King Harald of Norway, 86 years old and in fragile health, again ruled out abdication on Tuesday in his first public intervention since the surprise departure to Denmark of his distant cousin, Queen Margrethe II.
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“I stick to what I have always said, namely that I took an oath to the Storting (the Norwegian unicameral parliament, editor's note) and that it is valid for life,” said Harald, Dean of Sovereigns in Europe, quoted by Norwegian media.
He made the remark during a visit to a Norwegian press center in Oslo, accompanied by his son, Crown Prince Haakon.
The King has been on the throne for 33 years and will blow out his 87th candle on February 21st.
His multiple health problems and advanced age have led some commentators to speculate about the possibility that Harald will follow the example of Queen Margrethe II of Denmark, who, contrary to her own assurances, has just abdicated at the age of 83 in favor of his eldest son Frederik.
King Harald, who was on crutches, had to undergo heart surgery in recent years and suffered from various respiratory diseases and infections.