Norway’s royals have confirmed they are heading back to work after a period of official mourning following the death of King Harald.
Harald V died on August 28 at the age of 89. His family immediately suspended all its public engagements.
Now, the royal court has confirmed that official duties are starting up again but the royal family now looks very different.
King Haakon will be back to work on October 9. His mother, Queen Sonja, will also recommence her public duties.
However, Queen Mette-Marit won’t be taking on any engagements. She had a lung transplant in June and will continue to recuperate at home. She won’t start public duties until at least the summer of next year.
Meanwhile, the new heir to the throne, Crown Princess Ingrid Alexandra, will soon be leaving Norway. She is set to recommence her studies in Sydney, Australia in February, having moved her university course briefly to Oslo when her mother, Queen Mette-Marit, went into hospital.
The second in line to the throne, 20 year old Prince Sverre Magnus, is studying in Lisbon.
It means that King Haakon will be handling most of the royal agenda by himself or with the help of his 89 year old mother.
Another working royal, Princess Astrid, died in September. The 94 year old sister of King Harald died two days after his funeral.
The changes mean that the royal calendar will look very different. The royals have already announced that there will be no State Visits for the forseeable future.
King Haakon will have to oversee Councils of State and government meetings as well as carry out official public duties. It’s unlikely that any form of travel will feature in his immediate plans.
He became King of Norway on August 28 on the death of King Harald. He has already sworn an oath in Norway’s parliament and will, in the future, be blessed during an official enthronement service.
