King Harald V of Norway Reiterates His Oath For Life Amidst Abdication Rumors

 

His Majesty King Harald V of Norway will turn 87 on February 7, 2024, and will also celebrate his 33rd anniversary on the Norwegian throne. 

For years now, the King has health issues and has been walking with the aid of two walking sticks whenever he is in public, indicating he has issues with mobility.

King Harald V delivers his New Year's address. Photo credit: Norwegian Royal House

King Harald V visits an air station of the Armed Forces. Photo credit: Norwegian Royal House

Due to the recent abdication of his cousin, Queen Margrethe II of Denmark, whose reason was due to health, and his mounting health issues, speculations on whether he will also abdicate continue to rise. 

However, the King dismissed the rumors, reiterating his oath to the constitution that he would serve Norway as monarch for life.

King Harald V and his son, Crown Prince Haakon during a visit to Faktisk.no

He made this statement during his recent visit to Faktisk.no at the Norwegian Press Association in Oslo, accompanied by his son and heir, Crown Prince Haakon.

"I stick by what I've always said that I swore an oath to the Storting (Norwegian parliament), and it is for life," King Harald V said as quoted by the Norwegian media.

King Harald V, a great-grandson of King Edward VII of Britain, ascended to the Norwegian throne in January 1991, following the death of his father, King Olaf V. He is the third monarch from the House of Glucksburg ruling Norway.

He is now the oldest monarch in Europe at 86, and the continent's third longest-reigning monarch after King Carl XVI Gustaf of Sweden and Prince Hans-Adam II of Liechtenstein.

Despite his mobility issues, King Harald V continued to perform his public duty actively, and even attended the state funeral of his second cousin, Queen Elizabeth II, in London in September 2022.

Wishing His Majesty to be always in good shape to fulfill his duty to the Norwegian constitution. Long Live the King!