King Harald V of Norway has returned to work after a long sick leave following two surgeries to implant pacemakers. At 87 years old, he is scaling back his official activities and making adjustments to his program due to his age. The royal household stated that there will be a permanent reduction in the number and scope of activities in which the king participates, and practical arrangements will be made for his official duties. Despite his health issues, Harald has no plans to abdicate the throne, unlike his second cousin Queen Margrethe II of Denmark, who stepped down earlier this year.
Harald fell ill in late February during a private holiday in Malaysia, where he received a temporary pacemaker due to a low heart rate. He was flown back to Norway and underwent a second surgery to receive a permanent pacemaker at Oslo’s university hospital. Initially expected to be on sick leave for two weeks, his absence was extended multiple times. During this period, his son Crown Prince Haakan has been fulfilling the king’s duties. Harald’s role as Norway’s head of state is ceremonial, and he holds no political power. He became king in 1991 following the death of his father, King Olav.
The first scheduled tasks for King Harald upon his return to work include receiving Norwegian military officers at the royal palace in Oslo. The royal household announced that there will be adjustments to his program in the future, reflecting his age and health condition. It is clear that the king will be reducing his official activities, but the specifics of these changes have not been detailed. Despite facing health challenges and undergoing surgeries, Harald is determined to continue fulfilling his duties as Norway’s monarch and has shown no intention of abdicating the throne.
Queen Sonja, Harald’s wife, has been by his side throughout his health struggles and recovery. The royal couple was on a private holiday in Malaysia when the king fell ill, requiring emergency medical attention. Sonja has been a constant source of support for Harald during this challenging time and will likely continue to assist him as he transitions back into his royal duties. The Norwegian people have shown their support and well wishes for the king’s recovery, and they will undoubtedly continue to rally behind him as he returns to work and adjusts his schedule to accommodate his health needs.
Crown Prince Haakan has temporarily taken on the king’s duties during his absence due to health reasons. The prince, who is 50 years old, has been fulfilling various ceremonial responsibilities on behalf of his father. While Haakan has a supportive role in the royal family, his primary duty remains to support his father and aid in his recovery and return to work. As Harald makes adjustments to his program and scales back his official activities, Haakan will likely take on more responsibilities to ensure the smooth functioning of the royal household and the continuation of Norway’s monarchy. The transition back to work for Harald will be supported by his family and advisors as they navigate the changes in his official duties.
The Norwegian people have a deep respect and affection for King Harald, who has served as their monarch for over three decades. Despite facing health challenges and undergoing surgeries, Harald has shown resilience and determination in continuing his royal duties. The adjustments to his program and the reduction in his official activities are necessary considerations given his age and health condition. The royal household will work closely with Harald to ensure that his transition back to work is smooth and that he can continue to fulfill his ceremonial responsibilities as Norway’s king. As the oldest monarch in Europe, Harald’s return to work is a testament to his dedication to his role and his commitment to serving his country and its people.
