Norway's King Harald "Is Recovering Well" But Remains on Sick Leave

Update, 10/25/23: The Palace announced this morning that King Harald is "recovering well" but will remain on sick leave for the rest of the week. Below, the original story.

Original, 10/23/23: Norway's King Harald V tested positive for COVID-19, the Norwegian royal household announced yesterday.

"His Majesty the King has been diagnosed with corona and is on sick leave until he is symptom-free. The king has cold symptoms and stays at home," the brief statement from the palace read. This is his second time having COVID; in March 2022, he also tested positive and had mild symptoms. While he is on sick leave, his son and heir Crown Prince Haakon will serve as regent.

In May, King Harald was hospitalized with an infection, his third hospitalization since summer 2022. He was also on sick leave in late August with a cold, with Prince Haakon again serving as regent. He has been spotted using crutches on public engagements, including the recent state opening of parliament. Last weekend, he attended a soccer match between Norway and Spain in Oslo, and on October 20, he had an audience with the President of Iceland.

King Harald, now 86, ascended to the throne in 1991, following the death of his father King Olav V. He and his wife, Queen Sonja, have two children: Princess Märtha Louise and Prince Haakon. Though Princess Märtha Louise is older, until 1990, the Norwegian constitution held that only male heirs could inherit. (In fact, Princess Märtha Louise recently gave up her royal duties ahead of her wedding next summer to American shaman Durek Verrett.) Now, it is the eldest child, regardless of gender—making Prince Haakon and Princess Mette-Marit's eldest daughter, Princess Ingrid Alexandra, second in line for the throne.

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