While vacationing in Spain, Norway’s King Harald was hospitalized at Tenerife hospital on the Canary Islands. The Royal House of Norway made the announcement on February 24.
The King and Queen Sonja of Norway recently attended Italy’s Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympic Games. On February 11, the King and his son, Crown Prince Haakon, attended the opening of the Total Defence Year 2026 in Oslo.
Norway’s King Harald was hospitalized while on vacation
Photo Credit: HEIKO JUNGE/NTB/AFP via Getty Images
According to a palace statement, the 89-year-old king was hospitalized for an infection and dehydration. “His Majesty the King was admitted to the Hospital Universitario Hospiten Sur in Tenerife this evening. The King is being treated for infection and dehydration, and his condition is reportedly good,” according to the palace. “The King’s personal physician will travel to Tenerife to assist the local health service. The Royal Couple is currently on a private stay in Tenerife for their winter holiday.”
An update will be provided today following a doctor’s assessment, the palace statement reported.
King Harald’s hospitalization comes during a turbulent time for Norway. His son Haakon’s wife, Crown Princess Mette-Marirt, is reportedly named more than a thousand times in the most recent Jeffrey Epstein files. These were released by the U.S. Department of Justice on January 30. The evidence reportedly reveals a close friendship between the princess and Jeffrey.
On February 6, she formally apologized and expressed regret for her association with the convicted sex offender. She said she is sorry for “the situation that I have put the Royal Family in, especially the King and Queen.”
Around this time, Marus Borg Høiby, the princess’ son from a previous relationship, appeared in court on 38 charges, including four counts of rape. The trial, which began on February 3, is anticipated to conclude in mid-March.
While the King has said he has no plans to abdicate, the Crown Prince is acting as regent while his father is abroad.
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