Operation successful:

King Harald now has a permanent pacemaker

The Norwegian king fell ill during a trip to Malaysia and has now been fitted with a permanent pacemaker in Oslo.(Bild: CORNELIUS POPPE / NTB / AFP)

The Norwegian King Harald V received a permanent pacemaker on Tuesday. According to a press release, the operation was "successful and the King is doing well". His Majesty will remain in hospital for a few more days.

The operation on the 87-year-old was carried out in the morning, according to the Royal Palace in Oslo.

Infection during vacation in Malaysia
Harald V. was admitted to hospital on the island of Langkawi two weeks ago during a vacation trip to Malaysia due to an infection.

A few days later, he was temporarily fitted with a pacemaker to make his return to Norway safer. Since his return at the beginning of March, the King has been treated at the National Hospital in Oslo.

Europe's oldest monarch
Harald V is the oldest reigning monarch in Europe. The Norwegian head of state uses crutches and has had to battle with health problems time and again in recent years. 

In 2003, he underwent surgery for bladder cancer. Two years later, he underwent heart surgery. The 87-year-old has also suffered from breathing problems, infections and a knee operation. 

In such cases, he is represented by his son, the 50-year-old Crown Prince Haakon. However, Harald V rejected speculation about abdication in January. 

He has been on the Norwegian throne since 1991, having taken over from his father King Olav V.