- Monarch under medical supervision in Spain
- Palace issues health update from Tenerife
- Fresh health scare for Europe’s oldest king
Concern for King Harald V of Norway: The 89-year-old monarch has been admitted to hospital during a winter vacation in Tenerife. According to the Royal Court, he was taken to the Hospital Universitario Hospiten Sur and admitted due to an infection and dehydration. “His condition is, under the circumstances, good,” the palace explained. Harald traditionally spends this time of year in the south with his wife, Queen Sonja. He celebrated his birthday just a few days ago.
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King Harald V Suddenly Hospitalized While on Vacation
The stay on the Spanish island was meant to be a break from the demands of royal life. Instead of relaxation, medical treatment has now become the priority. The palace confirmed that the king is being treated for an infection and dehydration. Despite the reassuring statement that he is doing well, the news has caused concern within the Norwegian royal family and among royal watchers worldwide.
Particularly notable is that the king’s personal physician was immediately sent to Tenerife to assist the local doctors and closely monitor the treatment.
Personal Physician Travels to Tenerife for Assessment
The king’s personal physician is expected to personally assess the situation. According to the court, he will provide a comprehensive evaluation after his arrival, on the basis of which further decisions will be made.
An official update on the monarch’s condition has been announced for Wednesday. The decision to fly in his personal doctor demonstrates how seriously the palace is treating the situation, even though his condition has been described as stable. In recent years, Harald V has repeatedly taken sick leave, which has further heightened concerns about his health.
Heart Problems After Trip to Malaysia
In 2024, a trip abroad had serious consequences for the Norwegian king. Shortly after his birthday, he fell seriously ill in Malaysia and had to be fitted with a temporary pacemaker in order to return home. He was transported to Oslo on a special Norwegian aircraft, where the temporary device was later replaced with a permanent pacemaker.
His recovery took considerable time, and the monarch was repeatedly absent from official duties. The current infection therefore affects an 89-year-old head of state with a history of health challenges, who nevertheless remains committed to his role.
Europe’s Oldest Monarch Continues to Reject Abdication
Harald V is currently Europe’s oldest reigning monarch. Despite recurring health problems, he has repeatedly emphasized that he intends to serve for life and is not considering abdication.
At the same time, the Norwegian royal family is facing additional scrutiny. The trial involving Marius Borg Høiby, the son of Crown Princess Mette-Marit, as well as renewed discussion about the Crown Princess’s past social connections to Jeffrey Epstein, have put pressure on the monarchy’s public image. Against this backdrop, the king’s illness comes at a particularly sensitive time for Norway’s royal house.
