King Haakon VIII Sworn In as Norway's New Monarch

Norway's new monarch, King Haakon VIII, formally pledged allegiance to the country's constitution in parliament on Tuesday, marking a key step in his succession following the death of his father, King Harald V, on Friday at the age of 89.

The 53-year-old king travelled the short distance from the royal palace to the Storting in an open car. Parliament speaker Masud Gharahkhani read the official proclamation of Harald's death and Haakon's accession before the new king took the oath.

"I promise and swear that I will govern the Kingdom of Norway in accordance with its Constitution and Laws; so help me God, the Almighty and Omniscient," Haakon declared.

Haakon has adopted the motto "All for Norway," a phrase first used by his great-grandfather. The Norwegian monarchy traces its lineage to King Harald Fairhair in the ninth century, and was restored by popular referendum in 1905 after the country gained independence from Sweden. Today, the monarchy serves a largely ceremonial role, with political power resting with the elected government and parliament.

King Harald's coffin was moved to the royal palace chapel in Oslo on Monday, where it will lie until his funeral on September 9. The chapel will be open to the public from Tuesday afternoon until September 8 for mourners to pay their respects, though photography and leaving flowers or items are not permitted.

Queen Mette-Marit, Haakon's wife, made her first official appearance since her lung transplant in June during Monday's coffin procession. However, she was unable to attend Tuesday's swearing-in ceremony. Palace physician Are Holm, a pulmonologist at Oslo University Hospital, said complications after transplants are not uncommon and that the queen required observation throughout the day.