Norway, King Harald hospitalized: two weeks' sick leave

Norway's 89-year-old King Harald has been hospitalized and placed on sick leave for two weeks, the Royal Palace announced.

Dean of European sovereigns, the king suffers from hemolytic anemia, a blood disease characterized by the abnormally rapid destruction of red blood cells and which causes, among other symptoms, tiredness, paleness and breathing difficulties.

"The king has undergone cortisone-based therapy in recent weeks" to combat the disease, the Palace explained in a statement. “This treatment caused water retention in the body, which requires hospital treatment,” he added.

His son Crown Prince Haakon will take over the regency during his period of illness.

Having ascended the throne of Norway in 1991, Harald has had to deal with several health problems in recent years which led him to have a pacemaker implanted and to reduce his official commitments. However, he has always ruled out the possibility of abdicating, claiming to have sworn a life oath before the Norwegian Parliament.

Last February, Harald was hospitalized and treated in Tenerife due to an infection.