King Harald of Norway left a hospital in Malaysia today, Sunday, returning to his country on a medical evacuation flight after receiving treatment for an infection and having a temporary pacemaker inserted. The aircraft equipped for transporting patients took off from Langkawi Airport at 1:05 PM local time (0505 GMT).
The royal family stated that Queen Sonja was accompanying the king, who will enter the hospital upon his return to Norway. They added that "the king will be on sick leave for two weeks. During this period, the Crown Prince will act as regent and assume the constitutional duties of the king." The Crown Prince has already chaired meetings in his father's absence.
King Harald, who has held this ceremonial position since 1991, is the oldest reigning king in Europe. He has had repeated hospitalizations due to infections in past years and has undergone heart surgery.
