New king takes oath in Norway

King Haakon VIII of Norway took an oath before parliament on Tuesday 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.

Many have praised Harald's warmth and sense of inclusiveness, while Haakon described him as a wonderful father in his first address ​to the nation as sovereign.

The monarchy remains broadly popular: 72% of Norwegians support it, while 20% favour ⁠a republic or another form of government, according to a Norstat poll for broadcaster NRK published on Tuesday, the first poll on ​the issue taken since Harald's death.

The previous Norstat poll, conducted in May, showed support for the monarchy at 64%.

Haakon's wife, Queen Mette-Marit, 53, who is recovering from a lung transplant in June, was due to be at Haakon's side, like Queen Sonja was ​in 1991 when Harald took ​the oath.

But on Tuesday she ⁠cancelled due to complications following her transplant, her doctor said in a statement from the royal palace.

"It is not unusual with complications after a lung transplant. The queen has had complications on some occasions ​with the operation, including today," said Are Holm, a pulmonologist with Oslo University Hospital.

"As a result ​she must be ⁠put under observation throughout the day today."

In addition to Ingrid Alexandra, 22, Prince Sverre Magnus, 20, and their grandmother, Sonja, 89, also attended.

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