Norway’s King Harald, 89, stable in hospital, needs close monitoring, says doctor

OSLO — Norway's King Harald, 89, is suffering from a skin infection on his leg and is responding well to treatment, though any infection in a man of his age is serious and requires close monitoring, his personal physician said on Wednesday.

"When people of almost 90 years old are admitted with an infection, it is serious," the physician, Bjorn Bendz, said in a statement released by the royal palace, which also said that more information would be published on Thursday.

"It is important that we get a good overview and control of the King's health before he is discharged—even if his condition is stable now," the statement said.

Europe's oldest head of state was taken to hospital on Tuesday on the Spanish island of Tenerife, suffering from an infection and dehydration. His personal physician arrived at the hospital on Wednesday, Norwegian media reported.

The king, who was on a private holiday with Queen Sonja, was reported to be in good condition, the palace said on Tuesday.

Harald has served as Norway's ceremonial head of state since 1991.

He was hospitalized in 2024 for an infection while on holiday in Malaysia, and received a temporary pacemaker there. He was later transferred to Norway, where a permanent device was implanted. — Reuters