King Haakon VIII Swears Oath Before Norwegian Parliament

Norway's Haakon VIII officially swore an oath before parliament in Oslo on Tuesday, marking a solemn transition of leadership for the nation. The constitutional formality took place inside the national legislative chamber, drawing the attention of the country as the government officially recognized the new monarch following the death of the previous sovereign.

Before proceeding with the official swearing-in ceremony, the Norwegian Parliament paused to honor the memory of the late King Harald V. Lawmakers and officials stood together within the parliamentary chamber to observe a minute of silence for the late monarch, who passed away on Friday.

Notable among the attendees was the absence of Queen Mette-Marit, who could not be present for the historical formalities. Palace officials confirmed that her absence is due to her ongoing recovery following a lung transplant procedure.

Meanwhile, national mourning continues as the public pays their final respects to the late royal. The coffin of the late King Harald V is currently lying in state at the Royal Palace, where it will remain accessible for public viewing until 8 September.

The events in Oslo mark a pivotal chapter for the Norwegian monarchy as the nation balances the sorrow of losing its long-reigning sovereign with the establishment of King Haakon VIII's reign. Further announcements regarding the official state funeral arrangements and subsequent royal duties are expected to be released by the Royal Palace in the coming days.