标签： Europe

OSLO, Norway — Norway’s Royal Palace confirmed Tuesday that King Harald V has been hospitalized while on a private winter retreat in Spain’s Canary Islands. The 89-year-old monarch, who recently celebrated his birthday on February 24, was admitted to a medical facility on Tenerife Island Tuesday evening.

According to the official palace statement, the world’s oldest reigning sovereign is receiving treatment for dehydration and an unspecified infection. Medical staff have reported the king to be in stable condition despite these health complications. The royal household emphasized that appropriate medical protocols are being followed to ensure His Majesty’s recovery.

In response to the development, the king’s personal physician is en route to Tenerife to oversee the monarch’s care. The palace has committed to providing a comprehensive health update following the doctor’s medical assessment on Wednesday.

King Harald and Queen Sonja were enjoying a scheduled winter vacation on the Spanish island when the health incident occurred. The Norwegian monarch has held the throne since January 1991, making his reign one of Europe’s longest among current sovereigns. The royal household has expressed gratitude for the quality of care being provided by Spanish medical authorities.

The director of Paris’s renowned Louvre Museum has stepped down from her position months after a spectacular theft of France’s crown jewels from one of the world’s most visited cultural institutions. Laurence des Cars tendered her resignation to President Emmanuel Macron, who characterized the move as “an act of responsibility” according to French media reports.

The audacious heist occurred on the morning of October 19 last year when perpetrators utilized a stolen vehicle equipped with a mechanical lift to access the Galerie d’Apollon (Gallery of Apollo) via a balcony overlooking the River Seine. Although authorities have apprehended four primary suspects, the eight invaluable jewelry pieces, valued at approximately €88 million (£76 million, $104 million), remain missing. Among the stolen items was a diamond and emerald necklace originally presented by Emperor Napoleon to his wife.

During their escape, the thieves dropped Empress Eugenie’s 19th-century diamond-studded crown, resulting in significant damage. Earlier this month, the Louvre released the first images of the damaged crown since the incident, noting it was “nearly intact” and could undergo complete restoration.

In the aftermath of the robbery, des Cars acknowledged critical vulnerabilities in the museum’s security infrastructure, describing the perimeter CCTV system as both weak and “aging.” The only camera monitoring the exterior wall where the breach occurred was pointed away from the balcony providing access to the jewel gallery.

Despite hosting over 8.7 million visitors annually, the museum has faced challenges in modernizing its security apparatus. Des Cars, who assumed leadership of the Louvre in 2021, had previously advocated for doubling the number of surveillance cameras to enhance protection.

A parliamentary investigation into the security lapses is currently underway, with a preliminary report citing “systemic failures” that facilitated the break-in. The full findings are scheduled for release in May. The museum has additionally encountered other operational challenges recently, including a suspected ticket fraud scheme and significant water damage.

In a significant development for France’s cultural leadership, Laurence des Cars has officially resigned from her position as Director of the Louvre Museum in Paris. The resignation comes seven months after a spectacular security breach that saw thieves steal crown jewels valued at approximately €88 million ($102 million) from the world’s most visited museum.

President Emmanuel Macron’s office confirmed the acceptance of des Cars’ resignation on Tuesday, characterizing the decision as “an act of responsibility” during a critical period for the institution. The presidential statement emphasized the museum’s current need for “calm and a strong new impetus” to advance crucial security enhancement projects and modernization initiatives.

The October heist, which unfolded with shocking efficiency in under eight minutes during a weekend operation, represented one of the most significant museum security failures in recent history. The audacious theft of French national treasures from the prestigious institution drew international attention and raised serious questions about the museum’s protective measures.

Des Cars, who assumed leadership of the Louvre in 2021—one of the most coveted positions in the global museum community—had initially offered her resignation immediately following the October incident. That initial offer was declined by France’s Culture Minister, despite des Cars’ characterization of the event as exposing a “tragic, brutal, violent reality” for the institution.

President Macron expressed gratitude for des Cars’ “work and commitment” during her tenure and indicated intentions to assign her a new diplomatic role focused on fostering cooperation among major international museums. The presidential office did not specify whether des Cars has accepted this proposed transition to cultural diplomacy.

In a deeply symbolic meeting at London’s Clarence House, Queen Camilla of Britain hosted French rape survivor and activist Gisèle Pelicot for a private tea gathering that carried significant weight amid ongoing conversations about institutional responses to sexual violence. The 73-year-old Pelicot, currently concluding her UK book tour for the memoir “A Hymn to Life: Shame Has to Change Sides,” received personal praise from the Queen for her courageous storytelling.

During their 30-minute conversation facilitated by an interpreter, Queen Camilla expressed being profoundly moved by Pelicot’s account, revealing she had completed the memoir within just two days. “I couldn’t put it down,” the Queen remarked, adding that despite her extensive work with survivors of sexual assault, Pelicot’s particular case had left her “speechless” and “shocked.”

The meeting occurs against a complex backdrop for the British monarchy, which continues to navigate renewed scrutiny following the Andrew-Epstein scandal. This context lends additional significance to Camilla’s very public embrace of Pelicot’s cause, signaling the royal household’s attempt to demonstrate moral leadership on issues of violence against women.

Pelicot has emerged as an international symbol of resilience since waiving her anonymity to confront her abusers. Her former husband, Dominique Pelicot, received a 20-year prison sentence for drugging and raping her over nearly a decade, while permitting other men to assault her while unconscious. A landmark trial in Avignon concluded in December 2024 with fifty men convicted of rape or sexual offenses.

The survivor spoke of drawing “incredible strength” from supporters during the meeting, to which Camilla responded with affirmation: “you have so much support.” This encounter builds upon previous correspondence between the two women, including a letter from the Queen praising Pelicot’s “extraordinary dignity and courage”—a document the French activist now keeps framed in her office.

Pelicot’s memoir launch at London’s Royal Festival Hall earlier featured readings by acclaimed actors Kate Winslet, Kristin Scott Thomas, and Juliet Stevenson, attracting a sold-out audience exceeding 2,000 attendees.