Tag Archives: Norwegian Royal Court

King Harald V of Norway Hospitalized for Hemolytic Anemia, Palace Confirms

Portrait courtesy of Det Kongelige Hoff

The Royal Court of Norway announced that His Majesty King Harald V of Norway was admitted this afternoon to Rikshospitalet in Oslo following a medical examination.

The 89-year-old King has been receiving cortisone for hemolytic anemia in recent weeks. The Royal Court stated that the treatment has led to fluid accumulation in his body, which requires treatment in hospital.

King Harald will be on sick leave for two weeks. During this period, His Royal Highness Crown Prince Haakon of Norway will serve as Regent.

The hospitalization comes after King Harald V was admitted to hospital while on a private holiday in Tenerife on February 23rd, 2026. At the time, the King was treated for an infection and dehydration at Hospital Universitario Hospiten Sur in Santa Cruz de Tenerife. His condition was described as good under the circumstances.

King Harald V has experienced several health-related hospitalizations in recent years. In February 2024, he was admitted to hospital while vacationing with Her Majesty Queen Sonja of Norway on the island of Langkawi, Malaysia, after developing a serious infection. During that hospitalization, he received a temporary pacemaker because of a low heart rate.

The King returned to Norway after being medically evacuated from Malaysia and has continued to carry out his constitutional duties, although his health has required periodic medical treatment and periods of sick leave.

King Harald V of Norway Hospitalized in Tenerife for Infection and Dehydration.

Portrait courtesy of Kimm Saatvedt/ Det Kongelige Hoff

The Royal Court of Norway announced that His Majesty King Harald V of Norway was admitted this evening to the Hospital Universitario Hospiten Sur in Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Canary Islands.

The 89-year-old King is being treated for an infection and dehydration. His condition is described as good under the circumstances.

The Royal Court further stated that the King’s personal physician will travel to Tenerife to assist the local medical team.

The King and Her Majesty Queen Sonja of Norway are currently on a private holiday on the island of Tenerife during their annual winter break.

An update on the King’s health will be provided on Wednesday, February 25, after the personal physician has assessed the situation.

This is the second hospitalization of the King while on private holiday in recent years. In February 2024, while Their Majesties were vacationing on the island of Langkawi, Malaysia, the King was admitted to hospital after developing a serious infection.

During that hospitalization, he received a temporary pacemaker due to a low heart rate. The device was implanted to stabilize his condition and ensure a safer return to Norway while he recovered from the infection.

Their Majesties were subsequently medically evacuated to Norway aboard Scandinavian Airlines flight SK7186. The aircraft was a Boeing 737-783 configured for emergency medical evacuation.