King Haakon’s constitutional oath: what happened and how Britain differs

King Haakon VIII swore allegiance to Norway’s Constitution before the Storting on September 1, 2026, following the death of his father, King Harald V.

The ceremony placed the new monarch’s constitutional commitments before Parliament. It also involved a separate step for his daughter, Crown Princess Ingrid Alexandra, whose written oath received less attention than her father’s appearance in the chamber.

What the palace confirmed

According to the Norwegian Royal Court’s account, Haakon pledged to govern in accordance with Norway’s Constitution and laws. In a statement to the Storting, he said he hoped to sustain and develop the relationship between Parliament and the monarchy.

He also adopted the motto “We give our all for Norway”.

Ingrid Alexandra signed her oath at the Royal Palace. The Lord Chamberlain delivered it to the President of the Storting that afternoon. The palace explained that Article 44 requires this oath before the heir can serve as regent when the King is outside the country.

How Britain’s process differs

Britain also has an oath early in a new reign. The Royal Household’s explanation of the Accession Council says the sovereign makes a declaration and swears to preserve the Church of Scotland during the second part of the meeting.

Accession itself happens immediately when the previous monarch dies. The proclamation announces that succession; a later coronation does not mark the beginning of the reign.

Charles became King on September 8, 2022. His coronation took place on May 6, 2023, roughly eight months later. It is therefore misleading to describe Britain’s process as a proclamation followed by no royal oath until the coronation.

The Norwegian ceremony and Britain’s Accession Council are distinct constitutional events. Comparing Norway’s oath only with a British coronation leaves out an essential part of the British process.

Correction, September 17, 2026: An earlier version incorrectly said Charles’s coronation took place more than a year after his accession and implied that his only oath came at the coronation. The article has been corrected and revised using official accounts.