Mystery as King of Norway in hospital with evacuation plane landing on island

King Harald V of Norway was rushed to hospital earlier this week, with an evacuation plane now heightening the mystery that surrounds the monarch’s illness.

The Norwegian monarch was admitted to hospital after falling ill during a holiday, the royal palace in Oslo previously announced.

A Scandinavian Airlines craft was spotted arriving in Malaysia’s northern resort of Langkawi on Friday – the same place that the monarch is currently being treated for an infection.

No more details have been released, although it is known that the 87-year-old has suffered with various bouts of ill health in recent months.

The monarch’s son, Crown Prince Haakon, has said that his father’s condition is improving – but that he will need to rest before returning home.

Speaking on Wednesday, Crown Prince Haakon said: “It is clear that his age means that it is good to treat this properly.

“They are very good at the hospital. We don’t know when he will come home. We will have to decide on that later.”

The Scandinavian aircraft – which has the tail number of LN-RPJ – took off from Oslo Airport on Thursday, February 29. The Boening 737-700, which has also previously been used as a flying ambulance, landed in Langkawi the following day – on Friday.

The Norwegian Defence Force has declined to comment on whether the aircraft will be used to pick up King Harald V of Norway.

The monarch suffered from ill health just last month, with the palace stating on February 2 that he was taking sick leave due to a repsiratory infection.