King Harald of Norway has broken his silence after questions on whether he will abdicate the Norwegian throne. This comes after Queen Margrethe of Denmark’s shock revelation that she would abdicate the Danish throne.
On January 14, the role of monarch was handed over to her son, the now-King Frederik and his wife, Queen Mary. Speaking to press at Fektisk.co on Tuesday, the 86-year-old monarch said that there is no chance he will step down.
He told the non-profit organisation in Oslo: “No, I stand by what I said all along.”
He added: “I have taken an oath to the Storting (the Norwegian parliament) and it lasts for life.”
The Norwegian King succeeded the throne in January 1991, following the death of his father. Like his father, and grandfather, he spoke the motto: “We give our all for Norway.”
Within four days of this, he gave his oath to uphold the constitution in the Storting.
The monarch has experienced health issues in the last few years, including undergoing a leg operation in 2022 and contracting coronavirus twice during the pandemic.
His son – and heir – has also experienced his own health struggles in recent years.
Crown Prince Haakon is the one who will succeed the throne when the time comes.
During her own abdication speech, Queen Margrethe said: “I have decided that now is the right time. On 14th January, 2024 – 52 years after I succeeded my beloved father – I will step down as Queen of Denmark. I will hand over the throne to my son Crown Prince Frederik.
Speaking on December 31, she also said: “In two weeks time I have been Queen of Denmark for 52 years. Such an amount will leave its mark on anybody – also on me!
“The time takes its toll, and the number of “ailments” increases. One cannot undertake as much as one managed in the past.
In February this year I underwent extensive back surgery. Everything went well, thanks to the competent health personnel, who took care of me. Inevitably, the operation gave cause to thoughts about the future – whether now would be an appropriate time to pass on the responsibility to the next generation.”
