(ANSA) - OSLO, 25 SEPT - The Norwegian king Harald V, 83, is hospitalized, The palace has made it known without revealing details on his condition. Harald, who has been on the throne for 29 years, is now on sick leave and Crown Prince Haakon will temporarily take up his duties.
A keen sailor who has taken part in numerous regattas including the 1964 Olympics in Tokyo, Harald is seen by Norwegians as a unifying figure. He insisted he will not abdicate despite his deteriorating health which saw him spend a week in the hospital in January after a bout of dizziness.
In the early 2000s, he underwent surgery for bladder cancer and later to repair a heart valve. (HANDLE).