Norway's new king, Haakon VIII, aged 53, took the oath this Tuesday before Parliament, in the first major institutional ceremony of his reign. The monarch automatically ascended to the throne the previous Friday, following the death of his father, Harald V, at 89.
During the ceremony, Haakon declared the official oath formula: "I promise and swear to govern the Kingdom of Norway in accordance with its Constitution and laws. May God Almighty and Omniscient help me!" In Norway, the role of the king is essentially representative and ceremonial.
The ceremony was attended by Queen Sonja, Harald V's widow, and Crown Princess Ingrid Alexandra, Haakon's eldest daughter. Both were dressed in black in mourning for the death of the previous king.
Queen Mette-Marit, Haakon's wife, did not attend Parliament.




