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Haakon VIII Sworn In as Norway’s King in Ceremony Marked by Queen Mette-Marit’s Absence

From El Nacional · () Spanish

Translated from Spanish and summarized by DistantNews. Read the original for the full story.

At a glance

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  • King Haakon VIII formally assumed his constitutional duties before Norway’s Parliament after succeeding his late father, Harald V.
  • Queen consort Mette-Marit missed the ceremony while doctors observed complications following her June 17 lung transplant.
  • Norway’s Parliament held a minute of silence for Harald V, whose state funeral is scheduled for Sept. 9 at Oslo Cathedral.

King Haakon VIII formally swore to uphold Norway’s Constitution and laws before Parliament on Tuesday, in the first solemn institutional ceremony of his reign. His accession came just days after the death of his father, Harald V, who had led the Norwegian Crown since 1991.

The ceremony was overshadowed by the absence of Queen consort Mette-Marit. She remains under medical observation after complications linked to a lung transplant performed on June 17 to treat a chronic pulmonary disease. Medical officials said she had experienced complications several times since the operation, including on Tuesday, and would remain under observation throughout the day.

Haakon, 53, pronounced the declaration required under Norway’s constitutional framework: “I promise and swear to govern the Kingdom of Norway in accordance with its Constitution and laws. May almighty and all-knowing God help me!” Norway’s monarch has strictly ceremonial and representative duties under the country’s constitutional system.

I promise and swear to govern the Kingdom of Norway in accordance with its Constitution and laws. May almighty and all-knowing God help me!

— King Haakon VIIIThe constitutional oath he delivered before Parliament.

The oath was attended by Queen Sonja, the widow of Harald V, and the new heir apparent, Princess Ingrid Alexandra, along with other members of the royal household. Hours after the parliamentary session, local media reported that the king arrived at the hospital to accompany his wife.

The Royal House referred questions about Mette-Marit’s condition to Are Holm, head of the Department of Pulmonology at Oslo University Hospital. Parliament also paid tribute to Harald V with a minute of silence. The former king died at age 89 at Oslo National Hospital from hemolytic anemia. His state funeral will take place on Sept. 9 at Oslo Cathedral.

The queen has had complications on several occasions since the operation, including today. Therefore, she will need to remain under observation throughout the day.

— Are HolmThe Oslo University Hospital pulmonology chief described Mette-Marit’s medical condition.
About this summary

Originally published by El Nacional in Spanish. Translated, summarized, and contextualized automatically by DistantNews, with a note on how the source frames the story. Not individually reviewed before publishing. How this works.

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