King Harald of Norway’s Final Public Appearances Before Hospitalization Showed His Changing Health

King Harald is hospitalized in ‘very serious’ condition after several years of health issues and noticeably declining mobility

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King Harald of Norway has been hospitalized, with the Royal House announcing on Aug. 27 that he is in “very serious” condition

The King’s wife, Queen Sonja, and son and heir, Crown Prince Haakon, cancelled all of their royal engagements to be at his bedside

King Harald’s final public appearances before his hospitalization hinted at a decline in health and mobility

King Harald of Norway has been hospitalized for the second time this year, with the Royal House announcing on Thursday, Aug. 27 that the 89-year-old monarch is in “very serious” condition.

The news comes after several years of health issues and months of noticeable decline in his mobility as he attended public royal engagements. The King was hospitalized in February for dehydration and exhaustion and had previously endured a leg operation in 2022 and pacemaker surgery in 2024.

Following his February treatment, he was seen using mobility aids, including arm braces, and was photographed seated during most royal events, including a state visit from King Philippe and Queen Mathilde of Belgium in late March.

Geert Vanden Wijngaert/Getty

King Harald and his wife, Queen Sonja, 89, also appeared to remain seated on the balcony of the Royal Palace as they waved to onlookers during the Norwegian Constitution Day festivities on May 17. They were joined on the balcony by the King’s son and heir, Crown Prince Haakon, his wife Crown Princess Mette-Marit, and their youngest child, Prince Sverre Magnus.

Terje Pedersen / NTB / AFP via Getty

One of the King’s final public engagements came in July, when the royal family hosted the Norwegian men’s national soccer team following their historic run in the 2026 World Cup, where they advanced to the quarter-finals for the first time ever.

During the reception at the Royal Palace in Oslo, King Harald appeared in good spirits, smiling and laughing as he spoke with the players.

Amanda Pedersen Giske / NTB / AFP via Getty

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Most recently, King Harald entered the hospital on Aug. 17, with the Royal House announcing at the time that it was due to side effects from other ongoing medical treatment. At the time, it was said that the King would be on sick leave for two weeks. Crown Prince Haakon was declared the regent in his father’s stead.

Less than a week later, the palace released an update on the monarch, saying that King Harald’s condition had “worsened” and he was receiving antibiotics for a “bloodstream bacterial infection.”

Cornelius Poppe / NTB / AFP via Getty

Then, on Aug. 27, the Royal House announced that the King’s health had once again “deteriorated” and his condition was “very serious.” Queen Sonja and Crown Prince Haakon cancelled their upcoming royal engagements to be by his bedside and members of the royal family were pictured arriving at the Oslo University Hospital to visit with the King.

Crowds of well-wishers also began laying flowers in Palace Square in Oslo, in front of the royal palace.

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King Harald has reigned for 35 years and became monarch at age 53 upon the death of his father, King Olav, in January 1991.

Despite his declining health and the fact that he has an heir of ruling age, the monarch previously said that he didn’t plan to give up the throne prior to his death. The King made the comment during a royal outing with Prince Haakon in January 2024, when the press asked him about abdicating like Queen Margrethe of Denmark recently had.

“No, I don’t really have it. I stand by what I have said all along. I have taken an oath to the Storting, and it lasts for life,” King Harald said, referencing the pledge he made to the Norwegian Parliament when he acceded to the throne.

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