A referendum on retaining the monarchy or becoming a republic was held in Norway on 12 and 13 November 1905.[1] Voters were asked whether they approved of the Storting's decision to authorise the government to make the offer of the throne of the newly self-ruling country. The Storting had wanted to offer the throne to Prince Carl of Denmark, but the prince insisted that the Norwegian people have a chance to decide whether they wanted to retain a monarchy.[2]
The proposal was approved by 79% of voters.[3] Following the referendum, the Storting formally offered the throne to Carl on 18 November; Carl accepted, assuming the throne as King Haakon VII. The new royal family arrived in Norway on 25 November. King Haakon and Queen Maud were crowned in a ceremony in Nidaros Cathedral in Trondheim on 22 June 1906.[4] Haakon became Norway's first separate monarch in 518 years.
The Storting thus turned to the Danish Prince Carl. In addition to the positive personal qualities, it was pointed out that he was Scandinavian and would understand the Norwegian language and culture.
He was the second son of Crown Prince Frederik and Louise of Sweden, the only surviving child of Oscar's older brother Charles XV and, before the birth of Oscar's sons, a serious contender as heir to the dissolved union. Frederick's brother had also been similarly invited to become a monarch of another nation as George I of Greece.
In Norway, it was debated whether the country should remain a monarchy or become a republic. Prince Carl demanded that the issue should be submitted to a referendum, as he wanted an assurance that a majority of the population wanted Norway to remain as a monarchy.[2]
Enig i Stortingets bemyndigelse til regjeringen om at opfordre prins Carl af Danmark til at lade sig vælge til Norges konge? (Do you agree with the Storting's authorization to the government to invite Prince Carl of Denmark to become King of Norway?)
A majority voted in favour of monarchy, and on 18 November the Parliament formally elected Prince Carl as king. The Speaker of Parliament sent him a telegram offering him the throne of Norway.[2]