King Haakon VIII Takes Oath in Norway's Parliament

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, at the age of 89 on Friday.

The 53-year-old king travelled the short distance from the royal palace to the Storting in an open car, passing crowds gathered along the route. Inside the parliament building, speaker Masud Gharahkhani read the official announcement 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 said in Norwegian.

He also announced his royal motto, "Everything for Norway," a phrase that dates back to his great-grandfather. The king and Queen Mette-Marit confirmed their readiness to serve the country and its people.

Norway's monarchy traces its roots to King Harald Fairhair in the ninth century. After Norway gained independence from Sweden in 1905, a national plebiscite saw three-quarters of voters approve restoring the monarchy. Today, the royal family's role is largely ceremonial, with political power resting with the elected government and parliament.

Queen Mette-Marit was absent from the ceremony due to complications following her lung transplant in June. The palace quoted pulmonologist Are Holm of Oslo's University Hospital as saying such complications are not uncommon and that the queen required observation throughout the day.

King Harald's coffin remains in the chapel of the royal palace, where the public can pay their respects from Tuesday afternoon until September 8. His funeral is scheduled for September 9.