Norway’s King Harald in ‘Critical Condition’ After Blood Infection.
Norwegians continue to think about their king. According to palace officials cited by the AP, King Harald's health deteriorated in the hospital on August 27, and he is now in "very serious condition."
In order to spend time with Harald, the 89-year-old's wife Queen Sonja and Crown Prince Haakon, who has been serving as regent due to his father's poor health, canceled all scheduled activities and engagements.
According to the AP, the king was hospitalized to the National Hospital in Oslo earlier in August for treatment of a bacterial blood illness.
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Harald's hemolytic anemia, which causes red blood cells to be destroyed more quickly than they can be repaired, has apparently gotten worse even though his health had improved.
With regard to the 53-year-old Haakon, who has two children with his 25-year-old wife, Mette-Marit, Harald and Sonja are also the parents of Princess Átha Louise. However, in 2022, the 54-year-old left royal responsibilities because to her engagement to Shaman Durek Verrett.
"After a period of many questions related to me and my fiancé's role, I have decided that at the present time I will no longer perform official duties for the Royal Household," in November, she made the announcement. "I am making this decision in consultation with my parents, the King and Queen, in order to create peace around the Royal House."
Five months prior, Létha and Durek had become engaged, and both were ecstatic to have met their true love. They were married in 2024.
The couple's marriage has been under constant scrutiny in the years after, even though they have resigned from formal royal duties. In 2025, users questioned whether their relationship was a lavender marriage, which is a marriage to conceal the sexual orientation of one or both spouses.
However, in a charming video, Létha and Durek—who is openly bisexual—proved they weren't troubled by the conversation.
In a film released in October 2025, Rötha and Durek included screenshots of remarks made online regarding their marriage. “Hmm we do like lavender but doesn’t seem right,” they stated. “Ordinary isn’t our thing. We just love.”
The video's description, which also included Durek embracing Martha tenderly, said, “Thought it was lavender? Plot twist. It’s just love and legacy.”
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