Reason why Queen Mette-Marit didn’t join husband King Haakan VIII as he is sworn in
Princess Ingrid Alexandra joined her father, King Haakon VIII, for his swearing-in ceremony in Oslo on Tuesday (1 September), while Queen Mette-Marit was absent, with the reason confirmed by the palace.
The Royal House of Norway shared an update on the Queen’s health as the country’s new monarch swore the constitutional oath before parliament, following the death of King Harald V, aged 89.
Ingrid Alexandra’s appearance alongside her father marked a break with tradition. According to Hello it was a ‘historic first’ for the Norwegian Royal Family, as a future heiress has never taken the oath alongside a new monarch before.
King Haakon, 53, was formally sworn in during a ceremony at the Storting in Oslo following King Harald’s death on Friday (28 August). The late monarch was taken to hospital the previous week for treatment for a rare blood condition.
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The new monarch sat on a golden throne as he read his oath, which, translated from Norwegian, reads: "I promise and swear to govern the Kingdom of Norway in accordance with its constitution and laws, so help me God the Almighty and the All-Knowing!"
He then said: “The Queen and I confirm that we are available to carry out our duty for the country and the people."
As reported by Town&Country, Ingrid will sign the oath herself later today.
Queen Mette-Marit, King Haakon’s wife, was unable to attend the ceremony after experiencing complications following her lung transplant in June.
A statement issued by the palace reads: “It is not uncommon for complications to occur after a lung transplant. The Queen has had complications on some occasions since the operation, including today. As a result, the Queen must be observed throughout the day.
“The Queen will therefore unfortunately not be able to attend the swearing-in ceremony in the Storting today.”
Instead, Crown Princess Ingrid, 22, accompanied her father for the historic occasion.
Article 44 of the Nordic country's Constitution outlines that any person of legal age who becomes first in line to the throne has to take a written oath before the Storting.
This is the first time in recent Norwegian history that the second in line to the throne has been over the age of 18. Crown Princess Ingrid Alexandra, 22, became heir to the throne after her father, King Haakon, succeeded King Harald.
Queen Sonja and Prince Sverre Magnus attended the swearing-in from the Storting Hall on Tuesday.
Following her grandfather’s death and her father stepping up as King, she also became heir to the throne.
This breaks a 600-year-long tradition, as the last female monarch was Queen Margaret, who died in 1412.
Haakon's father, King Harald, died on Friday at the age of 89 and King Haakon VIII became king the moment his father passed away.
Since then, a number of ceremonies have taken place, including his oath before parliament pledging to uphold the country’s constitution and laws.
Thousands of residents in the Nordic country have paid tribute by laying flowers outside the palace, alongside candles and flags.
Topics: News, World News
Greg Harris