Oslo: Norway's 86-year-old King Harald is recovering from an infection that saw him hospitalised earlier this week but will remain on sick leave all week, the palace said Wednesday.
"His Majesty the King is still at Oslo University Hospital," the palace said in a statement.
His condition "is improving but he will be on sick leave until the end of the week."
The palace on Monday announced that the popular monarch, who has reigned over the Scandinavian nation for 32 years in a largely ceremonial role, had been admitted to hospital with his third infection since last summer.
He has also been hospitalised on a number of occasions in recent years for Covid, knee and heart surgery, and respiratory problems.
The former Olympic yachtsman has repeatedly refused to abdicate.
His sick leave means he will not take part in the state visit of Italy's President Sergio Mattarella to Norway on Thursday and Friday.
He will be replaced by his son Crown Prince Haakon.
Harald is the grandson of Haakon VII -- the first Norwegian regent after the country gained independence from Sweden in 1905 -- and has ruled since January 1991.
