OSLO, Norway - Norway's 86-year-old King Harald, hospitalised for a week for an infection, will resume official duties when he participates in this week's national day celebrations, the palace said on Tuesday.
"His Majesty the king has been declared healthy as of May 17 and will be on the palace balcony to wave to the children's parade," a traditional part of Norway's national day festitivities, the palace said.
The popular monarch, who has ruled for 32 years in a largely ceremonial role, was admitted to hospital on May 8 with his third infection since last summer.
In this file photo taken on September 11, 2022 King Harald V of Norway arrives for a luncheon on the Dannebrog Royal Yacht, in Copenhagen, Denmark, during the 50th anniversary of Queen Margrethe II of Denmark's accession to the throne. Norway's 86-year-old King Harald V, admitted to hospital earlier this week, will be on sick leave until May 16, the eve of the country's national day, the palace announced on May 12, 2023.
Mads Claus Rasmussen / Ritzau Scanpix / AFP
He was discharged from the Oslo University Hospital on Monday but was ordered to continue to rest, raising doubts about whether he would be able to take part in the national day festivities. In addition to the infections, Harald has also been hospitalised on a number of occasions in recent years for Covid, knee and heart surgery, and respiratory problems. The former Olympic yachtsman, who has ruled since January 1991, has repeatedly declined to abdicate.
In this file photo taken on September 11, 2022 King Harald V of Norway arrives for a luncheon on the Dannebrog Royal Yacht, in Copenhagen, Denmark, during the 50th anniversary of Queen Margrethe II of Denmark's accession to the throne. Norway's 86-year-old King Harald V, admitted to hospital earlier this week, will be on sick leave until May 16, the eve of the country's national day, the palace announced on May 12, 2023.
Mads Claus Rasmussen / Ritzau Scanpix / AFP
He was discharged from the Oslo University Hospital on Monday but was ordered to continue to rest, raising doubts about whether he would be able to take part in the national day festivities. In addition to the infections, Harald has also been hospitalised on a number of occasions in recent years for Covid, knee and heart surgery, and respiratory problems. The former Olympic yachtsman, who has ruled since January 1991, has repeatedly declined to abdicate.