King Harald has been keeping busy amid a health crisis that has struck several members of the Norwegian royal family. Speaking to local media on Thursday at Vestland, he opened up about the health of his relatives, while also defending Crown Princess Mette-Marit over her controversial friendship with the convicted paedophile Jeffrey Epstein.
When asked about the pair's bond, he said that Mette-Marit deserved more "credit" for ending their relationship. "I found out about it when you found out about it," he explained. "And I don't know anything more than you know."
When asked about the extent of their correspondence and friendship, Harald replied: "No, I didn't know that, but we must remember that the Crown Princess has not done anything illegal. And she broke this connection. Unlike some others in Norway, she broke the connection very early. So, I think we should give her credit for that."
Harald also spoke about his daughter-in-law's health, echoing the sentiments of Crown Prince Haakon, who said that his wife was "seriously ill". The Norwegian monarch said: "We've heard the doctors say that this is going to happen, but we thought and hoped that this would happen in a while, but not now. But now it's suddenly very relevant.
"She is seriously ill. There is no doubt about that, unfortunately."
The monarch also addressed the health of his wife, who was released from the hospital on Thursday morning after being admitted the previous day. "Her form is much better," he noted.
"It wasn't good when I left. She was a little depressed then because she wasn't allowed to be here. That she wasn't able to do what she did before, but as far as I understand, she is much better than she was when I left. Now the medication is under control."
Norwegian royal health
Sonja has been admitted to hospital several times over the past few years, including last year, following shortness of breath during a skiing trip. She was subsequently fitted with a pacemaker during surgery.
Likewise, Mette-Marit's pulmonary fibrosis, which she was diagnosed with in 2018, has been worsening. Speaking to press on Tuesday, Haakon said: The Crown Princess is seriously ill, and I think she has gotten a bit worse lately.
© Getty"So I am worried about her health. She uses oxygen in her everyday life, and that helps a bit. And these six months have gone pretty well, I think. But there are different phases. So we just have to try to solve it as best we can."
Meanwhile, Harald has had several hospital admissions during recent years. Back in February, he was admitted and treated for an infection and dehydration at the Hospital Universitario Hospiten Sur in Tenerife, where he has been holidaying.
© Getty ImagesAt the time, the palace said his condition was "good". An official press release shared later stated that the King has been "responding well" to treatment and had "recovered quickly".
