The 87-year-old monarch returned to Norway on a medical plane late on Sunday, a day following being fitted with a pacemaker while on holiday in Malaysia.
Harald V arrived at Rikshospitalet, Oslo’s main hospital, in an ambulance escorted by the police. The palace announced that he will be on sick leave for two weeks, so Crown Prince Haakon (Haakon) will take over.
Europe’s oldest reigning monarch was hospitalized with an infection during a trip to the island of Langkawi.
On Saturday, the palace said he had been fitted with a temporary pacemaker, which his personal doctor said would help make his return safer.
Harald V arrived in Malaysia with his wife Queen Sonja (Sonia) to celebrate his 87th birthday.
The Scandinavian Airlines medical evacuation plane that took off from Oslo on Thursday arrived in Langkawi on Friday. The Boeing 737-700 was previously used as an air ambulance.
According to Flightradar24, the same plane left Langkawi for Sharjah in the United Arab Emirates on Sunday before departing for Oslo Airport. The royal palace said Sonja was traveling with the monarch.
According to the Norwegian news agency NTB, which quoted the information provided by Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Store (Jonas Gar Stiorė), transporting the king to Norway will cost regarding 2 million. Norwegian kroner (175 thousand euros) and will be financed from the defense budget.
Harald V has been seen using crutches and has had a number of health problems in recent years. In October 2020, he underwent successful heart valve replacement surgery following being hospitalized for breathing problems.
Harald V has repeatedly denied speculation that he might step down, as his distant relative Queen Margrethe II of Denmark did.
Harald V’s duties as head of state of Norway are representative, he has no political powers. He ascended the throne in 1991, following the death of his father, King Olav V.
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2024-04-19 19:58:43
