LANGKAWI, Malaysia (AP) – A Scandinavian Airlines medical evacuation plane arrived in the northern Malaysian resort island of Langkawi on Friday. The King of Norway has been hospitalized with an infection and is receiving treatment.
At 87 years old, Europe's oldest monarch, Harald V, He fell ill during the holidays and was hospitalized.Oslo Royal Palace announced on Tuesday. Details of his illness were unknown. His son Crown Prince Haakon said his father's condition was improving and he needed to rest before being brought back.
Norwegian TV2 reported that the Scandinavian aircraft with tail number LN-RPJ took off from Oslo Airport on Thursday, and the Boeing 737-700, previously used as a flying ambulance, landed in Langkawi on Friday.
The royal family said in a brief statement on Friday that the king's condition was improving but that he would “remain in hospital for several more days for treatment and rest before returning home.”
The Norwegian Armed Forces said in a separate statement Friday that it does not share information about ongoing operational missions. “It is especially important that this practice is maintained for the safety and health of His Majesty the King.”
Norwegian TV 2 reported that the same aircraft was used last summer to medically transport patients from Ukraine.
Malaysian state news agency Bernama reported that Harald was being treated at Langkawi's Sultana Maliha Hospital. The newspaper, citing unnamed sources, said he was staying in the hospital's royal suite. The hospital declined to comment when contacted by The Associated Press.
“Given his age, it's clear that it's a good thing to handle this properly. They're working very well at the hospital,” Crown Prince Haakon said on Wednesday. “We don't know when he will return. A decision on that will have to be made later.” The palace said: “No decision has yet been made regarding his return.”
Earlier, Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gare Stoer said, “It would be a cause for concern if the King became ill and was hospitalized, whether in Norway or abroad.''
“We should do everything possible to bring the king home as soon as possible and in the best possible health,” he told Norwegian broadcaster NRK.
Two days before his birthday last week, the Norwegian news agency NTB reported that the king was planning a personal trip abroad with his wife, Queen Sonja, but did not specify the destination or dates.
Norwegian media reported that Harald visited Malaysia to celebrate his 87th birthday.
In the past, the King of Norway has also made private trips related to his birthday. When he turned 80, he and his family traveled to South Africa and were on the island of Mauritius in the Indian Ocean to celebrate his 85th birthday, Norwegian media reported.
The king, who has been seen using crutches in recent years, has repeatedly fallen ill in recent months, raising concerns about the head of state's health. In January, the Palace announced that he was on sick leave until February 2 due to a respiratory infection.
In December, he was hospitalized with an infection and was treated with intravenous antibiotics. She was also hospitalized with a fever in August last year.
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Ng reported from Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Associated Press writer Jan M. Olsen in Copenhagen, Denmark, contributed to this report.
