The Demise of the Crown

A succession with a new head of state. What happens when a Norwegian monarch passes away? What procedures and protocols are in place? And who becomes the next King?

The Kingdom of Norway is in a delicate situation as King Harald is seriously ill in hospital. The King was admitted earlier this month after cortisone treatment led to fluid accumulation in the body. After various medical examinations, His Majesty was admitted to Oslo’s Rikshospitalet [the National Hospital] for medical assistance. The initial word was that King Harald was responding to treatment, and, as with various other hospitalisations, many believe the King will pull through as the Royal Family pays daily visits.

This past weekend, the Royal Court gave a sobering update. The 89-year-old King of Norway was receiving antibiotics for a bloodstream infection. They also noted that His Majesty’s condition had ‘deteriorated’, verbiage the Royal Court had never used before. The statement sent alarm bells ringing around the world. With worry in the air, the Court announced the following day that there were no “significant changes” and that the situation was stable. Days passed without any update until Thursday 27 August, when the Palace issued an unprecedented statement: “His Majesty the King’s health condition is very serious,” and all engagements were cancelled.

Almost the entire Royal Family then descended on the National Hospital; Queen Sonja, Crown Prince Regent Haakon and Crown Princess Mette-Marit, Princess Ingrid Alexandra, Prince Sverre Magnus, Princess Astrid, Princess Märtha Louise, Leah Behn as well as Marius Borg Høiby. The family left at different intervals throughout the afternoon. The Crown Prince Couple then travelled back to Rikshospitalet in the evening, where Haakon reportedly stayed overnight as Mette-Marit returned home to Skaugum. 

Hundreds began to gather in front of the Royal Palace in Oslo. Many were visibly upset as they left flowers, cards, and messages of support for their beloved sovereign. In response to the King’s deteriorating condition, government and religious leaders have cancelled all their programmes and are returning to Norway if not already in the country. “We send all our warmest thoughts and best wishes to our beloved King and the entire royal family,” President of the Storting Masud Gharahkhani told NRK. The King’s Life Guard cancelled their drill scheduled for this Friday.

As Norway deals with the decline in health of their beloved King Harald, what comes next? What is expected to happen as the throne passes from one person to another, as we witness the ‘Demise of the Crown’ (a legal term in the UK that describes the death of a monarch and accession of a new sovereign).

1. The Demise: A monarch’s death is certified by medical personnel, most likely the sovereign’s personal physician. Prof. Bjørn Bendz has been looking after King Harald since 2o20. The throne is immediately passed to the next in line. “Kongen er død — Leve Kongen” / “The King is dead — Long live the King.”
2. Government Informed: The President of the Storting, who is the highest-ranking person in the land after the Royal Family, and members of the Government are informed.
3. Council Meeting: After relevant parties are informed, the new sovereign calls an ‘Extraordinary Council of State’ meeting, which will most likely take place at the Royal Palace in Oslo. During the meeting, the new monarch will announce the death of their predecessor and assume the responsibilities of sovereignty, choosing a regnal name as well as their motto.
4. Formal Announcement: Once all relevant governmental parties are informed, including overseas embassies and consulates, a formal announcement is made by the Royal Court of Norway announcing the death of the previous monarch. This may include a speech by the new sovereign, as was done by King Harald V in 1991.
5. Oath to the Storting: In the days that follow, one of the most important tasks is for the new sovereign, pursuant to Article 9 of the Constitution, to swear an oath to reign in accordance with law in a formal ceremony at the Storting.
6. Mourning: An official mourning period will have been declared, with thousands of the public expected to flock in front of the family’s Royal Residences. Flags will fly at half-mast and portraits of the former monarch will be displayed.
7. State Funeral: A State Funeral will be held, which will be attended by foreign royalty and heads of state of various countries. The formal ceremonies will be preceded by a private interment attended by immediate family.
8. Consecration: After the mourning period has ended, and appropriate time has elapsed, the new sovereign will attend their Consecration that will bless the new Royal Couple in accordance with tradition. Upon the accession of King Olav, the former coronation ceremony was replaced with a consecration ceremony in 1958.

Norway holds its breath as its King is seriously ill in hospital. It remains to be seen what will happen in the days to come. The Royal News Organisation will bring you any developments as they happen.