King Haakon VIII sworn in as Norway's new monarch after father's death
Quick Look
- King Haakon VIII swore an oath of allegiance to Norway's constitution in parliament in Oslo on Tuesday, succeeding his father Harald V who died last week.
- Queen Mette-Marit did not attend due to complications following a lung transplant.
- The ceremony marked the formal transition of Norway's largely symbolic monarchy.
AI-generated summary
Why It Matters
Norway regained independence from Sweden in 1905, and a plebiscite showed three-quarters of voters supported reinstating a largely symbolic constitutional monarchy. The royal family traces its roots to the ninth century.
New King Haakon VIII swore an oath of allegiance to Norway's constitution in the parliament in Oslo on Tuesday, following him succeeding his father Harald V, who died last week.
This follows a day after Harald's coffin was taken to the chapel of the royal palace, where it will remain for the public to pay their last respects until a funeral on September 9.
What happened in the parliamentary ceremony?
Haakon was driven the short distance from the royal palace to the Storting, or parliament in Oslo.
House speaker Masud Gharahkhani read the official announcement of Harald's death and Haakon's succession before the new constitutional monarch took the oath.
"I promise and swear that I will govern the Kingdom of Norway in according with its constitution and laws, so help me god, the almighty and omniscient," the 53-year-old said.
Queen Mette-Marit skips event amid complications following lung transplant
Ahead of he ceremony, the palace said that Haakon's wife Queen Mette-Marit would not be attending.
She had made her first public appearance since assuming the title on Monday in the coffin procession but is recovering after a lung transplant in June.
In a statement, the palace quoted Are Holm, a pulmonologist at Oslo's University Hospital, as saying that complications following a transplant are not uncommon and that Mette-Marit had experienced them on several occasions, including Tuesday.
"As a result, the Queen must remain under observation throughout the day. Unfortunately, the Queen will therefore be unable to attend the swearing-in ceremony at the Storting today," he said.
What's the role of Norway's largely symbolic monarchy?
Norway's royal family can trace its roots bak to the ninth century.
When the country regained its independence from Sweden in 1905, three-quarters of voters supported the idea of reinstating a largely symbolic constitutional monarchy in a plebiscite.
Most political power lies with the elected government and parliament, but Norway's royals retain a predominantly soft power role in diplomacy and promoting the country around the world.
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Edited by: Elizabeth Schumacher
What to Watch
AI outlook — possibilities, not facts
Queen Mette-Marit will resume public duties once her health stabilizes following lung transplant recovery.
Likely · Within weeks
King Haakon VIII will undertake his first official international engagement within the next few months.
Possible · Within months
Open Questions
- What is the expected timeline for Queen Mette-Marit's recovery from lung transplant complications?
- Will King Haakon VIII undertake any official state visits or diplomatic engagements in the near future?
- What specific duties will King Haakon VIII perform as part of Norway's symbolic monarchy?
