Harald V was admitted to Oslo University Hospital on August 17. Prior to that, he had been receiving treatment for hemolytic anemia, which led to fluid retention in his body. Later, the king was diagnosed with a bacterial blood infection and prescribed antibiotics. Initially, doctors reported that the monarch's condition was stable. However, the situation then changed. On August 27, the royal court announced a serious deterioration in Harald V's health and assessed his condition as very serious. Against this backdrop, Crown Prince Haakon continued to perform the duties of regent while his father was in the hospital. The last years for the 89-year-old monarch were not easy. In February 2026, Harald was hospitalized during a vacation in the Canary Islands due to an infection. In 2024, the king fell ill during a trip to Malaysia, after which he was fitted with a temporary pacemaker and then transferred to Norway for further treatment. Harald V ascended to the Norwegian throne in 1991. His death marked the end of more than 30 years of reign for a monarch who was perceived in the country as close to society and a modern king.
