Norway’s 89 year old King Harald V was hospitalized in Oslo for fluid buildup and put on two weeks of sick leave as his son steps in to rule.
Norway’s 89 year old monarch, King Harald V, was admitted to the hospital on Monday, August 17, 2026, after doctors noticed extra fluid building up in his body during a routine health check. The king was taken directly to Rikshospitalet, a major national hospital located in Norway’s capital city of Oslo.
Following his admission, the royal palace announced that the aging king would take at least two weeks of official sick leave to rest and receive treatment. While King Harald recovers under medical care, his son, Crown Prince Haakon, has officially stepped forward to act as the temporary leader and handle all royal duties for the country.
The health issue started after King Harald received medical treatment for a blood condition known as hemolytic anemia, which causes the body to destroy red blood cells faster than it can create new ones. To treat the illness, doctors gave the king a medication called cortisone over the past few weeks.
While the medicine helped treat the blood problem, it caused a side effect that made extra water collect inside his body, making it necessary for him to stay at the hospital so doctors could safely remove the extra fluid.
See Also: Jason Arday’s Family Speaks Out After Tragic Death of Youngest Black Cambridge Professor
Royal officials released an official statement explaining the exact reason behind the king’s stay in the hospital. In their message to the public, the royal house explained, “In recent weeks, the King has been receiving treatment with cortisone for hemolytic anemia, a blood disease. This has caused him to accumulate fluid in his body that requires hospitalization.” The palace also confirmed the temporary change in leadership, stating, “The King is on sick leave for two weeks,” and adding that “His Royal Highness the Crown Prince is Regent during this period.”
The main reason this news is drawing widespread attention is because King Harald is currently Europe’s oldest living king and has faced several health challenges over recent years. In early 2024, he suffered a serious infection while on a private vacation in Malaysia and had to get a small device called a pacemaker placed in his heart to help it beat properly. Despite his age and recurring hospital visits, the popular king has repeatedly stated that he promised to serve his country for his entire life and has no plans to quit or hand over his crown permanently.
For now, the people of Norway are wishing their beloved king a quick recovery while his son manages the nation’s official business. Palace officials noted that they will review the king’s official calendar in the coming days to decide which future events need to be rescheduled while he gets the rest he needs.
