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Princess Astrid standing with King Charles, Queen Camilla and King Harald© Pool

Royal to miss major event for first time in two decades – details

King Harald and Queen Sonja often head to the Nobel Prize

Matthew Moore
Online News Writer & Diversity and Inclusion Lead
November 27, 2024
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King Harald and Queen Sonja are due to miss this year's Nobel Peace Prize Banquet next month, with this being Harald's first absence since 2003.

Although the Norwegian monarch and his wife are missing the banquet, the pair are expected to attend the prize ceremony, which is held earlier in the day. It is expected that Crown Prince Haakon and wife Crown Princess Mette-Marit will feature at both events on 10 December 2024.

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The King and other members of the royal family traditionally attend the service, which is hosted in their home country, with Harald only missing one event this century.

In 2003, the King was forced to drop out of the event due to an operation for bladder cancer. At the time of his operation, Harald was absent from his royal duties for four months.

King Harald sitting with Queen Sonja, Crown Princess Mette-Marit and Crown Prince Haakon© Rune Hellestad
Senior members of the Norwegian royal family attend the annual event

Both Haakon and Mette-Marit have missed the event on previous occasions. In 2013, Haakon was representing Norway at the funeral of Nelson Mandela and he also wasn't present in 2010.

Mette-Marit has previously dropped out of the ceremony due to periods of ill health and her own maternity leave in 2005, following the birth of her son Prince Sverre.

King Harald of Norway in blue suit © Getty Images
The monarch and his wife are only attending the Nobel Peace Prize ceremony

King Harald had a health scare earlier in the year when the Norwegian monarch was hospitalised in Malaysia back in February. In a statement at the time, the royal court said: "His Majesty the King has fallen ill during his holiday in Malaysia and is hospitalised there with an infection. The king receives good care from both Malaysian and Norwegian medical personnel."

The 87-year-old was later transferred back to Norway where he underwent a surgery in order to have a permanent pacemaker fitted. The royal was discharged from hospital two days later, but remained on sick leave until 22 April 2024.

Kign Harald walking with crutches© CORNELIUS POPPE
Harald has had several health issues over the years

He was hospitalised for infections in May and December last year and treated for a fever last August.

Despite his ill health, Harald has ruled out abdicating, like fellow Scandinavian royal Queen Margrethe. During a visit to Faktisk.np, a non-profit fact-checking website, in January, Harald stated: "I stand by what I have said all along. I have taken an oath to the Storting, [parliament] and it lasts for life."

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