Norwegians lay flowers at palace as King Harald's condition worsens

Norwegians gathered at Oslo’s Palace Square to lay flowers in front of the royal residence as the palace announced that King Harald V’s condition had become “extremely serious.” The 89‑year‑old monarch, who has reigned since 1991, has been in Oslo University Hospital for ten days treating a rare blood disorder, haemolytic anaemia, and the palace said his health remained unchanged late Thursday afternoon.

Queen Sonja and Crown Prince Haakon cancelled all official engagements to remain by the king’s bedside. The couple stayed several hours in the hospital before Haakon was seen returning with Crown Princess Mette‑Marit in the evening. Other members of the royal family also visited, including Princess Astrid, Haakon’s children Princess Ingrid Alexandra and Prince Sverre Magnus, and Mette‑Marit’s son Marius Borg Høiby, who is awaiting appeal of a rape conviction.

The royal family’s presence drew crowds to the palace, and the national television network paused its regular schedule to provide continuous coverage. Although no members of the royal household spoke publicly, the mood was sombre as Norwegians watched the comings and goings of the family.

Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre cancelled a planned trip to Germany, where he was scheduled to meet Chancellor Friedrich Merz, and released a statement saying, “The whole nation is with us as we send warm thoughts to the king and the rest of the royal family.” The statement reflected the national focus on the monarch’s health.

King Harald’s health has deteriorated in recent years. He was fitted with a pacemaker in 2024 after falling ill during a holiday in Malaysia and has had to scale back his official duties. The current treatment for haemolytic anaemia involves cortisone, a medication used to reduce inflammation and increase red blood cell production, which can help alleviate fatigue and shortness of breath.

The royal family has faced a challenging year in 2026. Crown Princess Mette‑Marit underwent a lung transplant in June after a diagnosis of pulmonary fibrosis in 2018. The transplant followed the sentencing of her son, Marius Borg Høiby, to four years in prison for two counts of rape. Høiby, who is 29, was convicted while his mother married Crown Prince Haakon when he was four; he is not a member of the royal family.

Earlier in the year, documents were released revealing that Mette‑Marit had maintained frequent contact with the deceased sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. She later apologized to the king and queen for her “poor judgement” and expressed regret for the friendship in a national television interview.

The palace’s update on the king’s condition came after a series of public appearances by the royal family, including visits to the hospital by the queen, crown prince, and other relatives. While the palace has not released details of the medical team involved, it confirmed that the king is under intensive care.

Norway’s oldest head of state has become a symbol of continuity for the country, and his illness has drawn widespread attention and support from the public. The royal household’s decision to keep the king’s condition private, except for brief updates, reflects a tradition of discretion in matters of personal health. The nation has largely responded with public displays of solidarity, such as the flowers laid outside the palace and the statements issued by government officials.

As the day progressed, crowds continued to gather at Palace Square, and the national broadcaster remained on standby for any further updates. The royal household has yet to provide additional details on the king’s treatment plan or expected timeline for recovery. The situation remains fluid, and the Norwegian public and government remain closely monitoring developments.