Archive · 2 Sep 2026
Haakon VIII Takes Oath as Norway’s New Monarch
Haakon VIII became Norway’s king after his father, Harald V, died on Friday.
He formally began his reign by promising to follow Norway’s Constitution and laws.
He made this promise in front of the country’s parliament.
His wife, Queen Mette-Marit, could not attend because she is recovering from a lung transplant.
Doctors said she had experienced complications and needed to stay under observation.
Haakon drove her to and from the hospital while the ceremony was taking place.
Their daughter Ingrid Alexandra is now crown princess and also made an oath.
People stood in line to pay respects to Harald, whose funeral will be held on September 9.
A poll found that support for Norway’s monarchy had risen to 72 percent.
King Haakon VIII swore allegiance to Norway’s Constitution and laws before parliament on Tuesday.
Queen Mette-Marit missed the ceremony while recovering from complications after her June 17 lung transplant.
Doctors said the queen had experienced complications and would remain under observation at Oslo University Hospital.
Haakon’s daughter Ingrid Alexandra became crown princess and also took her oath in writing.
An NRK poll found that 72 percent of Norwegians supported the monarchy after King Harald V’s death.
- Who
- King Haakon VIII, Queen Mette-Marit, Crown Princess Ingrid Alexandra, and Norway’s parliament are central to the event.
- What
- Haakon VIII swore an oath to uphold Norway’s Constitution and laws, formally beginning his reign.
- When
- The oath-taking occurred on Tuesday, following King Harald V’s death on Friday; Harald’s funeral is scheduled for September 9.
- Where
- The ceremony took place in parliament’s main chamber in Norway; Queen Mette-Marit was treated at Oslo University Hospital.
- Why
- The oath is a major institutional step marking the start of Haakon’s reign.
Monarchy Supporters
Monarchy Critics and Scrutiny
Public backing
Monarchy Supporters
The NRK poll reported that 72 percent of Norwegians supported the monarchy, an eight-point increase from May, following Harald’s death.
Monarchy Critics and Scrutiny
Support had fallen to its lowest level in February, although it still stood at 60 percent, amid scandals involving the royal family.
Royal family reputation
Monarchy Supporters
Harald was widely regarded as representing an open and tolerant Norway, and the monarchy’s reported support increased after his death.
Monarchy Critics and Scrutiny
Mette-Marit received a character score of 5.2 out of 10 in the NRK survey, while scrutiny focused on her ties to Jeffrey Epstein and the legal case involving her son, Marius Borg Hoiby.
- New monarch
- Haakon VIII, age 53
- Previous monarch
- Harald V, who died aged 89 after treatment for haemolytic anaemia
- Queen’s condition
- Mette-Marit is recovering from a June 17 lung transplant and experienced post-operative complications
- Crown princess
- Ingrid Alexandra, Haakon and Mette-Marit’s eldest daughter, age 22
- Public support
- 72 percent supported the monarchy in an NRK poll, up eight percentage points from May
- Funeral
- Harald’s funeral is scheduled for September 9 at Oslo Cathedral
- Coronation
- Norway abolished coronations in 1908; Haakon may choose a separate consecration ceremony