King Harald of Norway was flown back to his homeland late Sunday evening.
King Harald, who suffered a lot from health concerns, appeared in good health and cheerfulness in February. CORNELIUS POPPE / POOL, AOP
King Harald, 87, has returned to his native Norway. A medical evacuation flight took off from Langkawi, Malaysia, early Sunday morning. In the evening, the monarch’s flight landed at Oslo airport and Queen Sonja and a crew of 20 were traveling with it.
The king now has a two-week sick leave. From the airport, Harald was transported to Oslo University Hospital. Doctors estimate that the king should be discharged from the hospital in about a week.
– Once the inflammation has been treated, surgery can be performed to install a permanent pacemaker, says cardiologist Dan Atar for Dagbladet.
Norway’s Hovi announced on Saturday evening that Harald has had surgery while on holiday in Malaysia. The king was already hospitalized due to an infection, and during the surgery he was fitted with a temporary pacemaker. In Malaysia, Harald has been treated by both local and Norwegian doctors.
– The king is fine, but still needs rest. The procedure made the trip home safer, commented the king’s personal doctor Bjørn Bendz immediately after placement of a temporary pacemaker.
The King’s flight landed at Oslo Airport on Sunday evening. PDO
The king’s journey home was on a Boeing 737 passenger plane, which has been converted into a “flying hospital” according to Expressen. The well-equipped aircraft has the necessary medical equipment and hospital beds. The plane has previously been used by the Norwegian army.
Crown Prince Haakon, 50, is handling his father’s representative duties during the monarch’s sick leave. According to press reports, Princess Ingrid Alexandra, 20, has also returned from Northern Norway to Oslo in the middle of her military service.
Now Harald is being treated at the university hospital, where he was transported from the airport. SplashNews.com, AOP