The Coronation of King Haakon VII and Queen Maud
On 22 June 1906, King Haakon and Queen Maud were crowned in Nidaros Cathedral in Trondheim. It was the last coronation to take place in Norway.
Under the Constitution of 1814, the kings of Norway were to be crowned and anointed in Nidaros Cathedral. However, by the time of the coronation of King Haakon and Queen Maud, the constitutional provision concerning the coronation had become highly controversial. As a result, the ceremony in 1906 was more restrained than the coronations held during the union with Sweden. Among other things, the traditional coronation procession from Stiftsgården to Nidaros Cathedral was omitted.
The ceremony
Although Nidaros Cathedral was under restoration at the time, the entire nave was opened for use to accommodate the largest possible audience. Over 2,300 people were in attendance at the cathedral.
The ceremony was performed jointly by Bishop Vilhelm Andreas Wexelsen of Nidaros and Bishop Anton Christian Bang of Oslo. The King and Queen took their seats on the coronation thrones from 1818, which were positioned side by side under a canopy below the central turret. The service began, and following the first section of Johan Halvorsen’s coronation cantata, the coronation was performed.
King Haakon stepped forward and knelt before the high altar. Bishop Wexelsen anointed the King’s forehead and wrists. The King then seated himself on the coronation throne that was positioned in front of the high altar, and Prime Minister Christian Michelsen and Bishop Wexelsen together placed the crown on the King’s head.
Members of government then presented the King with the royal sceptre, the royal orb and the sword of state.
Bishop Wexelsen said a prayer for the King’s solemn duties and offered a blessing. The King then returned to the coronation throne under the canopy, wearing the coronation robe and bearing the royal regalia.
Queen Maud stepped forward. The Queen was anointed and crowned following the same ritual used for King Haakon. She then returned to the coronation throne bearing her robe and regalia.
President of the Storting Carl Berner concluded the ceremony by stating that the coronation was complete, urging the attendees to join him in declaring “God save the King”.
The Norwegian Regalia - Coronation 1906
The Norwegian Regalia
The coronation of King Haakon VII and Queen Maud was the last occasion on which the Norwegian regalia were used at a coronation. They still play a role in today’s consecration ceremonies, but only in that the crowns are displayed during the ceremony. The crowns are no longer placed on the heads of the monarchs.
When the monarch dies, the crown and the sword of state are placed on the coffin.
In everyday circumstances, the regalia can be seen in the Regalia Exhibition at the Archbishop’s Palace.
The coronation journey
The custom of making a long journey through large parts of the country in connection with a coronation or consecration dates back to the medieval kings, who were hailed at the various assemblies located throughout the realm.
The Royal Family left Trondheim on 10 July and reached Kristiania on 1 August, travelling by train as well as horse and carriage. The journey was completed the following year with a longer tour of northern Norway.
