King Olav's Consecration: 1957

                                King Olav is consecrated in Nidaros Cathedral, Photo: NTB

" King Olav was consecrated at Nidaros Cathedral on 22 June 1958. A new consecration ceremony had been devised in accordance with the King’s wishes. It was exactly 52 years since the coronation of King Haakon VII and Queen Maud.

The Article relating to coronation in the Constitution of 1814 established that the King of Norway was to be crowned in Nidaros Cathedral. Over time, views on coronation changed, and the ritual came to be seen as undemocratic. In 1908, the Storting repealed the Article by a large majority.

As a consequence, when King Haakon died in 1957, there was no ceremony in place for the inauguration of the new King, except for the swearing of the oath of allegiance in the Storting.

King Olav V had a deep knowledge of Norwegian history and was keen to maintain traditions. He expressed a personal desire to be consecrated in Nidaros Cathedral to receive God's blessing upon his royal office.

In his decision to be consecrated, King Olav V laid the foundation for the continuation of a tradition dating back to 1163. He played an active role in shaping the ceremony.

The Government of Prime Minister Einar Gerhardsen showed little enthusiasm for the religious ceremony and attempted to downplay the occasion. King Olav persisted in pursuing his plans, however. The King was motivated by his deep religious commitment and belief that he had been called to his royal office. He sought the church's blessing on the performance of his royal duties and insisted on holding a national ceremony.

The Government had decided that only three persons from the Storting’s presidium, three from the Government and the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court should attend the church ceremony as representatives of the central authorities. Otherwise, it was to be more of a local event in Trondheim.

However, Bishop Arne Fjellbu sent a letter to the Storting informing the representatives that seating would be reserved for all those who wished to attend. Within a short time, most representatives had accepted the invitation, and the consecration ceremony became a major national event broadcast live on the radio.

The ceremony was performed jointly by Bishop Arne Fjellbu of Nidaros and Bishop Johannes Smemo of Oslo.

King Olav seated himself on the coronation throne, which dates back to 1818. Following the sermon, the King knelt before the high altar, and Bishop Fjellbu recited the consecration prayer in which he asked for God’s blessing on the King and his royal office.

King Olav always recalled the consecration as the highlight of his life - the occasion when he entered into a solemn covenant that could be broken only by his death.

Bishop Arne Fjellbu. Photo: Aktuell / NTB

On 16 June 1958, King Olav travelled by motorcade to Trondheim to be blessed in Nidaros Cathedral. The journey north took him through the inland regions. The day after the ceremony, the Coronation Tour continued aboard the Royal Yacht Norge, with numerous visits along the coast."

Photo: Aktuell / NTB