Queen Mette-Marit will not attend the oath ceremony in the Storting
Photo: NTB
The Palace announced on Tuesday morning that Queen Mette-Marit will not take part when King Haakon VIII takes the oath before the Storting at 1pm. Her lung specialist cites complications following her transplant. Crown Princess Ingrid Alexandra will accompany the King instead.
Queen Mette-Marit will not take part when King Haakon VIII takes the oath before the Storting at 1pm on Tuesday. The Palace announced this in a press release on Tuesday morning, citing complications following the lung transplant she underwent in June.
Queen Mette-Marit and Queen Sonja during Monday’s procession at the Palace. On Tuesday, Queen Mette-Marit will not attend at the Storting. Photo: NTB
• The doctor's explanation
Lung specialist Are Holm at Rikshospitalet states in the press release:
"It is not unusual to have complications after a lung transplant. The Queen has had complications on some occasions since the operation, including today. As a result, the Queen must be kept under observation through the day. The Queen will therefore unfortunately not be able to take part in the oath ceremony in the Storting today."
The Queen underwent a lung transplant in June and was discharged from Rikshospitalet in July. She was also absent from the memorial service in Asker Church on Sunday, but did take part on Monday in the procession when King Harald's coffin was carried from the Red Drawing Room to the Palace Chapel.
As late as Monday, according to VG, it had been announced that the Queen would attend at the Storting.
• The Crown Princess accompanies the King
Crown Princess Ingrid Alexandra will accompany the King instead. Queen Sonja and Prince Sverre Magnus will follow the ceremony from the chamber of the Storting.
King Haakon VIII takes the oath before the Storting at 1pm on Tuesday. Photo: The Royal Court / Ola Vatn / NTB
• The wording of the oath
The Constitution requires a new king to take an oath before the Storting. The wording is set out there:
"I promise and swear to govern the Kingdom of Norway in accordance with its Constitution and laws, so help me God, the almighty and all-knowing."
Crown Princess Ingrid Alexandra will submit her oath to the Storting in writing.
Later in the day, at 2pm, the Palace Chapel opens to the public wishing to file past King Harald's coffin. The funeral will be held in Oslo Cathedral at 1pm on Wednesday 9 September.
RoyMob will continue to follow the mourning ceremonies in the days ahead.