On Tuesday, King Haakon VIII took an oath of allegiance before the Norwegian parliament, marking a significant milestone in the transition of the monarchy following the passing of his father, King Harald V, who reigned for 35 years.
Dressed in formal ceremonial attire, King Haakon, who ascended to the throne upon his father’s death last Friday, pledged to uphold the nation’s 1814 constitution, with his 22-year-old daughter, Crown Princess Ingrid Alexandra, by his side.
“I vow to govern the Kingdom of Norway in accordance with its constitution and laws, so help me God, the Almighty and Omniscient,” the 53-year-old monarch declared to the gathered cabinet ministers and members of parliament in the main assembly of the 169-seat legislature.
Unfortunately, Haakon’s wife, Mette-Marit, aged 53, was unable to attend the 17-minute ceremony due to complications following her lung transplant in June. Medical professionals indicated that such issues are not uncommon in recovery.
Dr. Are Holm, a pulmonologist at Oslo University Hospital, noted that the queen had experienced “occasional complications related to the surgery, including today, which necessitates her observation throughout the day.”
King Harald’s funeral is scheduled for September 9 in Oslo, where leaders from around the globe are invited to pay their respects. He was widely admired in Norway for his genuine demeanor, humble lifestyle, and commitment to fostering national unity.
In recent days, tens of thousands of Norwegians have visited the royal palace to leave flowers, drawings, candles, and flags in honor of the late king.
A recent poll conducted by the public broadcaster NRK indicated that support for the monarchy has increased in recent months. The survey, the first since Harald’s death at the age of 89, revealed that approximately 72% of Norwegians now favor the monarchy, a rise from 54% in May. Support had previously dipped to 60% in February amid various scandals involving the royal family.
Mette-Marit has faced considerable scrutiny due to her past associations with Jeffrey Epstein, while her son from a prior relationship, Marius Borg Høiby, is currently appealing a four-year sentence for two convictions of rape.
In response to King Haakon’s oath, Masud Gharahkhani, the parliament’s president, who arrived in Norway as a child refugee from Iran, remarked that King Harald embodied “the values that support our liberal democracy,” including empathy and compassion.
Norway does not hold formal coronation ceremonies, having abolished the practice over a century ago. However, King Haakon may opt to have his accession blessed at Nidaros Cathedral in Trondheim, similar to the ceremonies of his father and grandfather.
King Harald, who will be interred in the royal mausoleum at Akershus Fortress in Oslo, passed away while receiving treatment for hemolytic anemia, a condition characterized by the rapid destruction of red blood cells.
