King Harald’s health struggles

Looking at the health struggles of King Harald as His Majesty receives care in the National Hospital in Oslo.

King Harald of Norway is currently hospitalised at Rikshospitalet, where the Royal Court says His Majesty’s health is ‘deteriorating’. The King was being treated for haemolytic anaemia in recent weeks. The rare blood condition is caused by an abnormally rapid destruction of red blood cells, which can lead to fatigue, paleness and shortness of breath. As a result of the cortisone treatment, fluid accumulated in the body, which required treatment in hospital.

The Royal Court made an extraordinary statement late Sunday evening that caught many off guard and sent alarm bells ringing. “His Majesty is receiving antibiotics for a bloodstream bacterial infection and has responded to this treatment. The situation is stable. His Majesty will remain at the Oslo University Hospital, Rikshospitalet, and is on sick leave until further notice.”

Norway’s King, who is Europe’s eldest-reigning-monarch, has had years of health struggles and hospitalisations. We take a look at some of those occasions.

• August 23, 2026: The King’s health deteriorated while he was hospitalised at the National Hospital. He received antibiotics for a bloodstream bacterial infection. The King’s condition is “stable.”
• August 17, 2026: The King was hospitalised after being treated with cortisone for haemolytic anaemia. 
• February 24, 2026: The King was hospitalised on the island of Tenerife, where His Majesty received treatment for infection and dehydration.
• February 27, 2024: An infection led to King Harald being hospitalised in Malaysia. His Majesty underwent surgery to insert a temporary pacemaker and was medically evacuated back to Norway. A permanent pacemaker was later inserted following his return.
• May 2023: The King was admitted to the National Hospital with an infection. He was discharged a few days later. 
• December 2022: The King was treated for an infection with intravenous antibiotics while hospitalised at Rikshospitalet. He was discharged a few days later and was able to celebrate Christmas. 
• August 2022: The King was admitted to the National Hospital for evaluation due to fever. He was diagnosed with an infection, treated with intravenous antibiotics, and discharged four days later.
• October 2020: The King was hospitalised with dizziness, and His Majesty had a new heart valve inserted. 
• April 2005: The King underwent cardiac surgery on the heart valve between the heart and the aorta.
• December 2003: The King underwent surgery for bladder cancer.

Information provided by NTB.