Norway’s King Harald, 89, in ‘extremely serious’ condition as royal family gathers at hospital bedside

King Harald V of Norway is in an “extremely serious” condition at Oslo University Hospital, with the royal household confirming that family members — including Crown Prince Haakon and Queen Sonja — have cancelled all engagements and gathered at the 89-year-old monarch’s bedside.

As reported by BBC News, the king — Europe’s oldest reigning head of state and on the throne since 1991 — has been hospitalised for over a week with haemolytic anaemia, a rare blood condition causing red blood cell reduction, fatigue and breathlessness. He had been receiving cortisone treatment.

Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre cancelled a planned trip to Germany, saying: “The whole nation is with us as we send warm thoughts to the king and the rest of the royal family.” Members of the public began laying flowers outside Oslo’s Palace Square.

Crown Prince Haakon, 53, has been serving as regent during his father’s leave. The Norwegian royal family has endured a turbulent 2026, with Crown Princess Mette-Marit receiving a lung transplant in June.