King Harald V of Norway has been fitted with a temporary pacemaker and is “doing well”, a newly-released update on his health has said.
The Norwegian monarch was rushed to hospital with an infection earlier this week, the Norwegian royal court announced.
The 87-year-old, who has suffered from a few bouts of ill health in recent years, fell ill whilst on holiday in Malaysia.
In a new update – shared on X by Majesty Magazine – from his personal physician Bjorn Bendz, the monarch has had a pacemaker fitted “due to low heart rate”.
Mr Bendz added: “The decision was made earlier today, and the procedure was successful.
“His Majesty is doing well under the circumstances but still requires rest.”
Speaking of the procedure, he added: “The procedure will make the return home safer.”
According to the update, the medical transportation to Norway is likely to take place in the next couple of days.
Following news of his earlier admission, the monarch was said to be receiving “good follow-up” care from both Malaysian and Norwegian medical personnel and was reported to be in a stable condition.
Prior to falling ill, King Harald V had been on a private trip to the South-East Asia country.
Currently the oldest ruling monarch in Europe, the Norwegian King celebrated his 87th birthday last month – on February 21.
Prior to this health scare, the monarch also went on sick leave due to a respiratory infection in late January.
This also isn’t the first time that he has been hospitalised for “an infection”, King Harald had been previously hospitalised in May 2023.
Hospitalisations also occurred in December 2022, August 2022 and November 2017.
This latest update comes just a day after concern was heightened when an evacuation plane was spotted landing in Malaysia’s northern resort of Langkawi – the same place whether the monarch was being treated in hospital.
The monarch’s son – Crown Prince Haakon – previously said that his father’s condition was improving but that he will continue to rest before flying home.
