Princess Ingrid Alexandra made her first public appearance as first in line to the Norwegian throne on Friday, accompanying her father, King Haakon VIII, to a cabinet meeting at the Royal Palace in Oslo following the death of her grandfather, King Harald V.
The 21-year-old royal appeared alongside the newly proclaimed king in a sombre black suit as Norway began the formal process of transition following the monarch’s death. The Royal House of Norway has since updated its website to reflect Ingrid Alexandra’s new title as Crown Princess.
King Haakon, dressed in his military uniform, convened the cabinet meeting in accordance with constitutional protocol following the death of a monarch.
During the meeting, he formally informed the government that he was ready to assume the throne and confirmed that he would retain the name Haakon, becoming His Majesty King Haakon VIII.
According to Norwegian broadcaster NRK, the new king also confirmed that his motto would be “Everything for Norway”, the same motto used by his father, grandfather and great-grandfather.
Also Read: Norway’s King Harald dies at 89 after 35-year reign
Under the Norwegian Constitution, King Haakon is required to take a formal oath before the Storting, Norway’s parliament, in the coming days.
Crown Princess Ingrid Alexandra will also be required to sign a written oath, as her father did when he turned 18, allowing her to serve as regent when necessary.
Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre also addressed the nation following a government conference on Friday morning, expressing condolences to the royal family and the Norwegian people.
“On behalf of the government, I would like to express the sadness and compassion we all feel,” he said. “There is an entire nation in mourning, and there is also a people in gratitude today.”
Støre added: “The king is dead, long live the king. We have a new king in King Haakon, and he will be welcomed with Queen Mette-Marit in a way where the people have trust and support throughout these days and the time that lies ahead of us.”
Town&Country
