Queen Sonja of Norway given title change after husband King Harald’s death as granddaughter Ingrid Alexandra makes history

The death of King Harald V of Norway in August has brought a significant change to the title and status of his wife, Queen Sonja.

The King died on 28 August, aged 89, after being hospitalised with the rare blood condition haemolytic anaemia. His son, King Haakon, has since taken the constitutional oath of office, with his daughter, Princess Ingrid Alexandra, witnessing the ceremony as the new heir apparent to the Norwegian throne.

During his oath, translated here to English, King Haakon said: "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!" the oath read, translated from Norwegian.

“The Queen and I confirm that we are available to carry out our duty for the country and the people."

Queen Sonja became queen consort in 1991 and was formally styled “Hennes Majestet”, Norwegian for “Her Majesty”, throughout her husband’s 35-year reign. Following Harald’s death and Haakon’s accession, however, her official title has changed, marking a new chapter.

Queen Sonja of Norway (Terje Pedersen / NTB / AFP via Getty Image)

Following the death of her husband, and the accession of her son, Queen Sonja is now no longer “Majesty”.

This title is strictly for the reigning monarch and their spouse in Norway.

The stying, “Her Majesty”, now belongs to Haakon’s wife, Mette-Marit who is now the Queen of Norway.

Now, following her husband’s death and the accession of her son, Queen Sonja will simply be known as Queen Sonja, rather than “Her Majesty the Queen”.

King Haakon’s 22-year-old daughter, Princess Ingrid Alexandra, attended the ceremony, where she witnessed her father take the constitutional oath. She is now Crown Princess of Norway.

Queen Mette-Marit was absent from the ceremony because of complications following her lung transplant, the Royal House said in a statement.

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.

King Haakon (ise Åserud / NTB / AFP via Getty Images)

“The Queen will therefore unfortunately not be able to attend the swearing-in ceremony in the Storting today.”

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.

King Harald V’s funeral will take place in Oslo on Wednesday (8 September), with the service due to begin at 13:00 local time. Prince William will attend, representing his father King Charles III and the British monarchy.