Norway | King Haakon VIII’s oath is unusually short

King Haakon VIII’s oath before Norway’s parliament contains only one promise: to rule the kingdom according to its constitution and laws, with an appeal for God’s help.

The king is due to swear the oath at 2 p.m. Finnish time in the Storting, Norway’s 169-member parliament. He is expected to give a short speech afterward, followed by remarks from the parliamentary speaker in memory of King Harald and in welcome to the new monarch.

The wording dates to 1814, when Norway became a constitutional monarchy. The oath reflects the principle that the king must act under the constitution and laws. Unlike some other royal or presidential oaths, it does not separately promise to serve the people or defend the realm.

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I promise and swear to rule the Kingdom of Norway in accordance with its constitution and laws. May God, almighty and all-knowing, help me.

Queen Mette-Marit will not attend the ceremony. She underwent a lung transplant in June and has developed complications that a doctor described as common after such surgery. Her condition will be monitored for a day, according to Verdens Gang.

Mette-Marit was seen in Oslo on Friday with other members of the royal family as they accompanied Harald’s coffin from the hospital to the Royal Palace. Harald’s funeral will take place next Wednesday at Oslo Cathedral. The public can pay its respects at the coffin in the Royal Palace chapel until Tuesday, before a ceremonial procession carries it to the cathedral. Norway will observe a minute of silence at 1 p.m. on the day of the funeral.

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I, N.N., elected by the people of Finland as president of the Republic of Finland, affirm that in my office as president I will sincerely and faithfully observe the constitution and laws of the Republic and do everything in my power to promote the prosperity of the Finnish people.