It has been a profoundly difficult year for Norway’s royal family. In addition to a string of public scandals, the health of its most senior members has deteriorated sharply — most recently that of 89-year-old King Harald V. According to an official statement from the Royal Palace released late Sunday (23 August 2026), the monarch has been hospitalized at Oslo University Hospital for a bacterial bloodstream infection and is currently undergoing antibiotic treatment. His condition is described as stable, and he has responded well to therapy.
A Year of Mounting Pressures
The king’s hospitalization comes just one week after his admission and follows weeks of sick leave due to complications from hemolytic anemia — a chronic blood disorder for which he had been receiving cortisone therapy. That treatment led to fluid retention, necessitating urgent medical care. Since ascending the throne in 1991, King Harald has faced repeated hospitalizations linked to age-related health issues.
During his absence, Crown Prince Haakon — heir to the throne and son of the king — has assumed the duties of regent. Haakon’s wife, Princess Mette-Marit, has also been at the center of intense public scrutiny this year — not only for her own serious health challenges but also for controversies involving her past and her son.
Princess Mette-Marit’s Health and Controversies
In July, the 53-year-old princess underwent a life-saving double lung transplant after years of living with a progressive, incurable pulmonary disease. Her recovery remains delicate, yet her personal history has continued to dominate headlines. In late January, U.S. court documents revealed previously undisclosed correspondence between Mette-Marit and convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein — spanning from 2011 to 2014, well after his 2008 conviction. Some exchanges were noted for their unusually familiar tone, prompting renewed debate about judgment and transparency within the royal household.
Compounding the strain is the legal situation involving her son from a prior relationship, Marius Borg Høiby. The 29-year-old was sentenced in June to four years in prison without parole for two rapes and 32 additional charges — including assault against a former partner. Høiby has filed an appeal against the verdict.
Together, these developments have placed extraordinary pressure on Norway’s monarchy — testing public trust, institutional resilience, and the family’s ability to navigate both medical emergencies and reputational crises in full view of the world.