Queen Sonja of Norway, 88, Hospitalized Following Heart Failure Diagnosis
Queen Sonja of Norway, 88, Hospitalized Following Heart Failure Diagnosis
Meredith KileWed, May 27, 2026 at 9:07 PM UTC
0
Queen Sonja of Norway attends the 59th International Art Exhibition in Venice, Italy, on April 21, 2022
Credit: Daniele Venturelli/WireImage
-
Queen Sonja of Norway has been hospitalized with heart problems
The Royal House announced on Sunday that the 88-year-old monarch was being treated for heart failure and atrial fibrillation
The Queen had a pacemaker installed in January 2025
Queen Sonja of Norway has been hospitalized with heart problems.
The Norwegian Royal House announced the news on Wednesday, May 27, saying, "Her Majesty the Queen was admitted to the National Hospital today due to heart problems," in a statement translated to English.
This hospitalization followed the announcement days prior that the Queen was being treated for heart failure and atrial fibrillation. On Sunday, May 24, the Royal House released a statement which read, "Her Majesty the Queen is, following examinations at the National Hospital today, on sick leave for a week due to atrial fibrillation and heart failure. The Queen needs rest and adjustment of her medication."
The following day, the Queen canceled her official engagements, which included a planned meeting with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Queen Sonja previously had a pacemaker installed in January 2025 after experiencing atrial fibrillation during a ski vacation, which necessitated her being airlifted to the hospital in Lillehammer. Three months later, the royal family was on Easter holiday at their private chalet in the mountains of Jotunheimen when the Queen had to be airlifted to the hospital once again after experiencing shortness of breath.
The Queen's husband, King Harald, has also faced multiple health issues in recent years. He endured a leg operation in 2022, COVID diagnoses in 2022 and 2023 and pacemaker surgery in 2024. Most recently, in February 2026, the King was hospitalized for infection and dehydration while on a family vacation in Tenerife.
Queen Sonja and King Harald oversee the Norwegian Constitution Day festivities at the Royal Castle on May 17, 2025
Credit: Per Ole Hagen/Getty
Additionally, the royal couple's daughter-in-law, Crown Princess Mette-Marit of Norway, 52, is also facing serious health complications.
Advertisement
Crown Prince Haakon, the 52-year-old heir to the Norwegian throne, spoke with reporters during an outing on May 26, where he gave a health update on his wife, who was diagnosed with chronic pulmonary fibrosis in 2018.
Can't get enough of PEOPLE's Royals coverage? Sign up for our free Royals newsletter to get the latest updates on Kate Middleton, Meghan Markle and more!
“The Crown Princess is seriously ill, and I think she has gotten a bit worse lately," he said, according to Norwegian broadcaster NRK. "So I am worried about her health."
"These six months have gone pretty well, I think. But there are different phases. So we just have to try to solve it as best we can," the prince added.
Crown Princess Mette-Marit and Crown Prince Haakon of Norway attend the Norwegian Constitution Day festivities on May 17, 2026
Credit: Per Ole Hagen/Getty
During several recent public appearances, Crown Princess Mette-Marit has been photographed wearing a nasal cannula, or oxygen breathing tube. When asked if she would be put on a lung transplant list, Crown Prince said that was "up to the doctors."
"It's a medical question. So they’re the ones who decide when it should happen, when it’s right," he noted. "But I think she’s gotten a lot worse lately, unfortunately.”
on People
Source: “AOL Entertainment”
