Norway: King Harald discharged from hospital following successful heart surgery

NordenBladet – His Majesty King Harald of Norway was discharged from hospital on Monday following his successful heart-operation last Friday. The news was announced in a press release form the Royal Court on Monday afternoon.

The full statement form the Royal Court states: “The King is in good shape and is returning home from Rikshospitalet today, says the King’s life doctor, chief physician Bjørn Bendz at the Cardiovascular and Lung Clinic at Oslo University Hospital, Rikshospitalet.”

The King has now been transported away from the hospital to his villa in Holnmenkollen, Kongsseteren. The king will stay here as it is easier and he will not travel to the royal palace. Queen Sonja will also in the next week live with her husband, King Harald in the villa in Holmenkollen, which is otherwise used by the royal family as a winter residence and in connection with Christmas celebrations.

Kongsseteren is a property and timber lodge which is under the Norwegian Royal Family’s private ownership. King Haakon and Queen Maud received the property as a gift from the Norwegian people after their coronation in 1906. Some of the architecture details are inspired by the Norwegian farming tradition. Otherwise, it is built in New Baroque style. Besides being the Christmas home of the Royal Family, the building is most known for being the favourite residence of King Olav. The lodge is also known for being the place where Ari Behn proposed to Princess Märtha Louise in 2001.

On October 9th 2020, King Harald underwent surgery to replace a heart valve first operated on in 2005. His Majesty’s operation was successful. After the operation, the King was transferred to the Intensive Care Unit for further observation. His Majesty will be on sick leave through October. Messages about the King’s state of health will be sent out regularly in the near future.

The last time the King had heart surgery, the King was on sick leave for two months. It has been announced that the King this time will be on sick leave until October. A more detailed update on the king’s health is expected at the end of this month. Crown Prince Haakon takes over all his father’s duties for the rest of the month.