2 min read
Crowds are gathering outside the Royal Palace in Oslo, Norway as the country follows the news of King Harald’s worsening health.
“The King’s health condition is unchanged,” the Palace announced just before 5 p.m. local time today. King Harald’s entire family spent the day at the hospital with him. The Palace also shared Crown Prince Haakon’s trip to Færder National Park and Queen Sonja’s trip to Trøndelag have been canceled. This morning, the Palace noted “His Majesty the King’s health condition is extremely serious.”
Rune Hellestad//Getty Images
People gather at The Palace Square to pay their respects to King Harald V of Norway.
Rune Hellestad//Getty Images
A young child takes in the floral tributes.
Additionally, Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre canceled his planned trip to Germany. “I stand together with the entire country as we now send our warmest thoughts to the king and the rest of the royal family. I am confident that the king is being well taken care of, and that he is receiving good and compassionate treatment,” he told AFP in a statement.
In addition, the speaker of Norway’s parliament, Masud Gharahkhani, ended a trip to Iceland early, and the Lutheran Church of Norway’s College of Bishops have cut short their visit to Rome, where they met with Pope Leo, to return home.
“We have been following his medical history for over a week. Considering his age and knowing a little about his previous medical history, we think we have to accept that this is very serious and that we have to prepare for the worst,” Bjørn Tore Gjertsen, senior consultant in hematology at Haukeland University Hospital, told NRK (translated from Norwegian).
Rune Hellestad//Getty Images
People add to the tributes.
King Harald V, 89, has reigned since 1991. He is currently being treated for an infection related to the blood disease hemolytic anemia. His son, Crown Prince Haakon, is currently serving as regent.
Emily Burack (she/her) is the Deputy Digital Editor for Town & Country, where she covers entertainment, celebrities, the royals, and a wide range of other topics. Before joining T&C, she was the deputy managing editor at Hey Alma, a Jewish culture site. Follow her @emburack on Instagram, Twitter, and other social media platforms.