Norway’s King Harald, 89, is in a “very serious” condition after his health deteriorated while undergoing treatment in hospital, the royal court said on Thursday.

Harald, Europe’s oldest living monarch and Norway’s ceremonial head of state since 1991, was admitted to hospital on August 17 with a bacterial infection in his blood.

The royal palace said Crown Prince Haakon and Queen Sonja had cancelled scheduled engagements following the king’s deteriorating health.

Members of the royal family, including the crown prince and queen, were seen arriving at Oslo University Hospital, where Harald is being treated, Norwegian media reported.

Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre also cancelled a planned visit to Germany due to the king’s condition.

“The whole nation is with us as we send warm thoughts to the king and the rest of the royal family,” Støre said in a statement.

Parliament Speaker Masud Gharahkhani cut short an official visit to Iceland and was returning to Norway.

The parliament’s Committee on Foreign Relations and Defence also said its members would return home from South Korea.

Media reported that the Lutheran Church of Norway’s College of Bishops, which was in Rome for a rare meeting with the Pope, said it would return home as soon as possible.

In 2024, Harald said he would reduce his official engagements because of his age but ruled out abdication, saying his oath as king was for life.

(NAN)