King Haakon VIII sworn in before Parliament in Oslo
Ceremony in Oslo followed the passing of King Harald V; Queen Sonja and the royal children attended, while Queen Mette‑Marit missed the event for health reasons.
King Haakon VIII officially took the constitutional oath before the Norwegian Parliament in Oslo today, after the death of his father, King Harald V.
Royal family attends; queen absent for health reasons
Large crowds gathered along the route to watch the new monarch travel from the Royal Palace to the Parliament building in an open‑top car. Haakon, 53, later walked the red carpet into the chamber as officials completed the formalities.
Queen Sonja, the widow of Harald V, and Haakon's children — Crown Princess Ingrid Alexandra and Prince Sverre Magnus — accompanied the king at the ceremony. Haakon's wife, the new Queen Mette‑Marit, who this summer underwent a lung transplant, was unable to attend for health reasons.
Haakon became king immediately after Harald's death on Friday; the late monarch was 89. Harald's funeral is scheduled for September 9.
Yesterday, Harald's coffin was moved in a solemn ceremony from the palace's reception hall to the palace chapel. The procession included Haakon, Queen Sonja, the late king's children and grandchildren, and Mette‑Marit.
From this afternoon, members of the public will be allowed to file past the closed coffin in procession until the day before the funeral.
Photo: press material from the event
