Politics & Governance
King Haakon VIII takes Norway oath without queen
Norway's King Haakon VIII took an oath before parliament on Tuesday, the first major institutional step of his reign, while Queen Mette-Marit missed the ceremony because of complications after a lung transplant.
Haakon, 53, became king when his father, King Harald V, died on Friday morning aged 89. Wearing a ceremonial uniform, he swore in parliament to govern Norway in accordance with its constitution and laws. Norway's monarch has a primarily symbolic role.
Queen Mette-Marit, 53, was absent because she remains under observation after a June 17 lung transplant. Are Holm, head of the pulmonary department at Oslo University Hospital, said in a palace statement that complications after a transplant are not uncommon and that the queen had complications on several occasions, including Tuesday.
The couple's eldest daughter, Ingrid Alexandra, now crown princess at 22, attended the ceremony. She also took the oath on Tuesday in writing at the Royal Palace.
Haakon and members of parliament observed a minute of silence for Harald. His funeral will be held on September 9 at Oslo Cathedral, after which he will be laid to rest in the royal mausoleum at Akershus Fortress in Oslo.
Thousands lined up outside the Royal Palace chapel, where Harald is lying in state until the day before the funeral. The late king died while being treated at Oslo University Hospital for haemolytic anaemia.
A poll published by public broadcaster NRK put support for the monarchy at 72% after Harald's death, up eight points from a previous survey in May. Norway abolished coronations in 1908, so Haakon and Mette-Marit will not be crowned, though Haakon could choose a consecration ceremony at Trondheim Cathedral.
Update
Crown Princess Ingrid Alexandra took the oath in writing at the Royal Palace.
Thousands lined up outside the Royal Palace chapel where King Harald V is lying in state.
King Harald V died while being treated for haemolytic anaemia at Oslo University Hospital.
An NRK poll put support for the monarchy at 72% after Harald's death, up eight points from May.
Source note: AFP news report published on 1 September 2026 at 14:09:16 UTC.
Update
King Haakon VIII took the oath before Norway's parliament on Tuesday.
Crown Princess Ingrid Alexandra attended the ceremony and was to take her oath in writing at the Royal Palace.
Haakon and members of parliament observed a minute of silence for King Harald V.
Harald will be laid to rest in the royal mausoleum at Akershus Fortress after his September 9 funeral.
Members of the public can pay respects while Harald lies in state at the palace chapel until the day before the funeral.
Source note: AFP news report published on 1 September 2026 at 11:40:06 UTC.
Update
Queen Mette-Marit will not attend King Haakon VIII's swearing-in ceremony.
A palace statement said she is under observation after complications from a lung transplant she had in June.
Are Holm of Oslo University Hospital said complications after a transplant are not uncommon and that the queen had complications on several occasions since the operation, including Tuesday.
Source note: AFP news report published on 1 September 2026 at 09:11:19 UTC.
Update
King Haakon VIII was due to swear allegiance to Norway's constitution in parliament on Tuesday at 1:00 pm, 1100 GMT.
NRK published a poll showing 72 percent support for the monarchy after Harald's death, up eight points from a May survey.
Harald's funeral is scheduled for September 9.
Marius Borg Hoiby is under house arrest pending appeal against a four-year sentence for two rape convictions and has permission to attend Harald's funeral.
Queen Mette-Marit had a lung transplant in June and is under scrutiny for her ties to Jeffrey Epstein.
Source note: AFP news report published on 1 September 2026 at 08:10:37 UTC.
Update
Trump mourned King Harald V's death and called it "a truly big loss".
Source note: AFP news report published on 29 August 2026 at 02:06:29 UTC.
Update
A spokesman for UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres said Guterres was deeply saddened by King Harald's death and cited his work on children's welfare, environmental issues, diversity and generosity.
Source note: AFP news report published on 28 August 2026 at 19:30:01 UTC.
Update
European monarchs and world leaders issued further tributes to King Harald after his death.
Jordan's King Abdullah ordered his court to observe three days of mourning.
Tributes were reported from royal families and leaders including Britain, Denmark, Sweden, the Netherlands, Belgium, Spain, Jordan, NATO, the EU, France, Ukraine, Canada, Italy, Israel and Switzerland.
Source note: AFP news report published on 28 August 2026 at 15:16:30 UTC.
Update
Crown Prince Haakon automatically becomes king after King Harald V’s death.
Haakon summoned the government to the palace to formally inform it of the death.
Haakon is expected to announce his royal name and motto.
Haakon must swear an oath before parliament in the coming days.
Princess Ingrid Alexandra automatically becomes crown princess.
The funeral date has not yet been made public.
Haakon could choose to have his reign blessed in a consecration ceremony at Trondheim Cathedral.
Source note: AFP news report published on 28 August 2026 at 10:15:34 UTC.
Update
Britain's King Charles III called King Harald his “dear cousin” and praised his dedication to Norway.
The kings of Denmark and Sweden, the Dutch royal family, Belgian royals, NATO chief Mark Rutte, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and Swiss President Guy Parmelin also paid tribute.
Sweden's King Carl XVI Gustaf referred to Harald's royal motto, “All for Norway,” in his tribute.
NATO chief Mark Rutte said Harald's military roots made him a champion of the Norwegian military and a long-time friend of NATO.
Source note: AFP news report published on 28 August 2026 at 09:14:01 UTC.
Update
Spain's royal household expressed sadness over King Harald's death and offered condolences.
The Spanish royal household described King Harald as an example of responsibility, dignity, simplicity and tireless dedication to Norway.
Source note: AFP news report published on 28 August 2026 at 09:01:39 UTC.
Update
French President Emmanuel Macron expressed deep sadness over King Harald V's death.
Macron praised Harald's contribution to Norway-France relations.
The Norwegian palace announced that Crown Prince Haakon automatically succeeded Harald on the throne.
Source note: AFP news report published on 28 August 2026 at 08:30:53 UTC.
Update
Israeli President Isaac Herzog expressed condolences for King Harald V's death.
Herzog noted Harald's more than 35 years as king in a social media post.
The item notes Harald's early support for the Oslo Accords between Israel and the Palestinians.
Source note: AFP news report published on 28 August 2026 at 08:08:32 UTC.
Update
The royal palace said King Harald V died on Friday, August 28, at age 89.
The palace said he died peacefully at Oslo University Hospital at 6:35 am.
AFP described Harald as Europe's oldest reigning monarch.
Source note: AFP news report published on 28 August 2026 at 06:43:39 UTC.
Update
Norwegian broadcaster NRK reported that Crown Prince Haakon and Crown Princess Mette-Marit returned to Oslo University Hospital a second time on Thursday evening.
Source note: AFP news report published on 27 August 2026 at 19:45:20 UTC.
Update
The palace said late Thursday afternoon that King Harald's condition was unchanged.
Additional relatives were seen leaving Oslo University Hospital after visiting the king.
Norway's bishops cut short a Rome visit after the palace update.
Source note: AFP news report published on 27 August 2026 at 15:44:33 UTC.
Update
Queen Sonja, Crown Prince Haakon and other family members were with King Harald at Oslo University Hospital.
Norwegian media images showed Crown Princess Mette-Marit and the couple's adult children arriving at the hospital.
Members of the public began laying flowers outside the palace in Oslo.
Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Store cancelled a work trip to Germany after the update on the king's health.
Source note: AFP news report published on 27 August 2026 at 10:20:22 UTC.
Update
Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Store said he was deeply affected by the news and sent warm thoughts to the king and royal family.
Norway's bishops cut short a study visit to Rome and were to return to Norway after the palace announcement, according to Christian newspaper Vart Land.
Source note: AFP news report published on 27 August 2026 at 08:47:42 UTC.
Update
Queen Sonja and Crown Prince Haakon cancelled all royal engagements during King Harald's illness.
Norwegian media said Queen Sonja, Crown Prince Haakon and Crown Princess Mette-Marit were at the king's bedside.
Source note: AFP news report published on 27 August 2026 at 07:53:15 UTC.
Update
Norway's palace said King Harald V was in extremely serious condition in hospital.
Source note: AFP news report published on 27 August 2026 at 07:23:26 UTC.
Update
The palace had previously said King Harald canceled a visit to Trondelag scheduled for September 1 and 2.
Several members of the royal family, including Crown Prince Haakon, have visited King Harald in hospital.
Source note: AFP news report published on 23 August 2026 at 18:01:55 UTC.
Update
The palace said King Harald is receiving antibiotics for a bacterial infection in his blood.
The palace said the king has responded to the treatment.
Source note: AFP news report published on 23 August 2026 at 17:52:05 UTC.
Update
The palace said Norwegian King Harald's health has deteriorated.
Source note: AFP news report published on 23 August 2026 at 17:47:07 UTC.
Uncertainty notes
Haakon could choose a consecration ceremony at Trondheim Cathedral, but no decision is stated.
Source
AFP news report published on .