OSLO – Queen Sonja of Norway, 87, was hospitalised late Monday after experiencing breathing difficulties, the Norwegian royal palace confirmed. The Queen was transported by medical helicopter from the royal chalet in Sikkilsdalen—where she and King Harald were spending the Easter holidays—to Oslo for treatment. The royal family has traditionally spent Easter at the chalet since 1924, according to Norwegian news agency NTB.
This marks Queen Sonja’s second hospitalisation in recent months. In January, she was admitted due to cardiac fibrillation, a condition involving rapid and irregular heartbeat, which led to the installation of a pacemaker. The palace described that procedure as successful.
Her husband, King Harald V, 88, Europe’s oldest reigning monarch, also received a pacemaker in March 2024 following a bout of infection during a private visit to Malaysia. The palace has not yet provided further updates on Queen Sonja’s condition.