Crown Princess Ingrid Alexandra signs written oath

Crown Princess Ingrid Alexandra signs a written oath in a historic first for Norway.

Friday morning saw King Haakon undertake the traditional swearing-in ceremony during the oath of allegiance at the Storting. In the event that the King is unavailable, for various reasons such as travel or illness, the next in line is called upon to serve as tegent.

This was the case many times over the past few years as we saw the decline in health of King Harald and then-Crown Prince Haakon serve as regent on His late Majesty’s behalf. Now that King Harald has passed, Ingrid Alexandra has become next in line as well as Crown Princess. The future duty of regency now falls upon the twenty-two-year-old who many hold in high regard.

On Friday afternoon, after returning to the Palace, Crown Princess Ingrid Alexandra had her own, albeit very short, oath ceremony. The Crown Princess signed an Oath to the Storting that formally and legally allows her to act as regent.

The death of King Harald marks the first time in modern Norwegian history that the heir to the throne is over the age of 18; therefore, Crown Princess Ingrid Alexandra took an oath in writing before the Storting — in accordance with Article 44 of the Constitution. During the first subsequent cabinet meeting, King Haakon will inform the public that the oath has been signed and sent to the Storting.