Monarchy – Lacks freedom

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This is not some criticism of the royal family, who are doing an excellent job. I also do not want to create a debate about the form of governance, even if the Storting recently voted to abolish the monarchy and 35 representatives voted in favour. My agenda is that it is not only a matter of power being inherited, but also of the individual’s freedom.

An heir to the throne cannot do any of this: be a humanist, convert or not want to swear to God Almighty in the vulnerable youth. Entering politics, participating in a demonstration or writing chronicles as I do now. Having children in cohabitation or choosing a spouse without the King’s approval. Having a completely normal profession. Or not wanting one’s first-born child to have to make the same choice.

Of course it is possible to abdicate and renounce the throne. The royals can also push for changes. King Harald was finally allowed to marry Queen Sonja after they had been secret girlfriends for 9 years. Many would also say that we have come further now. But if the princess has a different faith, will she actually confess it? And will we then change the Constitution or will she have to choose between her own faith or the throne? Is there a choice someone will have to make?

It is a basic human right to have a free life. If someone wants a life in the public eye, they must in any case be allowed to choose it themselves – and the royal family cannot. Every lover, breakup, death and funeral becomes a public matter. They can’t go to bars or explore new places without security guards. They probably cannot test their own sexuality without it being of public interest. Not even sickness absence and diagnoses are a private matter.

Freedom of religion: While Section 4 states that “The King shall always recognize the Evangelical Lutheran religion”, Section 16 states that “all citizens have the freedom to exercise their religion”. That this is authorized in the same chapter is, for me, directly paradoxical.

Faith is something which comes from within, and it is something very fundamental in us. We philosophize about faith, doubt and the meaning of life every single week at home. It is a necessary and natural part of human development, and especially in those who are in a transitional phase between youth and adulthood.

An heir to the throne who comes of age must, however, swear the following oath to the Storting: “I promise and swear to rule the Kingdom of Norway in accordance with its constitution and laws, so truly help me God the Almighty and All-Knowing” Ingrid Alexandra must of course only do this when she becomes crown princess.

Nor is it mere formalities, it is much more intrusive than that. An heir to the throne cannot confirm herself humanitarianly, be agnostic or profess Judaism, if she falls in love with a Jewish boy and both agree that it is the right thing to do.

Freedom of speech and the right to vote: The royals cannot of course vote and also have very limited freedom of speech. They cannot participate in public debates and they probably have no opportunity to reply to me on this post. It is probably also doubtful whether they can even “like” or “laugh” at something in social media without it going through some kind of censorship, because it can be perceived as a position on something they cannot publicly have any opinion on.

Freedom of association: §101 of the Constitution states: “Everyone has the right to form, join and withdraw from associations, including trade unions and political parties. Everyone can meet in peaceful assemblies and demonstrations.” But this clearly does not apply to everyone either.

Marriage: Heirs to the throne must be born in legal marriage. They are thus forced into this institution, as it is after all, if they do not want to break the order of succession. Simultaneous the proportion of cohabitants continues to increase, and there is probably a reason for that. As for same-sex marriage, I haven’t gotten into the legal stuff. But if the person of royal blood in the relationship is not the biological parent of the child, I wonder how the Constitution relates to that.

Princes and princesses nor can they marry without the king’s permission. What other people in Norway need such formal permission from their father or grandfather?

For me, it is incomprehensible that this debate is not taken publicly. I even dare to go so far as to say that Chapter B of the Constitution should be amended, at least on the points that do not affect the formal power. Why should we impose faith and marriage on anyone through our most important law? It does not belong in a modern democratic society built on human equality and freedom of choice.

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