King Haakon takes oath before parliament

King Haakon VIII took the Oath in the Storting today in accordance with the Norwegian Constitution.  

The King of Norway formally accepted responsibility as sovereign this morning in a ceremony at the country’s parliament building, following in the footsteps of his father and grandfather. While Haakon VIII became King the moment his father passed away last Friday, today’s solemn ceremony saw the King swear to govern the Kingdom in front of the Storting [Norwegian Parliament].

The royal family departed the Royal Palace — King Haakon driven in the famous 1966 Lincoln Continental Convertible — en route to the Storting, along roads lined with half-mast Norwegian flags. Many people turned out to see the royals as they processed in the morning.

Photo: Hans Kristian Thorbjørnsen/Stortinget

King Haakon and the royal family arrived at the Storting building and were met by the vice presidents. The family entered, then proceeded to a side room before the proceedings began.

The King and the Crown Princess entered the Parliament chamber, followed by Queen Sonja and Prince Sverre Magnus. Once inside, King Haakon addressed the chamber, where he pledged to govern with God’s help.

I promise and swear that I will govern the kingdom of Norway in accordance with its constitution and laws; so help me God, the almighty and omniscient. 

President of the Storting,

At this first meeting between the people’s elected representatives and me as King of Norway, I would like to express my hope that the good relationship that has existed between the Storting and my father, King Harald, my grandfather, King Olav, and my great-grandfather, King Haakon, can be maintained and then developed in line with the tasks that the country will face in the future.

The Queen and I would like to confirm that we are available to carry out our work for the country and the people. In this tradition, I, as King of Norway, have also adopted the motto “Everything for Norway”. — King Haakon VIII 

A moment of silence was also held in memory of the late King Harald.

Queen Mette-Marit was due to accompany her husband, King Haakon, but the royal court made a last-minute cancellation of Her Majesty’s attendance. This is due to complications from the Queen’s lung transplant in June.

It is not uncommon for complications to occur after a lung transplant. The Queen has had complications on some occasions since the operation, including today. As a result, the Queen must be observed throughout the day. The Queen will therefore unfortunately not be able to attend the swearing-in ceremony in the Storting today. — Pulmonologist Are Holm, Rikshospitalet