King Harald V of Norway has experienced a notable "deterioration" in his health after spending ten days hospitalized at the Oslo University Hospital, and he is currently "very serious".
"The health of His Majesty the King has deteriorated. The health condition of His Majesty the King is very serious," the Norwegian Royal House has reported in a brief statement released this Monday.
In the same note, it is detailed that the Crown Prince, Haakon, who is acting as regent at this time, and his mother, Queen Sonia, "cancel all their planned activities" for the coming days.
According to various Norwegian media, numerous members of the royal family have traveled to the hospital, including Queen Sonia, Haakon, Princess Mette-Marit, and the monarch's sister, Princess Astrid, 94 years old, to closely follow the king's progress.
For his part, the Norwegian Prime Minister, Jonas Gahr Store, has declared himself "deeply moved" by the information about the sovereign's health. "I carry the whole country with me to send our most sincere wishes to the king and the rest of the royal family. I trust that the King will receive excellent care and attentive treatment," said the head of government, who has decided to suspend the trip he had planned to Germany to meet with Chancellor Friedrich Merz.
Meanwhile, in an atmosphere of great national concern, dozens of citizens have gathered at Slottsplassen, the official residence of the kings of Norway, where they have left bouquets of flowers and lit candles while waiting for news about Harald V's situation.
The monarch, 89 years old, was hospitalized on August 17 due to fluid retention detected after a medical examination related to the treatment he is undergoing for the hemolytic anemia he suffers from.
On the throne since 1991, Harald V had to be treated earlier this year for a skin infection in a leg, which required his hospitalization at the University Hospital of Santa Cruz de Tenerife during his vacation.