New Norwegian King Haakon VIII takes oath on the constitution

King Haakon VIII. paid tribute to his late father, King Harald V., in a public speech, marking the beginning of his reign over Norway. The new monarch delivered his first address to the nation on the day following the death of his father, who had passed away on Friday. The televised eulogy for the late king was scheduled for 7 p.m. local time, as announced by the royal household. The atmosphere in Oslo remained somber even after the funeral, with citizens expressing deep grief across the city. The official mourning process followed a well-established protocol. On Saturday, condolence books were made available throughout the country, allowing individuals to record their thoughts and tributes. Mayor Anne Lindboe was among the first to contribute a personal message, noting in the newspaper VG that “you did not need a crown to be a king.” The royal family continued to honor the memory of King Harald through a series of religious services. On Sunday, multiple churches and all eleven cathedrals held funeral services, with the main ceremony taking place at Oslo Cathedral at 11 a.m. Bishop Olav Fykse Tveit of the state church expressed gratitude for the legacy left behind by the late monarch. For those wishing to pay their respects personally, the chapel of the Royal Palace became a site of quiet remembrance. After a brief stay in the Red Salon, the closed coffin of King Harald would be displayed on a covered catafalque during specific hours, allowing visitors to approach and offer their final farewell. The royal insignia, including the crown, would be placed upon the coffin. The funeral itself, yet to be officially dated, is expected to take place in a private setting, with the initial rites occurring within the palace chapel before proceeding to the cathedral and ultimately to the resting place in the Church of Akershus. Workplace and school schedules were adjusted to accommodate the national mourning period. Employees and students were granted permission to attend the funeral proceedings. At noon, a nationwide moment of silence was observed. Unlike other European monarchies, Norway does not hold traditional coronations. Instead, a modified version of the ceremonial blessing introduced by King Olav V. in 1958 continues to be practiced. This ritual was carried forward by King Harald and Queen Sonja in 1991, and it is anticipated that a similar service will be conducted for King Haakon. On Tuesday, King Haakon formally took the oath of allegiance to the constitution in the Parliament building in Oslo. His wife, Queen Mette-Marit, who recently underwent lung surgery, could not accompany him due to medical concerns. Dr. Are Holm, a lung specialist at the National Hospital in Oslo, stated that the queen had experienced complications post-surgery and required ongoing monitoring. Despite these challenges, Haakon proceeded with the solemn ceremony, walking across a red carpet into the parliamentary chamber. During the oath-taking, Haakon declared, “I pledge and swear to govern the Kingdom of Norway according to its constitution and laws, so help me God.” He repeated his father’s motto, “All for Norway,” which he inherited from King Harald. Princess Ingrid Alexandra, the new princess, stood beside her father during the ceremony and was expected to make her own oath later in the day. The royal household confirmed that the oath would be signed and submitted to the Norwegian parliament in the upcoming cabinet session. The royal family has been deeply involved in the mourning process since the passing of King Harald. His widow, Queen Sonja, along with their children, Crown Princess Ingrid Alexandra and Prince Sverre Magnus, accompanied Haakon to the parliamentary ceremony. The funeral procession for the late king began with a dignified transfer of his body from the palace to the chapel, attended by members of the royal family and the newlywed queen. Notably, Marius Borg Höiby, the son of Queen Mette-Marit, joined the procession despite being under legal scrutiny. Höiby, who faces charges of sexual assault, is currently serving a suspended sentence under electronic monitoring. His participation in the funeral was permitted as part of the broader mourning arrangements. As the nation prepares for the formal burial of King Harald, the focus remains on honoring his life and contributions. The Danish royal couple, King Frederik and Queen Mary, have already confirmed their attendance at the funeral, underscoring the international significance of the event. Public access to the royal chapel will continue until the day before the funeral, allowing citizens to pay their respects in person. The planned funeral date, set for September 9, marks the culmination of a week filled with both private reflection and public homage.