Norway’s king plans to scale back his participation in official duties “out of consideration for his age”, the country’s royal household has said.

Officials said the move would see King Harald, 88, make a “permanent reduction” to his public engagements.

Harald is one of Europe’s longest reigning monarchs, serving since 1991.

But he has battled illness in recent years and was admitted to hospital in Malaysia in February after falling sick while on holiday.

He was treated for an infection he contracted while staying on the resort island of Langkawi. He was later fitted with a pacemaker to compensate for a low heartrate.

Harald has not been seen in public since his hospitalisation. His son, Crown Prince Haakon, has carried out the king’s duties in his absence.

In a statement on Monday, the royal household said “practical arrangements will also be made in the conduct of his official activity”, but offered no further details on what the arrangements would be.

Monday’s announcement comes just days after Harald formally resumed his constitutional duties, having taken two months of sick leave after being released from hospital. His official diary listed three separate meetings, including a summit with the head of the country’s armed forces.

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