Norway’s King Harald, 89, hospitalised: Palace

OSLO - Norway’s 89-year-old King Harald was hospitalised on Aug 17 and put on sick leave for two weeks, the royal palace announced.Europe’s longest-serving monarch, Harald is suffering from haemolytic anaemia, according to the palace – a condition caused by an abnormally rapid destruction of red blood cells which leads to fatigue, paleness, and shortness of breath.“The king has been treated with cortisone in recent weeks” to combat the illness, the palace said in a statement.“This treatment has led to fluid retention in the body, which requires hospital care.”His son, Crown Prince Haakon, will serve as regent during his sick leave.Harald, who ascended the Norwegian throne in 1991, has had multiple health problems in recent years, forcing him to have a pacemaker fitted and to scale back his