Norway: Oath of Allegiance ceremony

In a short ceremony at the Storting (the Norwegian Parliament) today, King Haakon VIII took the Oath of Allegiance. The King was driven in an open car – the same he used at his wedding in 2001 – from the Palace to the Storting. Crown Princess Ingrid Alexandra, Prince Sverre Magnus and Queen Sonja came before him in a separate car. Queen Mette-Marit had to cancel her presence because of complications following her lung transplant this spring and which had to be monitored.

The President of the Storting, Masud Gharahkhani, read the official announcement of the death of King Harald V, before the king took the Oath of Allegiance in accordance with the Constitution article 9 before the Storting and gave a short address. The President of the Storting then held a speech in remembrance of King Harald V and gave an address to King Haakon VIII. The ceremony was closed with the Royal Anthem. 

President of the Storting,

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.

President of the Storting,

At the first meeting between the elected representatives of the people and me as King of Norway, I would like to express the hope that the good relationship which have been between the Storting and my father, King Harald, my grandfather, King Olav, and my great-grandfather, King Haakon, can be maintained and then developed in line with the tasks the country will face in the future.

The Queen and I wish to affirm that we place ourselves at the service of our country and people. In keeping with this tradition, I, too, as King of Norway, have adopted the motto ‘All for Norway’.

The President of the Storting's speech can be read (in Norwegian) here. See also NRK's article and broadcast.

Prior to the ceremony in the Storting, Crown Princess Ingrid Alexandra took the Oath of Allegiance in writing. The signed document was then given to the President of the Storting in connection with the ceremony. The Crown Princess took the oath in accordance with the Constitution article 44 in order to be able to serve as Regent when her father the king is abroad or on sick leave.

In the next Council of State the king will inform his government that the oath has been signed by the Crown Princess. Her oath will then be notified to the first Storting in session (30 September) and be entered in the record of its proceedings. See articles at the official websites of the Royal House and of the Storting.