Norway’s King Harald V was in a “very serious” condition in hospital on Thursday, the royal court said, as members of the royal family gathered at his bedside.
The 89-year-old monarch, who has been Norway’s ceremonial head of state since 1991, was admitted to hospital on August 17 and is being treated for a bacterial infection in his bloodstream.
Hundreds of people gathered outside the Royal Palace in central Oslo following news of the deterioration in his condition, with many leaving flowers as they awaited further updates.
Crown Prince Haakon and Queen Sonja cancelled their scheduled engagements and were among family members seen arriving at Oslo University Hospital, where the king is receiving treatment.
Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Stoere cancelled a planned trip to Germany because of the king’s condition.
“The whole nation is with us as we send warm thoughts to the king and the rest of the royal family,” Stoere said.
The speaker of Norway’s parliament, Masud Gharahkhani, also cut short an official visit to Iceland, while members of parliament’s Foreign Relations and Defence Committee were returning from South Korea.
The Church of Norway’s College of Bishops, which was in Rome for a visit with the pope, also reportedly made arrangements to return home as soon as possible.
King Harald, Europe’s oldest living monarch, has faced a number of health problems in recent years. In 2024, he announced that he would reduce his official duties because of his age but ruled out abdicating.
At the time, Harald said his oath as king was for life.