Haakon VIII sworn in as Norway’s king without wife, who is recovering from a transplant

Norway’s new king, Haakon VIII, swore the constitutional oath before Parliament on Tuesday in the first major institutional ceremony of his reign. His wife, Queen Mette-Marit, was absent as she continued recovering from a lung transplant.

Haakon, 53, became king automatically on Friday after the death of his father, Harald V. Norway’s monarch has an essentially representative and ceremonial role. During the ceremony, Haakon said, “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!”

Queen Sonia, Harald’s widow, and Crown Princess Ingrid Alexandra, Haakon’s eldest daughter, attended the ceremony dressed in black. Mette-Marit could not attend because she remains in recovery after undergoing a lung transplant on June 17 to treat an incurable lung disease.

Parliament also held a minute of silence in memory of Harald V, who died at age 89 at Oslo National Hospital. He had been admitted with hemolytic anemia, a blood disorder that destroys red blood cells. His funeral will be held at Oslo Cathedral on Sept. 9. Harald had reigned since 1991.

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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!