OSLO – Norway’s new King Haakon VIII was due to swear an oath of allegiance to the country’s constitution on Tuesday, though his wife was unable to attend because of complications from a recent lung transplant.
The palace announced Tuesday that Haakon’s wife Queen Mette-Marit, 53, would not be able to attend as she is still recovering from a lung transplant she had in June.
Are Holm, head of the Pulmonary Department at Oslo University Hospital, said in a statement from the palace that complications after a transplant are not “uncommon”.
“The queen has had complications on several occasions since the operation, including today,” Holm said.
“As a result, the queen must be kept under observation throughout the day. The queen will therefore unfortunately not be able to attend the swearing-in ceremony,” he continued.
The late king enjoyed massive support despite the slew of scandals that dogged his family in the final stretch of his 35-year reign.
On Tuesday, a poll published by public broadcaster NRK showed that support for the monarchy has clearly increased following Harald’s death.
Nearly three out of four Norwegians (72 percent) said they supported the monarchy, a rise of eight points compared with a previous survey in May, according to the poll carried out over the weekend.
The past year has been a turbulent one for the Norwegian royals.
As well as her health issues, Mette-Marit has also faced scrutiny for her ties to late US sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
And her son from a previous relationship, Marius Borg Hoiby, is currently under house arrest pending his appeal against a four-year sentence for two rape convictions.
On Monday, he was among those who moved the late king’s casket to the chapel of Oslo’s royal palace, and he has also been granted permission to attend Harald’s funeral on September 9. – AFP
