King Harald (86) was declared ill and admitted to the National Hospital in Oslo two days ago to receive treatment for an infection, the Royal Palace announced at the time. The press release stated that the king would remain in hospital for a few days. King Harald has his personal physician – a kind of GP – at Rikshospitalet. Crown Prince Haakon has acted as regent in King Harald’s absence due to illness. Crown Prince Haakon was behind the wheel when he and Queen Sonja paid a sick visit to the king at Rikshospitalet on Monday afternoon. Photo: Javad Parsa / NTB Hosting a state visit from Italy Tomorrow Italian President Sergio Mattarella will pay a two-day state visit to Norway at the invitation of the king and queen. In 2016, the royal couple paid a state visit to Sergio Mattarella in Italy, and the Italian president’s state visit to Norway this week is a return visit after that visit. Photo: Lise Åserud / NTB Since the king is on sick leave, it will be the crown prince and queen who receive the president. It is not the first time the crown prince has hosted a state visit. The crown prince was also a substitute when Emperor Akihito was on a state visit to Norway in 2005. Then the king was on sick leave after heart surgery. It is also the crown prince who holds a cabinet meeting on Friday. Tomorrow’s program is packed, with a welcome ceremony at the Castle Square, a visit to the Storting and to the Prime Minister, a visit to the National Museum, a boat trip on the Oslo Fjord and finally a gala dinner at the Castle. On Friday, the state visit continues in Trondheim, where Crown Prince Haakon will accompany the Italian president. Busy period King Harald’s illness came during a busy period for the king. The state visit from Italy was just one of several major assignments on the calendar of the 86-year-old full-time monarch. On the day King Harald was admitted to the National Hospital, he should have taken part in the commemoration of Liberation Day and National Veterans Day at Akershus Fortress – a task the king always, as far as possible, prioritises. There is only one week until 17 May, when the king will greet the children’s train in Oslo from the Castle Balcony, and at the beginning of June the royal couple will go on their annual big county trip, which this year goes to Nordland. Shortly after the Nordland visit, King Harald and Queen Sonja will pay an official visit to Denmark. Last year, King Harald and Queen Sonja were on a county trip to Møre and Romsdal. This year the trip goes to Nordland. Photo: Lise Åserud / NTB 450 assignments last year Last year, King Harald carried out 450 assignments, either at the Palace, the Royal Ship or out in the field, according to the Palace. This despite the fact that he also had periods of health problems last year. The king was admitted to hospital and was treated for an infection also in August last year and just before Christmas. Also last week, King Harald was seen in public, when he presented King Olav’s cancer research prize in the University’s auditorium. Photo: Javad Parsa / NTB
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The king is hospitalized – news Norway – Overview of news from various parts of the country
