King Harald V of Norway (right) pays his respects at the coffin of Queen Elizabeth II, Lying in State inside Westminster Hall, at the Palace of Westminster in London on September 18, 2022. (PHOTO / POOL / AFP)

OSLO - Norway's King Harald has been hospitalized in Malaysia with an infection, the Norwegian royal household said on Tuesday.

The 87-year-old monarch is on a private trip to the South East Asian country.

King Harald has been Norway's ceremonial head of state since 1991 and is Europe's oldest living monarch

"His majesty the king has fallen ill during his holiday stay in Malaysia, and is hospitalized there, with an infection. The king receives good care from both Malaysian and Norwegian medical personnel," the royal household said in a statement.

King Harald has been Norway's ceremonial head of state since 1991 and is Europe's oldest living monarch. He has repeatedly been hospitalized with infections in recent years, and has also undergone heart surgery.

READ MORE: Norway's King Harald hospitalized, in stable condition

Crown Prince Haakon presides in his father's absence.