Royal Central - Prince Ricardo De La Cerda
King Harald of Norway is scaling back his public engagements on a permanent basis.
The king, who is 87, will continue with his constitutional duties and will still hold audiences and meetings at the Royal Palace as well as undertake visits around Norway. But the number of activities he takes on will be reduced with immediate effect.
The announcement came as King Harald returned to work after a two month absence following an illness which led to him being admitted to hospital while on holiday and then undergoing surgery on his return to Oslo.
In a statement, the Royal Court noted that ”out of consideration for his age”, the King of Norway will reduce his workload. The statement added ”this will entail a permanent reduction in the number and scope of activities in which the king participates. Practical arrangements will also be made during his official activities.”
The statement also said ”the king is glad to be back and to have resumed his work.”
King Harald was taken to hospital with an infection while on holiday in Malaysia in February and needed a temporary pacemaker to be fitted before he was considered well enough to return to Norway. He was immediately taken to hospital after landing in Oslo and his medical team then decided he needed a permanent pacemaker.
His son and heir, Crown Prince Haakon, was already acting as regent at the time as his father was on holiday and he remained in that role for two months as King Harald recovered.