Norway’s New Queen Mette-Marit Pulls Out of Husband King Haakon’s Historic Swearing-In at Last Minute

The new King Haakon of Norway took an Oath of Allegiance to the Constitution before the Storting, four days after the death of his father, King Harald, but his wife, the new Queen, Mette-Marit, was not in attendance.

Lise Åserud / NTB / AFP via Getty

NEED TO KNOW

King Haakon of Norway took his oath as monarch on Tuesday, Sept. 1

The oath was taken four days after the death of his father, King Harald

The new King was accompanied by his children, Crown Princess Ingrid Alexandra and Prince Sverre Magnus, but his wife, Queen Mette-Marit, was absent due to health complications

King Haakon of Norway has taken his oath as monarch, but one important person was missing from the ceremony.

On Tuesday, Sept. 1 — four days after the death of his father, King Harald — the new monarch took an Oath of Allegiance to the constitution before the Storting, the supreme legislature and parliament of Norway. The oath has been in the country’s constitution since 1814.

King Haakon, 53, who automatically became King following his father’s death, stated, “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.”

NTB/AFP via Getty Images

The new King was accompanied at his ceremony by his eldest child and heir, Crown Princess Ingrid Alexandra, 22, as well as his son, Prince Sverre Magnus, 20, and his mother, Queen Sonja, 89,

However, his wife, Queen Mette-Marit, was absent for the important moment. The news that the new Queen would not be attending the ceremony was announced just a few hours before it was about to begin, with a pulmonologist from the National Hospital revealing that her absence was due to health complications related to the lung transplant she underwent in June.

The pulmonologist said in a statement, “It is not uncommon for complications to occur after a lung transplant. The Queen has had complications on some occasions since the operation, including today. As a result, the Queen must be observed throughout the day. The Queen will therefore unfortunately not be able to attend the swearing-in ceremony in the Storting today.”

Queen Mette-Marit was diagnosed with chronic pulmonary fibrosis in 2018, an incurable lung condition which led to her wearing a nasal cannula, or oxygen breathing tube, for some public appearances before her transplant.

Mette-Marit has also faced intense scrutiny in recent months over her past friendship with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. Documents released by the U.S. Justice Department revealed extensive email exchanges between the pair from 2011 to 2014 — after Epstein’s 2008 conviction — as well as a 2013 stay by Mette-Marit at his Palm Beach home. The royal later apologized, saying she had shown “poor judgment” and regretted ever having contact with Epstein, and subsequently said she had been “manipulated and deceived” by him.

Norway does not have a coronation for the monarch, as the ceremonies were abolished by parliament in 1908.

However, King Haakon may have a consecration ceremony like his father and grandfather, which provides a religious blessing. King Harald’s consecration ceremony took place a few months after his father’s death at the Nidaros Cathedral in Trondheim. Following the service, there was a procession through the streets of Trondheim and a reception.

A state funeral for King Harald will be held on Wednesday, Sept. 9. However, many members of Norway’s royal family gathered at Asker Church on Sunday, Aug. 30, for a memorial service honoring the late monarch.

Queen Sonja, King Harald’s wife, attended the service just one day after what would have been the couple’s 58th wedding anniversary. King Haakon, Crown Princess Ingrid Alexandra and Prince Sverre Magnus were also in attendance; however, Queen Mette-Marit was once again absent from the event.

Related Stories

King Harald died on the morning of Friday, Aug. 28, at age 89, after several years of health issues. He was hospitalized on Aug. 17, and less than a week later, the palace released an update saying that King Harald’s condition had “worsened.”

Despite his declining health in recent years, King Harald made it clear that he had no plans to abdicate the throne, referring to the oath he swore before the Storting in 1991 when he took the throne.

Follow your favorite athletes on and off the field with PEOPLE’s free sports newsletter — sign up now!

When asked about abdicating during a royal outing with Haakon in January 2024, the King said, “I stand by what I have said all along. I have taken an oath to the Storting, and it lasts for life,” he said.

Royals

European Royal Families