Chapel, funeral and oath. Key days for Norway

Haakon VIII became king automatically at the moment of his father King Harald V’s death. Before he begins carrying out the duties of head of state, however, the constitution requires him to take an oral oath before the Storting. This rule has been in force since 1814. The ceremony is scheduled for Tuesday at 1:00 p.m.<br /><br />The oath is being taken at a special time for the Norwegian monarchy, as the latest Norstat survey conducted for NRK indicates a clear increase in support for it. Currently, 72 percent of respondents support retaining the monarchy. In May, the figure was 64 percent. In February, support stood at 60 percent.

Haakon VIII will pledge to govern Norway in accordance with the constitution and the law. The oath underscores the constitutional nature of the Norwegian monarchy, in which the monarch’s powers are limited by the provisions of the basic law. The King remains the head of state. However, the Storting has the power to amend the constitution.<br /><br />The monarch’s family will also take part in the ceremony. The King will be accompanied by Queen Mette-Marit, just as Queen Sonja attended Harald V’s oath-taking in 1991. Crown Princess Ingrid Alexandra will also be present. As heir to the throne, she will later that day take a written oath to the constitution at the Royal Palace.

The survey was conducted during the weekend immediately following the death of King Harald V. Seventy-two percent of respondents supported the monarchy, while 20 percent would prefer a republic or another form of government. A further 8 percent had no opinion. The increase of 8 percentage points compared with the May survey was described as statistically significant.<br /><br />Ratings of members of the royal family have also changed. Haakon VIII received an average score of 8.8 on a ten-point scale, compared with 8.1 in May when he was heir to the throne. Queen Sonja received the highest rating, 8.9. Ingrid Alexandra scored 8.1, Mette-Marit 5.2, Prince Sverre Magnus 7.7, and Princess Märtha Louise 3.5.

From Tuesday, members of the public will be able to pay their respects to King Harald V at the Palace Chapel. On 1 September, it will be possible to pass by the coffin from 2:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m., and from 2 September until the day before the funeral, the chapel will be open daily from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Those arriving to pay their respects will be directed via Bredveien in the Palace Park and will undergo security checks. Photography, filming, and leaving flowers or messages will not be permitted inside the chapel.<br /><br />Harald V’s funeral service will take place on Wednesday, 9 September, at 1:00 p.m. in Oslo Cathedral. In accordance with Norwegian royal tradition, the funeral procession will proceed from the Royal Palace to the cathedral. The ceremonies following the deaths of King Haakon in 1957 and King Olav in 1991 followed a similar format. After the service, a smaller procession will travel to Akershus Fortress, where the Royal Mausoleum is located.