Norwegian King battling respiratory infection as he cancels royal duties due to health concern
Harald the King of Norway is battling a respiratory infection and has pulled out of his public duties.
Getty
Harald the King of Norway is battling a respiratory infection and has pulled out of his public duties.
The 86-year-old monarch's illness was confirmed in a statement from the Norwegian Royal Household.
The statement indicated that King Harald would be back to work in a matter of days.
The Norwegian Royal Household said: "His Majesty the King is on sick leave until Friday 2 February due to a respiratory infection.
The statement indicated that King Harald would be back to work in a matter of days.
Getty
"His Royal Highness the Crown Prince Regent carries out the King's programme."
It comes as King Harald announced that he would never consider stepping down from the thrown shortly after the Queen of Denmark abdicated.
The royal said when asked about a possible abdication: "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 oldest monarch, was speaking to a Norwegian press centre in Oslo alongside his son, Crown Prince Haakon.
Frederik and Mary became King and Queen earlier this month
PA
Earlier this month, Queen Margrethe stepped down from the throne less than a year after she underwent extensive back surgery.
She said regarding her decision: "Time goes on, and the diseases increase. You no longer cope with the same things as you once could.
"In February this year [2023], I underwent extensive back surgery. It went well, thanks to the skilled healthcare staff who took care of me.
"Of course, the operation also gave rise to thinking about the future - whether the time had come to leave the responsibility to the next generation."
LATEST ROYAL NEWS:
When King Frederik X and his wife Queen Mary took to the throne, the King of Norway congratulated the pair.
PA
When King Frederik X and his wife Queen Mary took to the throne, the King of Norway congratulated the pair.
Harald said: "My family and I wish to convey our warmest congratulations to you as Denmark’s new King and Queen.
"Her Majesty Queen Margrethe has followed her country and her people through times of joy and sorrow with warmth, wisdom and dedication.
"Now it is your turn to carry the legacy forward, and follow Denmark into a new age."
You may like
