Harald V will celebrate his 87th birthday later this month
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The King of Norway, 86, has cancelled further engagements due to an ongoing health battle, it has been confirmed.
The Norwegian royal household issued a statement to explain that King Harald V would not participate in royal events over the weekend, unlike originally planned.
They said: "His Majesty The King's sick leave is extended over the weekend.
"As a result, the King will not be present during the final day of the National Archery Competition indoors in Stjørdal on Sunday."
King Harald of Norway is 86-years-old
Getty
This comes as the Norwegian Royal Family announced the King's ongoing respiratory illness on Wednesday.
In a statement, they said: "His Majesty the King is on sick leave until Friday, February 2 due to a respiratory infection.
"His Royal Highness the Crown Prince Regent carries out the King's programme."
However, Harald's sick leave has now been extended for a further two days.
King Harald attending Queen Elizabeth II's funeral in 2022
PA
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.
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.
King Harald pictured with Queen Elizabeth II in 2018
PA
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Princess Kate and King Harald together in 2018
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The National Archery Competition that King Harald is expected to miss this weekend caters for all disciplines.
It is also one of Norway's largest annual sporting events.
Men and women of all ages contend for the title of either "Shooting King" or "Shooting Queen", and "Shooting Prince" or "Shooting Princess".