Norwegian Monarch King Harald V Hospitalized During Private Holiday in Tenerife
King Harald V of Norway, the oldest reigning sovereign in Europe, has been urgently admitted to a hospital in Tenerife, Spain, due to medical complications. The 89-year-old monarch, who celebrated his birthday just days ago, was rushed to the Hospital Universitario Hospiten Sur on the island after developing an infection and suffering from dehydration.
Royal Palace Confirms 'Satisfactory' Condition Amid Health Crisis
In an official statement released on Tuesday, February 24, the Royal Palace of Norway addressed the king's health, describing his current state as 'satisfactory' given the circumstances. The palace emphasized that King Harald is receiving appropriate medical care while on a private winter holiday with his wife, Queen Sonja, 88. The couple is staying on Tenerife, the largest of the Canary Islands located off the west coast of Africa.
The king's personal physician is scheduled to travel to Tenerife to assist Spanish healthcare professionals, with an initial health assessment expected to be provided on Wednesday. This incident marks a recurrence of health issues for King Harald, who faced similar problems two years ago during a holiday in Malaysia.
Monarchy Grapples with Health Concerns and Mounting Scandals
King Harald's latest hospitalization occurs against a backdrop of ongoing challenges for the Norwegian monarchy. Despite his advancing age and frail health, the king has consistently rejected any notion of abdication since ascending to the throne in 1991. He maintains that his oath before the Norwegian parliament was a lifelong commitment.
Simultaneously, the royal family finds itself embroiled in controversies. Crown Princess Mette-Marit, who married King Harald's son, Crown Prince Haakon, in 2001, has been named in documents associated with Jeffrey Epstein, revealing previously unknown connections to the deceased American sex offender.
Further complicating matters, Marius Borg Hoiby, the 29-year-old son of Crown Princess Mette-Marit from a prior relationship, is currently facing trial in Oslo on 38 charges, including four counts of rape and assault. Hoiby, who is not a member of the royal family, has denied the most serious allegations.
The convergence of King Harald's health emergency with these scandals underscores a period of significant strain for Norway's royal institution, drawing intense public and media scrutiny both domestically and internationally.
