• King Harald of Norway, 85, is the second cousin of the British Queen Elizabeth.
• He has recently experienced health issues, including Covid, knee surgery in 2021, respiratory issues, and an August hospitalization for an additional infection.
• The former yachtsman who competed in the Olympics has resisted retirement.

King Harald of Norway, 85, is the second cousin of the British Queen Elizabeth and will be in the hospital “for a few days” after contracting an infection, the royal palace announced on Monday.

In a statement, it was stated that the monarch had been brought to Oslo’s university hospital for intravenous antibiotic therapy and that “his status is stable.”

Harald has recently experienced health issues, including Covid, knee surgery in 2021, respiratory issues, and an August hospitalization for an additional infection.

In addition, the king had operations in 2003 for bladder cancer and again in 2005 for heart valve issues.

The former yachtsman who competed in the Olympics has resisted retirement and even competed in the World Sailing Championships in late July.

He has been in power since January 1991 and is the grandson of Haakon VII, the first regent of Norway following its independence in 1905.

Second cousin to the late British Queen Elizabeth, King Harald was the only member of her family to hold a throne in another European country. (AFP/Web Desk)