---
title: "Health of Norway’s king deteriorates while in hospital, palace says"
description: "OSLO, Aug 23 (Reuters) - The health of Norway's King Harald, 89, has deteriorated during the weekend while in hospital, the royal household said in a statement on Sunday."
type: "NewsArticle"
publisher: "Daily Maverick"
site: "https://www.dailymaverick.co.za"
section: "World"
author: "Reuters"
author_url: "https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/author/reuters/"
canonical_url: "https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2026-08-23-health-of-norway-s-king-deteriorates-while-in-hospital-palace-says/"
published: "2026-08-23T21:34:02"
lang: "en-ZA"
word_count: 61
---

# Health of Norway’s king deteriorates while in hospital, palace says

> OSLO, Aug 23 (Reuters) - The health of Norway's King Harald, 89, has deteriorated during the weekend while in hospital, the royal household said in a statement on Sunday.

By Reuters · Published 23 August 2026, 23:34 SAST

## Content

Harald, Europe's oldest current head of state, was hospitalised on Monday and was treated for anaemia.

"His Majesty the King's health deteriorated over the weekend. The King is receiving antibiotics for a bacterial infection in his blood, and has responded to this treatment," the palace said, while adding that his condition was stable.

(Reporting by Terje Solsvik, editing by Gwladys Fouche)