Norway‘s King Harald, Europe’s oldest reigning monarch, is receiving treatment for a leg infection, with his personal physician describing his condition as serious given his advanced age of 89.
King Harald was admitted to hospital on the Spanish island of Tenerife on Tuesday, initially suffering from an infection and dehydration.
His personal physician reportedly arrived at the hospital on Wednesday.
The 89-year-old is responding well to treatment, according to a statement from the royal palace on Wednesday.
However, his personal physician, Bjorn Bendz, stressed the gravity of the situation.
“When people of almost 90 years old are admitted with an infection, it is serious,” Dr Bendz said, adding that more information would follow on Thursday.
The palace statement also noted: “It is important that we get a good overview and control of the King’s health before he is discharged – even if his condition is stable now.”
The king was on a private holiday with Queen Sonja when he was hospitalised.
Harald has served as Norway’s ceremonial head of state since 1991.
He was hospitalised in 2024 for an infection while on holiday in Malaysia, and received a temporary pacemaker there. He was later transferred to Norway, where a permanent device was implanted.