Norway's King Harald gets successful pacemaker implant surgery in Malaysia

NEW DELHI:

Norway's King Harald

reportedly left

Malaysia

in a

Scandinavian Airlines

' Boeing 737-700 on Sunday after his

pacemaker implant surgery

at Sultanah Maliha Hospital.
He was hospitalized in Malaysia due to an

infection

while he was on a private vacation in Langkawi with his wife, Queen Sonja. He was implanted with a temporary pacemaker on Saturday because of his low heart rate, as per the royal house. The oldest reigning king in Europe traveled to Malaysia to celebrate his 87th birthday.
A medical evacuation plane from Scandinavian Airlines, which is often used as a flying ambulance, arrived in Langkawi on Friday after departing from Oslo on Thursday.
In recent years, King Harald has faced health issues and has been admitted to the hospital for treatment multiple times. In October 2020, he underwent a heart valve replacement surgery after experiencing breathing difficulties.

Despite his health challenges, King Harald has no plans to step down, unlike his second cousin, Queen Margrethe II of Denmark. Crown Prince Haakon, heir to the Norwegian throne has assumed his father's responsibilities while he's under treatment.
As the ceremonial head of state, King Harald does not possess political power in Norway. He assumed the throne in 1991 following the passing of his father, King Olav.