Since the start of the twenty-first century, King Harald has been unable to perform his duties as sovereign due to ill health on a few occasions: from December 2003 to mid-April 2004 due to urinary bladder cancer, from April to early June 2005 due to aortic stenosis, and in 2020 due to cardiac surgery (replacement of a heart valve). Crown Prince Haakon served as the country's regent on these occasions, including giving the King's Speech at the State opening of parliament in 2020.
since the start of the twenty-first century king harald has been unable to perform his duties as sovereign due to ill health on a few occasions from december 2003 to mid-april 2004 due to urinary bladder cancer from april to early june 2005 due to aortic stenosis and in 2020 due to cardiac surgery (replacement of a heart valve) crown prince haakon served as the country's regent on these occasions including giving the king's speech at the state opening of parliament in 2020