King Harald — © AFP
Norway’s King Harald had a pacemaker fitted in Oslo on Tuesday. This is reported by the royal palace, which speaks of a “successful” operation.
The 87-year-old king contracted an infection during a holiday in Malaysia and had to stay in hospital there for several days. He received a temporary pacemaker to ensure his return flight was safe. On Sunday, March 3, he was repatriated to Oslo, where he was hospitalized.
The palace says that the temporary pacemaker has now been replaced by a permanent one. “The operation was a success, and the king is doing well,” it said. The monarch will remain in the hospital for a few more days. In the meantime, the 50-year-old Crown Prince Haakon will take over the duties.
King Harald, who has needed crutches to get around for some time, is in poor health. He has undergone heart surgery in the past, suffered from breathing problems, and has been battling multiple infections. At the end of January he had to interrupt his work for several days due to a respiratory infection.
The Norwegian monarch has been on the throne for 33 years and celebrated his 87th birthday on February 21. He is one of the oldest reigning monarchs in Europe.