King Harald of Norway at the Royal Palace in Oslo, Norway on February 13, 2024.Photo:OLE BERG-RUSTEN/NTB/AFP via Getty
OLE BERG-RUSTEN/NTB/AFP via Getty
King Harald Vof Norway is celebrating the Easter season with loved ones.
On Wednesday, the Norwegian Royal House released a new portrait of the King, 87, with family in honor of the holiday. The image was significant as the first official photo of the monarch was released following hismedical scare during a Malaysian vacationin February.
The photo showed King Harald seated and smiling beside his wife,Queen Sonja. The royal couple’s sonCrown Prince Haakonand daughter-in-lawCrown Princess Mette-Maritstood behind them along with grandchildrenPrincess Ingrid Alexandra, 20, and Prince Sverre Magnus, 18.
“The Royal Family wishes everyone a very happy Easter 🐣 The royal couple and the Crown Prince family have gathered at Bygdø Kongsgård at the start of Easter week,” the court captioned the portrait onInstagram, per a translation.
The King may have been traveling to celebrate his birthday, as he turned 87 on Feb. 21.
“His Majesty the King has fallen ill during his holiday stay in Malaysia and is hospitalized there, with an infection. The King receives good care from both Malaysian and Norwegian medical personnel,” the Norwegian Royal House said in astatementon Feb. 27.
In anupdatethe following day, the court said that the King’s physician was in Langkawi and confirmed that the royal “is improving from his infection. "
“His Majesty is well taken care of at the hospital and is receiving good treatment,” the statement said.
King Harald V of Norway heads to lunch with government members on February 24, 2024 in Oslo.CORNELIUS POPPE/NTB/AFP via Getty
CORNELIUS POPPE/NTB/AFP via Getty
On March 12, King Harald successfully received the permanent pacemaker and remained in the hospital in Oslo for a few days. The royal was cleared to head home two days later, and the court confirmed he would extend his work leave.
“His Majesty The King has today been discharged from Rikshospitalet and is doing well. The King is on sick leave until Monday, 8 April, for rest and recuperation,” said a statement on March 14. “His Royal Highness The Crown Prince Regent will take care of The King’s constitutional duties during this period.”
King Harald and Crown Prince Haakon visit Faktisk.no at Norwegian Press Association on January 23, 2024 in Oslo.Rune Hellestad - Corbis/Getty
Rune Hellestad - Corbis/Getty
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While the King of Norway has had severalhealth issuesin recent years, including hospitalizations for infections in December 2022 and May 2023, he insisted he hadno plans to abdicateafterQueen Margretheof Denmark voluntarily stepped down from the throne at the start of the year.
source: people.com
