Norway's King Harald V's health has worsened, palace says - BBC News

Norway's King Harald remains in hospital receiving antibiotics for a bloodstream bacterial infection.

Image source, Ritzau Scanpix/Bo Amstrup via REUTERSByMallory MoenchPublished24 August 2026King Harald V of Norway's health has worsened, the palace has said, as he remains in hospital receiving antibiotics for a bacterial infection in his bloodstream.

The monarch has responded to treatment despite the deterioration in his condition, according to the palace, but he will remain at Oslo University Hospital, Rikshospitalet, and on leave from royal duties until further notice.

The 89-year-old, who has been on the throne since 1991, was admitted to hospital and put on sick leave a week ago.

His son, Crown Prince Haakon, 53, has been serving as regent while his father is on leave.

King Harald has been treated in recent weeks with cortisone for a rare blood condition, haemolytic anaemia. It causes the number of red blood cells in the body to be reduced, and leads to fatigue and shortness of breath.