Norway's King Harald V, Europe's oldest living monarch at 87 years old, made a triumphant return to Oslo on Sunday after being flown home from Malaysia on a medical evacuation plane. Live television pictures showed the monarch landing in Oslo following his hospitalization for an infection while on a private trip to the resort island of Langkawi.

Upon his arrival in Oslo, King Harald was scheduled to be transferred to Rikshospitalet, a hospital in the Norwegian capital, where he would receive further treatment and rest. The royal household confirmed in a statement that the king would remain in the hospital for a few days, following which he is expected to be on sick leave for two weeks. During his absence, Crown Prince Haakon will assume the role of regent and take over the king's constitutional duties.

This is not the first time King Harald has faced health issues. In recent years, he has been repeatedly hospitalized with infections and undergone heart surgery. Last year, he also battled a respiratory infection. Despite these health concerns, the monarch has expressed his dedication to continuing as Norway's reigning king, asserting that the promise he made to the Norwegian Parliament upon his ascension to the throne in 1991 "lasts for life."

The king's return to Oslo was marked by a ceremonial escort from the Sultanah Maliha Hospital in Langkawi to the airport, where a medical plane awaited him. Queen Sonja accompanied him on his journey back to Norway. Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre expressed his sadness at the king's hospitalization and wished him a speedy recovery.

Speculation had arisen recently about the possibility of King Harald abdicating, following in the footsteps of his cousin Queen Margrethe II of Denmark, who abdicated after 52 years on the throne. However, the Norwegian monarch firmly dismissed such rumors, stating his commitment to fulfilling his lifelong oath to the Storting (Norwegian Parliament).

As Norway eagerly awaits King Harald's recovery, the nation stands united in support of their monarch. With his unwavering determination to fulfill his duties, King Harald continues to inspire in his role as the ceremonial head of state since 1991.

(Note: The details presented in this news article are based on the provided information.