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Norway's King Harald V, 83, taken to hospital

Last Updated 25 September 2020, 15:33 IST

Norway's 83-year-old King Harald V was admitted to hospital early Friday with a respiratory ailment, the palace said, adding that his condition was not related to the novel coronavirus.

"The king is currently being examined," the palace said in a statement. "Covid-19 has already been ruled out."

The king, who has been on the throne for 29 years, is now on sick leave and Crown Prince Haakon will take over his duties temporarily.

A keen yachtsman who has taken part in regattas including the 1964 Olympic Games in Tokyo, King Harald and is seen by Norwegians as a unifying figure.

He has insisted he will not abdicate despite declining health that saw him spend a week in hospital in January after a bout of dizziness.

In the early 2000s, he underwent surgery for bladder cancer and later to repair a heart valve.

Harald became king on January 17, 1991 after the death of his father.

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(Published 25 September 2020, 15:33 IST)

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