King Harald V of Norway, 89, is in an "extremely serious" condition after his health deteriorated while being treated at Oslo University Hospital. Europe's oldest reigning monarch has been hospitalized since August 17 with haemolytic anaemia, later complicated by a bacterial bloodstream infection.
Queen Sonja and Crown Prince Haakon, who is serving as regent, cancelled their official engagements and went to the King's bedside, alongside other members of the royal family. Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre cancelled a planned trip to Germany, and Parliament Speaker Masud Gharahkhani cut short a visit abroad to return to Norway.
Hundreds of people gathered outside the Royal Palace in Oslo, where they laid flowers, lit candles and left handwritten messages and drawings for the King. Similar gatherings were reported in other Norwegian cities as people awaited further updates on his health.
Harald has been Norway's king since 1991 and has faced a series of health problems in recent years, including surgery to fit a permanent pacemaker. He has reduced his official schedule but has repeatedly ruled out abdication, saying the oath he took before Norway's parliament was a lifelong commitment.
