COPENHAGEN, Denmark – Norway’s king, Harald V, 85, fell ill a day following meeting Foreign Minister Anniken Huitfeldt, who recently tested positive for Covid. The King will have a few days off as he shows cold symptoms, reported the Palace on Friday.
“Norway’s Foreign Minister Anniken Huitfeldt tested positive for the coronavirus just hours after she was in an audience with King Harald, Queen Sonja, and Crown Prince Haakon today.”
The Royal Court confirms that the royals will now be tested”, Tweeted – Senior Europe Correspondent for @RoyalCentral, Oskar Aanmoen.
In a brief statement, the royal family said, “all necessary examinations and tests will be carried out,” adding that “son and heir, Crown Prince Haakon, has taken over his father’s duties”.
Meanwhile, Minister Anniken Huitfeldt said to the Norwegian news outlets, “I sincerely hope that I have not infected King Harald, Queen Sonja, or Crown Prince Haakon” and she wished the king “good recovery.”
Despite being fully vaccinated, including a booster shot, Harald V has been suffering health complications for the last few years. In 2020 he also went through heart surgery.
Harald’s duties for the country are just limited to ceremonies. He holds no political authority for Norway. He was crowned in 1991, following his father’s death, King Olav in the same year on January 17.
Harald is the first-ever native-born king who married a commoner and won the hearts of his people by mourning the victims of Anders Behring Breivik’s attack.
Anniken Huitfeldt was appointed for the Minister of Foreign Affairs position back in October 2021, upon her win, Norway MFA Tweeted, “Anniken Huitfeldt.
@AHuitfeldt appointed as Norwegian Minister of Foreign Affairs today. Congratulations!
We look forward to working with you!”
Earlier this month, the Foreign Minister hosted Amir Khan Muttaqi, Afghanistan’s Minister, to talk on human rights and girls’ education.
“Norway’s foreign minister Anniken Huitfeldt is hosting the Taliban’s self-proclaimed foreign minister Amir Khan Muttaqi for discussions on human rights and girls’ education. The Taliban seek $10 billion in frozen Afghan funds belonging to the elected government they toppled”, Hillel Neuer Tweeted.
