Norway's new King Haakon VIII swore an oath before parliament on Tuesday to govern in accordance with the country's constitution and laws.

The 53-year-old monarch, who succeeded his father upon King Harald V's death on August 28, stood alongside his daughter, Crown Princess Ingrid Alexandra, during the 17-minute ceremony at the Storting in Oslo. Queen Mette-Marit did not attend as she recovers from a lung transplant performed in June.

Haakon declared: "I promise and swear that I will govern the Kingdom of Norway in accordance with its constitution and laws, so help me God, the almighty and omniscient."

Harald V, who reigned for 35 years, died at age 89 in a hospital after treatment for a rare blood condition. Haakon automatically became king the moment his father passed away under Norway's constitutional monarchy rules. He took the regnal name Haakon VIII and adopted the family motto "All for Norway."

Tens of thousands of Norwegians have visited the royal palace in Oslo to lay flowers, candles, drawings, and flags in tribute to the late king. National mourning continues ahead of Harald's funeral, scheduled for September 9 in Oslo.

Norway abolished coronations in 1908, so the parliamentary oath serves as the formal step marking the start of a new reign. Haakon may later participate in a consecration service at Nidaros Cathedral in Trondheim, following tradition set by previous monarchs.

Crown Princess Ingrid Alexandra, 22, is now first in line to the throne under gender-neutral succession rules updated in 1990. Her younger brother, Prince Sverre Magnus, 20, follows her in the line of succession.

Public support for the monarchy has risen in recent polls, with 72 percent favoring the constitutional system despite earlier controversies involving the royal family.