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King Haakon VIII Swears Oath to Norway’s Constitution Before Parliament
🇵🇾 Paraguay /Elections & Politics

King Haakon VIII Swears Oath to Norway’s Constitution Before Parliament

From ABC Color · () Spanish

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

At a glance

Newswire From a news agency Outcome reported
  • King Haakon VIII swore to govern Norway according to its Constitution and laws during a ceremony at the Storting.
  • The ceremony followed the death of his father, Harald V, who had reigned for 35 years.
  • Queen Mette-Marit missed the event because of complications after a June lung transplant, while thousands gathered in Oslo for the royal procession and to visit Harald V’s coffin.

King Haakon VIII formally began his reign Tuesday by swearing Norway’s constitutional oath before the Storting, four days after the death of his father, Harald V, at the age of 89.

Standing at the parliamentary podium beside his daughter, Crown Princess Ingrid Alexandra, Haakon pledged: "I promise and swear to govern the Kingdom of Norway in accordance with its Constitution and laws, so help me God almighty and all-knowing."

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

— King Haakon VIIIThe constitutional oath he swore at the Storting.

The new king said he hoped to preserve the "good relationship" that his father, his grandfather Olav V and his great-grandfather Haakon VII had maintained with Parliament. He also expressed hope that the relationship would develop in line with the tasks Norway faces in the future.

I hope that the good relationship that my father, my grandfather Olav V and my great-grandfather Haakon VII had with this institution will continue and develop in accordance with the tasks the country must face in the future.

— King Haakon VIIIHis remarks about the monarchy’s relationship with Parliament.

Queen Mette-Marit missed the ceremony because of complications related to her lung transplant in June. The Royal House said she would remain under observation. Queen Sonja, Harald V’s widow, attended, along with Haakon’s younger son, Prince Sverre Magnus, Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre, government members and lawmakers.

Parliament President Masud Gharahkhani told the new royal couple that they were taking on a heavy but unique inheritance. He described Harald V as a defender of the Constitution and democracy, and as a symbol of security, continuity and unity. The roughly 20-minute ceremony ended with attendees singing the royal anthem, "Kongesangen".

The entire country mourns the death of a monarch who served his country for 35 years with responsibility, great courage and a unique warmth.

— Masud GharahkhaniThe Norwegian Parliament president’s tribute to Harald V.

The oath ceremony has roots in the 19th century and last took place on Jan. 21, 1991, when Harald V swore the oath four days after the death of his father, Olav V. Haakon arrived from the Royal Palace in a 1966 Lincoln Continental convertible, the same car used at the weddings of Harald and Sonja, and Haakon and Mette-Marit. Thousands lined his route through central Oslo, while others queued to view Harald V’s coffin before his burial.

It is a heavy but unique inheritance that Their Majesties are taking on.

— Masud GharahkhaniHis message to Norway’s new king and queen.
About this summary

Originally published by ABC Color 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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