Queen Mette-Marit unable to attend swearing-in ceremony, palace shares major update on her health

Queen Mette-Marit, experiencing complications following her lung transplant, is unable to attend this afternoon's swearing-in ceremony at the Storting.

The palace has shared major update on the Queen’s health as Norway's new king is set to swear oath before parliament after Harald's death today, Tuesday.

The statement issued by the palace reads, “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.”

Crown Princess Ingrid Alexandra will accompany the King.

Queen Sonja and Prince Sverre Magnus will attend the swearing-in from the Storting Hall.

King Haakon VIII of Norway will on Tuesday take an oath before parliament following the death of his father, pledging to uphold the Nordic country's constitution and laws in the latest in a series of ceremonies marking the passing of the crown.

Haakon's father King Harald died on Friday at the age of 89. Since then, tens of thousands of Norwegians have streamed to the royal palace to lay flowers, drawings, candles and flags.

According to Reuters, the ceremony in the 169-seat chamber, which will start at 1100 GMT, will underline the foundations of Norway as a constitutional monarchy.

Haakon automatically became king the moment his father passed away. There ⁠will be no coronation, as Norway abolished the practice in 1908.

After the ceremony, members of the public will be able to pay their respects before Harald's coffin, which is ⁠lying in state at the palace chapel until September 8. Large crowds are expected.