Norway’s New King Haakon VIII.
Copenhagen, Sep 1 (EFE).-
King Haakon VIII of Norway swore the constitutional oath before Parliament on Tuesday, formally beginning his reign four days after the death of his father, Harald V, at age 89.
“I promise and swear that I will govern the Kingdom of Norway in accordance with its Constitution and Laws; so help me God, the Almighty and Omniscient,” Haakon said from the Storting, parliament podium.
The new king expressed hope that the “good relationship” his father, grandfather and great-grandfather maintained with Parliament would continue and develop in response to the challenges facing the country.
Queen Mette-Marit, Haakon’s wife, was unable to attend the ceremony because of complications related to the lung transplant she underwent in June. The Norwegian Royal Household said she would remain under observation.
Prince Sverre Magnus, the couple’s younger son, and Queen Sonja, Harald’s widow, attended, along with Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Store, government officials and lawmakers.
Parliament President Masud Gharahkhani opened his remarks with a minute of silence for Harald, praising the late king’s unwavering defense of Norway’s Constitution and democracy.
Harald, who reigned for 35 years, was a symbol of security and unity, Gharahkhani said, adding that the new monarchs had assumed a heavy but unique legacy.
The roughly 20-minute ceremony ended with those present singing “Kongesangen,” the royal anthem.
Crown Princess Ingrid Alexandra will also take a similar oath before Parliament, but hers will be made in writing.
Haakon arrived at the Storting from the Royal Palace in a 1966 Lincoln Continental convertible, the same vehicle used at the weddings of Harald and Sonja and Haakon and Mette-Marit.
Thousands of people lined the route through central Oslo as the king traveled to Parliament. Others gathered outside the Royal Palace to pay their respects to Harald, whose coffin is lying in state through Sep. 8, the eve of his funeral.
The constitutional oath ceremony dates to the 19th century. It was last held in 1991, when Harald swore the oath four days after the death of his father, Olav V. EFE
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