King of Norway discharged from hospital but will remain on sick leave as his son takes up duties

King Harald has had several health concerns lately

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Dorothy Reddin

By Dorothy Reddin


Published: 14/03/2024

- 11:05

Updated: 14/03/2024

- 12:51

King Harald has had several health concerns as of late

The King of Norway has been discharged from hospital but is set to remain on sick leave as his son takes up duties.

The Norwegan royal household has released a statement confirming the health update.


They said: "His Majesty the King has today been discharged from the National Hospital and is doing well.

"The King is on sick leave until Monday, April 8 for rest and recovery."

King HaraldKing Harald is the Norwegian monarchGetty

​The monarch received a permanent pacemaker earlier this week and is doing well, according to the royal court.

The 87-year-old was hospitalised late last month for an infection while on holiday in Malaysia.

Harald received a temporary pacemaker at a hospital there on March 2.

He was later transferred to Norway for further treatment and received a pacemaker implant on Tuesday in a scheduled operation.

King HaraldKing Harald of Norway is 87 years oldGetty

This was to help compensate for a low heart rate.

The King's son, Crown Prince Haakon, has been carrying out his father's duties in the latter's absence.

King Harald previously claimed he would never consider stepping down from the thrown prematurely like the former Queen of Denmark.

On New Year's Eve 2023, Queen Margrethe II announced she would abdicate the throne, allowing her eldest son King Frederik X to become the monarch.

Princess Kate and King HaraldPrincess Kate and King Harald together in 2018PA
King Harald and Queen Elizabeth IIKing Harald pictured with Queen Elizabeth II in 2018PA

The Norwegian King said: "I stick by what I’ve always said, that I swore an oath to the Storting (Parliament) and it is for life."

Harald, Europe’s current oldest monarch, was speaking to a Norwegian press centre in Oslo alongside his son, Crown Prince Haakon.

The current Norwegian monarch visited the UK in 2018 on a State Visit, where he was photographed alongside Queen Elizabeth II and Princess Kate.

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