King Harald V of Norway was discharged from a Malaysian hospital this Sunday after being admitted last Tuesday while on vacation in the Asian country. As confirmed by the Reuters agency, the monarch has already left the country to return home on a medical evacuation plane. The information comes after it came to light this Saturday that the sovereign has received treatment for an infection and that, on the other hand, a temporary pacemaker has been installed.
The monarch was on vacation on the tourist island of Langkawi when he began to feel unwell. An event that occurred a few days after celebrating his 87th birthday. The latest information indicates that the plane, a SAS reconditioned to transport patients, took off from the island's airport at 1:05 p.m. Malaysian time. Queen Sonia traveled with him. The king will be admitted to a hospital when he lands in Norway.
"The king will be on sick leave for two weeks," read a statement issued by the Royal House. "During that period, the crown prince will be regent and will assume the constitutional duties of the king," the note stated. The truth is that the crown prince had already presided in the absence of his father in the past, so it is a familiar situation for him.
The monarch was also with his son Hakoon, crown prince. The first-born son had the opportunity to speak with several journalists a few days ago after his release from the hospital, ensuring that his father was "in good spirits" and that his condition had improved. Now we know that, finally, the King has been transferred to his country this Sunday.
The truth is that the Norwegian krone 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 longest 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 how his evolution continues.
