His Majesty the King’s health deteriorated over the weekend, the palace announced. He is receiving antibiotics for a bacterial infection in his blood and has responded to the treatment, the statement said. His condition was stable, the palace added.

Medical History and Recent Hospitalization

Harald, 89, has been hospitalized since Monday at Oslo University Hospital due to fluid retention linked to cortisone treatment. He was placed on sick leave for two weeks. The king was also hospitalized in February with an infection and dehydration during a private trip with Queen Sonja in Tenerife.

The king, who has had a pacemaker fitted and has experienced multiple health issues in recent years, is the oldest reigning monarch in Europe. According to the palace statement, he is receiving ongoing care at the hospital.

Family Visits and Scandals

On Sunday, several members of the royal family visited the king in the hospital, including his wife, Queen Sonja, their son Crown Prince Haakon—who is acting as regent in his father’s absence,Haakon’s wife, Crown Princess Mette-Marit, the king’s sister, and his granddaughter, according to the newspaper Verdens Gang. None of them made statements upon leaving the hospital.

Harald has canceled a planned visit to the Trondelag region in central Norway on September 1 and 2, which follows the two-week sick leave period. The king has previously ruled out abdicating, despite his health challenges, and has said he will continue to serve as he took a lifelong oath before parliament.

Challenges for the Norwegian Royal Family

Harald’s health issues come amid a difficult year for the Norwegian royal family. His son Haakon’s wife, Crown Princess Mette-Marit, has been in the news for her close ties with the late U.S. financier and convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. Documents revealed in late January highlighted her correspondence with Epstein between 2011 and 2014, when he was already convicted.

These controversies have raised public concerns about the monarchy’s image and stability. The palace has not commented on the broader implications of these issues, focusing instead on the king’s medical condition and treatment.