King Harald of Norway, 87, hospitalised on holiday in Malaysia
King Harald V of Norway has been hospitalised during a trip to Malaysia, the palace has confirmed.
The monarch, who turned 87 on 21 February, is on a private holiday in the South East Asian country.
In a statement, the royal court said: "His Majesty the King has fallen ill during his holiday in Malaysia and is hospitalised there with an infection. The king receives good care from both Malaysian and Norwegian medical personnel."
It comes just weeks after it was announced on 31 January that King Harald was on "sick leave" until 2 February due to a respiratory infection.
He was hospitalised for infections in May and December last year, and treated for a fever last August.
ROYAL NEWS
Lady Gabriella Kingston's husband Thomas Kingston dead at 45 Lady Gabriella Kingston's husband Thomas Kingston dead at 45
Prince and Princess Michael of Kent put on brave face days after shock death of Thomas Kingston Prince and Princess Michael of Kent put on brave face days after shock death of Thomas Kingston
Queen Camilla steps in for King Charles as Prince William drops out of King Constantine II's thanksgiving service Queen Camilla steps in for King Charles as Prince William drops out of King Constantine II's thanksgiving service
In October 2020, he had an operation to replace a heart valve and back in 2003, he underwent surgery for bladder cancer.
Harald's son, Crown Prince Haakon, has been acting as regent while his father has been unable to carry out his duties.
Despite his health in recent years, King Harald has ruled out an abdication like Queen Margrethe of Denmark.
During a visit to Faktisk.np, a non-profit fact-checking website, the monarch said: "I stand by what I have said all along. I have taken an oath to the Storting, [parliament] and it lasts for life,” referring to the promise he made to the Norwegian Parliament when he acceded the throne in 1991.
He marked the 33rd year of his reign on 17 January.
LISTEN: How King Harald of Norway could be delaying change of reign due to Crown Princess Mette-Marit's health
Harald is the third child and only son of the late King Olav V of Norway and late Princess Martha of Sweden.
He married his long-term girlfriend Sonja Haraldsen on 29 August 1968. There were objections to their courtship as Sonja was a commoner.
Eventually, King Olav V gave his consent as Harald told his father that if he could not marry Sonja, he would not marry at all. As Harald was the only person in the line of succession to the throne at the time, it would have ended the reign of his family.
You may also like
Best photos from King Harald V of Norway's life and reign, including bond with late Queen Best photos from King Harald V of Norway's life and reign, including bond with late Queen
Harald and Sonja have two children - Princess Märtha Louise, born on 22 September 1971, and Crown Prince Haakon, born on 20 July 1973.
Crown Prince Haakon is the heir to the Norwegian throne because constitutional law at the time of Princess Martha Louise's birth dictated that only males could inherit the Norwegian throne.
Haakon has two children with his wife, Crown Princess Mette-Marit – Princess Ingrid Alexandra, 20, and Prince Sverre Magnus, 18, who are second and third in line to the throne respectively.
LOVE THE ROYALS? JOIN THE CLUB!
If you are reading this, the chances are you are obsessed with all things royalty – which is just as well because so are we! So obsessed, in fact, we’ve launched a club solely dedicated to covering them. So welcome to The HELLO! Royal Club. We would love you to join us there…
What is it?
Interactive community offering behind-the-scenes access, exclusive royal interviews, unmissable royal insights, and an illustrious royal Inner Circle.
Member benefits
Two weekly newsletters, one from Emily Nash
Video posts and audio notes from Emily Nash and the HELLO! Royal team
Access to our royal community and opportunity to interact with club writers and members
Participate in polls, comments and discussion threads
Access to our Ask Me Anything sessions with our journalists
Invitations to in-person and virtual events
A subscription to the digital edition of HELLO! Magazine (Worth £82 annually)*
Future ‘Inner Circle’ benefits
By royal decree
You are royally invited to join The HELLO! Royal Club – and then to go forth and spread the word to your fellow royal fans. See you in the club!
