Members of Norway’s Royal Family have rushed to the hospital
where King Harald is being treated
after the Palace revealed that his health has become “very
serious”.

Crown Prince Haakon, Crown Princess Mette-Marit and Prince
Sverre Magnus are understood to have headed urgently to the
National Hospital in Oslo as concern grows for the 89-year-old
monarch.

Spanish royal journalist Jose Moreno reported on Thursday
morning that the Crown Prince, Crown Princess and their son had
travelled to the hospital following the latest announcement from
the Norwegian Royal Court.

The report comes shortly after the Palace issued its most
serious health update yet on King Harald.

The Norwegian Royal Court said on Thursday that “His Majesty the
King’s state of health is very serious.”

The stark statement was released after several days of
increasingly concerning updates about the monarch’s condition.

The Palace also confirmed that Crown Prince Haakon and Queen
Sonja have cancelled all of their scheduled engagements.

Haakon has been serving as Regent while his father remains in
hospital and has been carrying out the constitutional duties of
Norway’s head of state.

King Harald has been receiving treatment at Rikshospitalet since
August 17 after doctors became concerned about complications from
his treatment for haemolytic anaemia.

He had been receiving cortisone for the blood disorder but
developed fluid retention which required hospital treatment.

During his stay, the Norwegian King developed a bacterial
infection in his blood and was given antibiotics.

The Palace initially said that Harald had responded to the
treatment and that his condition was stable.

On Monday, the Royal Court said there had been no significant
changes in his health and that his condition remained stable.

Thursday’s announcement represents a dramatic change in the
language used by the Palace.

The Royal Family has now cancelled official engagements as the
monarch remains in hospital.

Crown Princess Mette-Marit has herself faced a major health
battle this year after undergoing a lung transplant following years
of treatment for pulmonary fibrosis.

Her son, Prince Sverre Magnus, was among the family members who
visited King Harald at Rikshospitalet on Wednesday, alongside his
parents and Queen Sonja.

The family spent around two hours at the hospital during that
visit, according to Norwegian reports.

The latest reports come as Norway waits for further information
about its 89-year-old monarch.

King Harald has reigned since 1991 and remains one of the
country’s most popular public figures.

For now, Crown Prince Haakon continues as Regent, while the
Norwegian Royal Family puts its official programme on hold as it
waits at Harald’s side.

The Norwegian Royal Court has not yet provided further details
about why King Harald’s condition has become “very serious”.