<p>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.</p>.<p>"The king is currently being examined," the palace said in a statement. "Covid-19 has already been ruled out."</p>.<p>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.</p>.<p>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.</p>.<p>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.</p>.<p>In the early 2000s, he underwent surgery for bladder cancer and later to repair a heart valve.</p>.<p>Harald became king on January 17, 1991 after the death of his father.</p>
<p>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.</p>.<p>"The king is currently being examined," the palace said in a statement. "Covid-19 has already been ruled out."</p>.<p>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.</p>.<p>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.</p>.<p>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.</p>.<p>In the early 2000s, he underwent surgery for bladder cancer and later to repair a heart valve.</p>.<p>Harald became king on January 17, 1991 after the death of his father.</p>