The Norwegian krone has experienced recent hours full of uncertainty and tension. King Harald was admitted to a hospital in Malaysia last Tuesday after an illness. The monarch was on vacation in the Asian country when he began to feel unwell. An event that occurred a few days after celebrating his 81st birthday. It has now emerged that a pacemaker was implanted this Saturday.
"His Majesty the King has fallen ill during his vacation in Malaysia and is hospitalized there, suffering from an infection. The king receives good follow-up from the Malaysian and Norwegian medical staff," the Royal Household said days ago. This Friday, the monarchy once again shared a new medical report through its website. "His Majesty the King is still recovering. The King will remain in the hospital for a few more days to receive treatment and rest before returning home," they stated.
As they assured this Friday, Norway is already making preparations to transfer him back home. "The Norwegian Government is facilitating transportation and the Norwegian Armed Forces are responsible for the practical arrangements for his return to Norway," they explained in the statement, noting that the plane that will bring him back, a SAS Boeing 737-700, has already been transported. I was in Malaysia this Friday.
This Saturday, the palace issued a new statement in which they explained that the monarch had to have a temporary pacemaker implanted in the Malaysian hospital. "The pacemaker was implanted due to a low heart rate. The decision was made today and the procedure was successful," they said, adding that he is fine under the circumstances, but ensuring that he needs rest.
The truth is that alongside King Harald, there is also his son Hakoon, crown prince. The first-born son had the opportunity to speak with several journalists upon leaving the hospital, assuring that his father was "in good spirits" and that his condition had improved. This procedure should make the trip home safer. The Royal House is considering that the transfer could take place in a couple of days.
The truth is that the Norwegian royal crown has been plagued by health setbacks in recent times. The best-known case is that of Princess Mette-Marit, who since 2018 has suffered from chronic pulmonary fibrosis, a degenerative disease that scars the lung. As for King Harald, he has been Norway's head of state since 1991 and is Europe's oldest living monarch. In recent years, he has been repeatedly hospitalized for infections and has also undergone heart surgery. Now we will have to wait to find out when he will be able to return home and how his recovery continues.
