King Harald V of Norway, 89, the oldest reigning monarch in Europe, saw his health deteriorate over the weekend while being treated in hospital for a blood disease, the royal palace said in a statement.
The statement, published on Sunday, said the king was receiving antibiotics for a bacterial infection of the blood and that his sick leave, until then expected to last two weeks, had been extended for an indefinite period.
"His Majesty the King's state of health deteriorated over the weekend," the palace said, adding that his condition had since improved thanks to the treatment and that the situation was stable. It said Harald would not work "until further notice," leaving Crown Prince Haakon to continue standing in for him at the head of state.
Harald was admitted to the Rikshospitalet in Oslo last week to treat the side effects of a cortisone treatment for hemolytic anemia, a blood disease he suffers from. It was his second stay at the hospital in six months.
Crown Prince Steps In
Haakon, who is acting as regent while his father is unwell, has already visited him twice at the Rikshospitalet. He was photographed driving away from the hospital in his sedan, closely watched by Norwegian media, which have expressed concern for the king's health.
Two days before the palace statement, Harald had canceled a visit to Trondelag, leaving Queen Sonja to carry out the engagement alone.
Family Gathers at His Bedside
The royal family presented a united front on Sunday. Haakon visited his father alongside Queen Sonja, his daughter Crown Princess Ingrid Alexandra, his wife Crown Princess Mette-Marit and his aunt Princess Astrid.
A Difficult Stretch for the Royal Family
Norwegian newspapers have made the king's health a leading story, with major news sites inviting readers to send messages of support to the monarch and his family. The royal family has faced other hardships recently. This summer, Crown Princess Mette-Marit underwent a life-saving lung transplant, and her son from a previous relationship was convicted of rape.
Norway is now waiting anxiously for the next health bulletin on its king, the longest-serving monarch in Europe.
