Norway's King Harald, 89, Hospitalized After Cortisone Triggers Fluid Buildup
Updated
Updated · The Independent · Aug 18
Norway's King Harald, 89, Hospitalized After Cortisone Triggers Fluid Buildup
3 articles · Updated · The Independent · Aug 18
Summary
King Harald was admitted to Oslo's National Hospital on Monday afternoon after fluid accumulated in his body and required in-hospital treatment, the palace said.
Recent cortisone treatment for hemolytic anemia caused the complication; the 89-year-old monarch has already been on sick leave for two weeks.
Crown Prince Haakon is serving as regent during that period, temporarily taking over the king's constitutional duties.
Harald has faced repeated health setbacks, including a skin infection in Spain in February and a pacemaker procedure after falling ill in Malaysia two years ago.
Norway's king since 1991, Harald has remained on the throne despite scaling back public engagements and ruling out abdication.
With mounting health crises and dark family scandals, is King Harald's temporary sick leave actually the quiet beginning of a new Norwegian era?
How will Crown Prince Haakon salvage the monarchy's reputation while juggling his father's failing health and his family's severe criminal controversies?