Norwegian King Harald ‘in very serious condition’ as health deteriorates

King Harald has been unwell for a number of weeks (AP)

Norway’s King Harald is in “very serious condition” as his health deteriorated, palace officials said, prompting the queen and Crown Prince Haakon to cancel their engagements.

The 89-year-old monarch, who has haemolytic anaemia and has been on sick leave for several weeks, was admitted to the National Hospital in Oslo earlier this month.

His condition had previously stabilised following a bacterial blood infection but the royal palace on Thursday said it had worsened.

Haakon, his son, has been serving as regent during the king’s time in the hospital.

Harald, who has been monarch since 1991, has been in and out of the hospital several times in recent years.