Norway's King Harald V hospitalized for treatment

On August 17, 2026, 89-year-old King Harald V of Norway was admitted to a hospital following a medical examination. The Royal Palace announced that the monarch, Europe’s longest-serving head of state, has been granted a two-week sick leave to recover.

The hospitalization was necessitated by complications arising from the treatment of hemolytic anemia, a condition characterized by the destruction of red blood cells. According to official reports, the King had been undergoing cortisone therapy in recent weeks, which resulted in fluid retention that now requires hospital observation. During his absence, his son, Crown Prince Haakon, will serve as regent.

King Harald has ascended to the throne in 1991 and has faced recurring health issues in recent years, including the installation of a pacemaker and the reduction of his official duties. Despite these persistent health challenges, the King has consistently ruled out the possibility of abdication, citing his lifelong oath to the Norwegian parliament. He remains under medical supervision, and his return to official duties is expected after his two-week recovery period.