King Harald of Norway's condition worsens as family gathers

Members of Norway's royal family gathered at Oslo University Hospital on Thursday after the Royal Court said King Harald V's condition had deteriorated and was now "very serious." The 89-year-old monarch has been in hospital since August 17, initially treated for a bacterial infection in his blood.

Crown Prince Haakon and Queen Sonja have cancelled all planned events, the palace said in a statement. Norwegian media reported that the crown prince, the queen and other family members, including Crown Princess Mette-Marit and Princess Astrid, were seen arriving at the hospital on Thursday morning.

Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre said in a statement to the media: "The whole nation is with us as we send warm thoughts to the king and the rest of the royal family."

The king was admitted to hospital on August 17 following a medical examination. The palace said at the time that he had been receiving cortisone for haemolytic anaemia, a rare blood condition that reduces red blood cells and causes fatigue and shortness of breath. The treatment led to fluid accumulation in his body, which required hospital care.

A palace statement earlier this week said the king's health deteriorated over the weekend and that he was receiving antibiotics for a bacterial blood infection, to which he had responded. The situation was described as stable at that point, with the king on sick leave until further notice.

Crown Prince Haakon, 53, has been serving as regent while his father is on sick leave. The king, who has reigned since 1991, is Europe's oldest head of state and has ruled out abdication, saying his oath as king was for life.

King Harald has faced multiple health problems in recent years. He was fitted with a pacemaker in 2024 after falling ill on holiday in Malaysia, and in February 2026 he was hospitalised in Tenerife with an infection and dehydration. In April 2024 the palace announced a permanent reduction in his public engagements out of consideration for his age.

The king's hospitalisation comes during a difficult period for the Norwegian royal family. Crown Princess Mette-Marit received a lung transplant in June after being diagnosed with pulmonary fibrosis in 2018. Her son, Marius Borg Høiby, was sentenced to four years in prison in June after being convicted of two counts of rape, and she has faced scrutiny over her past contact with Jeffrey Epstein.