King Harald of Norway Poses for Easter Family Photo Following Medical Scare
The monarch smiled beside his wife, Queen Sonja, in a new photo released one month to the day that the crisis began
King Harald V of 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 his medical scare during a Malaysian vacation in February.
The photo showed King Harald seated and smiling beside his wife, Queen Sonja. The royal couple’s son Crown Prince Haakon and daughter-in-law Crown Princess Mette-Marit stood behind them along with grandchildren Princess 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 on Instagram, per a translation.
Related: King Harald of Norway Hospitalized with Infection During Vacation in Malaysia
Bygdø Kongsgård is the Norwegian royal family’s farm, used by King Harald as a summer royal residence. The monarch is likely marking the holiday there after a whirlwind few weeks that began when he fell ill during a private trip to Malaysia late last month.
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 a statement on Feb. 27.
In an update the 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.
Related: Meet Norway's Royal Family: All About the 1,000-Year-Old Monarchy
On March 2, the court announced that King Harald received a temporary pacemaker at Hospital Sultanah Maliha "due to a low heart rate" and would be medically transported home to Norway when the time was right. With Queen Sonja by his side, the King was flown to Norway the next day. The Norwegian Royal House further confirmed on March 3 that Crown Prince Haakon would act as regent and assume his father’s constitutional duties for the two weeks that followed.
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."
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While the King of Norway has had several health issues in recent years, including hospitalizations for infections in December 2022 and May 2023, he insisted he had no plans to abdicate after Queen Margrethe of Denmark voluntarily stepped down from the throne at the start of the year.
“No, I don't really have it. I stand by what I have said all along. I have taken an oath to the Storting, and it lasts for life,” King Harald said at an event in January, referring to his promise to the Norwegian Parliament when he acceded at age 53 in 1991.
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