OSLO, Norway: The Royal House of Norway said that while holidaying on the resort island of Langkawi, Malaysia, King Harald was implanted with a temporary pacemaker at a local hospital over the weekend.
Europe’s oldest monarch, Harald, 87, was being treated for an infection while on vacation this week before being sent to the Hospital Sultanah Maliha after falling ill.
In a statement, the Royal House said, “The pacemaker was implanted due to a low heart rate.”
Following the successful operation, Harald, Europe’s oldest reigning monarch, would likely be transported back to Norway “within the next couple of days,” the statement added.
Bjrn Bendz, the king’s personal physician, said, “His Majesty is doing well under the circumstances but still requires rest. The procedure will make the return back home safer.”
Two days before his birthday last week, Norwegian news agency NTB reported that the king was undertaking a private trip abroad with his wife Queen Sonja.
Harald has suffered from fragile health over the past few years and has been admitted to a hospital for treatment several times. In October 2020, he had an operation to replace a heart valve after being hospitalized with breathing difficulties.
After ascending to the throne following his father’s death, King Olav, in 1991 as his country’s first native-born king since the 14th century, Harald has been Norway’s head of state purely in ceremonial terms, and he holds no political power.
