King Haakon VIII of Norway formally took the oath to uphold the constitution at the Storting, Norway’s parliament, on Tuesday, marking the official start of his reign following the death of his father, King Harald V, on Friday. The ceremony was notably marked by the absence of Queen Mette-Marit, who is currently recovering from complications related to a lung transplant.

Mette-Marit, 53, who underwent a double lung transplant in June due to worsening pulmonary fibrosis, was placed under medical observation and unable to attend the swearing-in. Her condition remains serious, with ongoing treatment overseen by Professor Are Martin Holm, a consultant pulmonologist at Oslo University Hospital. Holm explained that post-transplant complications such as organ rejection and infections are relatively common but generally treatable, though the queen has experienced multiple episodes requiring continuous monitoring.

In place of the queen consort, Crown Princess Ingrid Alexandra, 22, stood alongside King Haakon during the oath-taking. The crown princess also took a written oath at the Royal Palace. Under Norway’s amended succession laws—revised in 1990 to prioritize the eldest child regardless of gender—Ingrid Alexandra is next in line to the throne and would become the country's first reigning female monarch in over six centuries if she ascends.

The new king now has the authority to delegate royal duties to the crown princess. Masud Gharahkhani, Speaker of the Storting, acknowledged the queen’s absence, noting her wish to attend the ceremony despite her ongoing rehabilitation and the family’s recent period of mourning. Gharahkhani emphasized the emotional toll from the funeral proceedings held for King Harald over the weekend.

King Haakon’s oath-taking ceremony represents a significant constitutional moment for Norway, underscoring both the continuity of the monarchy and the evolving role of his heir amid the queen’s health challenges.