"Recovering well"

King Harald discharged from hospital

The Norwegian King Harald has left the hospital after his heart operation, but he will leave the official duties to his son, Crown Prince Haakon, for some time to come.(Bild: APA/AFP/NTB/Rodrigo Freitas)

Europe's oldest monarch, King Harald V of Norway, was discharged on Thursday from the Rikshospitalet, Oslo University Hospital, where he had received a permanent pacemaker earlier this week, the palace announced.

The 87-year-old monarch is "recovering well" and is on sick leave until April 8, the royal household said in a brief statement.

His 50-year-old son, Crown Prince Haakon, will take over the king's constitutional duties during this time. Photos show the monarch leaving the hospital in the back of a black limousine.

King Harald on his way home after the operation.(Bild: APA/AFP/NTB/Rodrigo Freitas)

Infection on vacation in Malaysia
The pacemaker was implanted in the King on Tuesday. The operation had become necessary after he contracted an infection during a vacation trip to Malaysia at the end of February and was admitted to hospital there.

Before the flight back home, he was fitted with a temporary pacemaker. This had to be replaced by a permanent pacemaker.

King Harald is the oldest monarch in Europe; he has been on the Norwegian throne since 1991. He has been struggling with his health for some time.  

Ailing royal houses
Europe's royal houses are currently experiencing a real health crisis. In the UK, Princess Kate is still recovering from her serious abdominal operation in January and King Charles is undergoing cancer treatment.

At the beginning of February, the palace announced that King Charles had been diagnosed with cancer. It is not known what form of the disease it is - except that it is not thought to be prostate cancer. 

In Norway itself, Crown Princess Mette-Marit is a recurring cause for concern alongside the King. 

She was diagnosed with a chronic lung disease, pulmonary fibrosis, in 2018. The lungs are attacked by an inflammation of the connective tissue, and those affected often suffer from shortness of breath, coughing and shortness of breath.