{
  "id": 4955732,
  "title": "Norway’s New King Haakon VIII Takes Oath as Queen Mette-Marit Recovers From Lung Transplant",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/01/norways-new-king-haakon-viii-takes-oath-as-queen-mette-marit-recovers",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-09-01T22:20:00.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Colombia One",
    "slug": "colombia-one",
    "url": "https://colombiaone.com/2026/09/01/norway-new-king-haakon-viii-takes-oath/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Norway's King Haakon VIII took his oath of allegiance to the nation's Constitution at the Storting, or Parliament, on Tuesday, September 1st, four days after the passing of his father, King Harald V. Crown Princess Ingrid Alexandra stood by her husband during the 17-minute ceremony. Meanwhile, Queen Mette-Marit remained at home as she recuperated from a recent lung transplant and complications following the procedure.\n\nHaakon, 53, ascended to the throne upon his father's death on August 28th at the age of 89, thus concluding a reign that exceeded three decades. The oath, required by Article 9 of Norway's Constitution, serves as a formal requirement at the inception of a new reign.\n\nNorway, which discontinued coronations in 1908, now employs the parliamentary oath as the customary ceremonial act for succeeding monarchs. Haakon reinstated the royal motto \"All for Norway,\" a phrase also used by his predecessors Harald, Olav V, and Haakon VII.\n\nThe oath took place as Norway commenced mourning for their late monarch. The parliamentary speaker, Masud Gharahkhani, paid tribute to Harald during the proceedings, marking the conclusion of the late king's extensive public service.\n\nAs the head of state, Haakon's role primarily consists of ceremonial and representative duties. He represents Norway at home and abroad, and bears the responsibility of formal proceedings following parliamentary elections. The king's political power, however, remains with the elected parliament and government.\n\nHaakon spent a significant portion of his adult life preparing for his responsibilities. Born in Oslo on July 20th, 1973, he became the crown prince following his father's ascension to the throne in 1991. He pursued political science at the University of California, Berkeley, and development studies at the London School of Economics. Additionally, he received military training and served in the Norwegian armed forces.\n\nDuring his reign as crown prince, Haakon participated in state visits and other official assignments within Norway and abroad. He represented the royal family at national ceremonies and international events, and served as regent on multiple occasions when his father was unable to fulfill his duties.\n\nMette-Marit's absence from the ceremony was the most evident change in the royal family's representation at the parliament. She has been absent from public duties since 2018 due to a lung condition known as pulmonary fibrosis, which progressively affected her lung function. Diagnosed with the disease in 2018, Mette-Marit was placed on Norway's transplant waiting list in June 2018, receiving a successful lung transplant on June 17th at Oslo University Hospital Rikshospitalet.\n\nAlthough Mette-Marit has been discharged, complications arising from her recovery necessitate continued medical observation. Consequently, she was unable to attend the oath ceremony alongside her husband. Haakon's daughter, Ingrid Alexandra, accompanied her father at the parliament, serving as the first in line to the Norwegian throne under gender-neutral succession rules. Prince Sverre Magnus, their second child, is ranked second in line.\n\nAs Norway continues preparations for King Harald V's funeral, the royal family remains in public mourning. King Harald V assumed the throne in 1991 following the death of his predecessor, King Olav V, and served as the nation's head of state for over three decades. His funeral is scheduled to take place at Oslo Cathedral on September 9th.\n\nIn the days following Tuesday's oath, the royal family's attention will shift towards the final ceremony held at Oslo Cathedral on September 9th, where Norway will bid farewell to their late monarch, Harald V.",
  "summary": "King Haakon VIII swore allegiance to Norway’s Constitution before parliament on Tuesday, Sept. 1, four days after his father, King Harald V, died. Crown Princess Ingrid Alexandra stood beside him during the 17-minute ceremony at the Storting (parliament) in Oslo, while Queen Mette-Marit remained at home as she recovered from a lung transplant and complications […]",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Qatar Tribune",
        "title": "Norway’s new King Haakon VIII takes oath",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/01/norways-new-king-haakon-viii-takes-oath",
        "published": "2026-09-01T21:00:00.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}