King Harald of Norway has been released from a Malaysian hospital after having a pacemaker fitted due to a low heart rate following an illness on holiday at Langkawi, according to The Independent.
The King will continue his convalescence in Norway taking a two-week medical leave, during which Crown Prince Haakon will take up his duties. The Royal Palace stated:
“His Majesty will be on sick leave for two weeks. The crown prince will in that period be regent and take over the King’s constitutional duties.”
The Royal Palace announced on Saturday that “the pacemaker was implanted due to a low heart rate” and “the procedure was successful.” For safety reasons, the king returns home on a medical evacuation plane.
His Majesty is doing well under the circumstances but still requires rest.
King Harald V, crowned in 1991, is considered the first Norwegian-born king since the 14th century and ranks among the world’s highest-ranking ruling monarchs.
In recent years, 87-year-old King Harald, Europe’s oldest reigning monarch, has faced a number of health problems due to his condition, occasionally appearing in public with walking aids due to his condition. In 2020, he underwent heart surgery to replace a valve that was originally installed in 2005.
