Trondheim has been the city of Kings since Harald I, popularly know as Harald Hårfarge (Harald Fairhair), unified Norway into one realm at the end of the 9th century.
In ancient times the Kings of Norway were hailed at Øretinget in Trondheim, the place for the assembly of all free men by the mouth of the river Nidelva. Harald Fairhair (865 - 933) was hailed as the king here. Under Harald Hardråde (Harald the Hard-ruler - 1015-1066), the unification of the country was completed and Trondheim's status as the capital was established. Being hailed as the king at the Øreting was recognized throughout the realm. From 1204, new Kings were obliged to swear their oath of allegiance on the shrine of St. Olav, and the Øreting was moved to the courtyard of the cathedral.
Several of the medieval kings were buried in St. Olav's city. Even if they died in other regions of the country, or abroad, their remains were brought to Trondheim for burial.
Crowning and blessing in Nidaros Cathedral
We know of three kings who were crowned in Nidaros Cathedral before 1818: Karl Knutsson Bonde in 1449, Christian I in 1489 and Hans in 1583. But it is not until 1818 that we find the next crowning, that of Carl Johan XIV. The much-loved Carl XV and his Queen Louise were crowned here in 1860, and there were great festivities in the city: "There was a great deal of pomp and ceremony in Trondheim on that day. I never saw such a sight, and it is my belief that never before has the like of such a feast been seen in Trondheim," poet Aasmund Olavsson Vinje wrote.
The next king to be crowned here was Oscar II and his Queen Sophie, on 18 July 1873. The royal family stayed in the city for ten days. There were military parades and great festivities, and the King gave a dinner party for 800 guests.
Prince Carl of Denmark becomes King Haakon VII of Norway
In 1905 the union with Sweden was dissolved and Norway could have its own King. Prince Carl of Denmark, who was married to Princess Maud, was offered the crown.
Before he accepted, the Prince set the condition that he had to have popular support. In the autumn of 1905 a referendum was held to decide what type of state Norwegians wanted to have. A total of 259 563 votes were cast for the monarchy, while 69 264 voted for a republic. This referendum gave Prince Carl a clear mandate from his people. Norway now had the only "popularly elected" King in the world.
The new Royal couple came to Norway on 27 November 1905. The Prince, who had now adopted the name Haakon VII, chose the motto "Alt for Norge" (Everything for Norway). On 22 June 1906, King Haakon and Queen Maud were crowned in Nidaros Cathedral. After the crowning a public festival was held at Ilevollen, where the King himself was also present.
The Norwegian Parliament rescinded the Constitutional article requiring a coronation in 1908, and Haakon VII was thus the last Norwegian King to be crowned in Nidaros Cathedral.
