King Harald V of Norway, 89, has been hospitalized since August 17 but his health deteriorated over the weekend, according to a statement released on Sunday by The Royal House of Norway.
Norway is a Constitutional Monarchy where the King’s duties are mainly representative and ceremonial. The King is respected and beloved by Norwegians across the political spectrum.
His illness is of utmost concern to Norwegians who pray for his speedy recovery.
Every Saturday morning, a special prayer is recited by Norwegian Jews for King Harald V and the Royal Family at the synagogues in Oslo and Trondheim.
Here is the prayer as we pray for his speedy recovery:
“He who gives salvation unto kings and dominion unto rulers… May the Holy One, blessed be He, bless, preserve, protect, aid, exalt, and supremely aggrandize our lord the King, Harald V, and his entire royal family.”
נּוֹתֵן תְּשׁוּעָה לַמְּלָכִים וּמֶמְשָׁלָה לַנְּסִיכִים…
הַקָּדוֹשׁ בָּרוּךְ הוּא הוּא יְבָרֵךְ וְיִשְׁמֹר וְיִנְצֹר וְיִסְמֹךְ וְיְרֹמֵם וְיַגְבִּיהַּ מַעֲלָה
אֶת אַדְמֹרֵנוּ הַמֶּלֶךְ הָרַלְד חֲמִשָּׁה (הָרַלְד הַחֲמִישִׁי)
וְאֶת כָּל מִשְׁפּَحַת מַלְכוּתוֹ.
All images are credited to The Royal House of Norway.
On January 21, 1991, King Harald V pledged to uphold the Constitution in a formal ceremony at the Norwegian Parliament
