In brief
Tens of thousands streamed past the royal palace as King Harald V’s funeral procession moved from the Palace to Oslo Cathedral. Heads of state, including Prince William and Norway’s three Nordic kings, lowered the Norwegian flag from half‑mast to full to honour the late monarch. Amid the sorrow, the royal family, led by King Haakon VIII, greeted the crowd from the balcony, while a secretive briefing revealed hidden family challenges in recent months. A quick succession of dignitaries, historical ties, and a final military salute capped a ceremony that underscored Harald’s legacy as a modern, relatable king.
On Wednesday afternoon, a solemn procession marched from the royal palace to Oslo Cathedral to lay 89‑year‑old King Harald V to rest. Thousands of citizens lined the route as the ceremony unfolded, following a minute’s silence that echoed throughout the country.
The pallbearers included King Haakon VIII, his wife Queen Mette‑Marit, Crown Princess Ingrid Alexandra, Prince Sverre Magnus, and Queen Sonja. All were joined by the Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre, who delivered a eulogy speaking of Harald’s blend of dignity and approachability. In a moving moment, Queen Sonja placed a red rose upon the coffin.
Foreign dignitaries marked attendance: Prince William representing King Charles III, Sweden’s King Carl XVI Gustaf and Denmark’s King Frederik X, the Princess Royal, and people from Jordan, Monaco, Belgium, Spain and Japan. Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelensky and German President Frank‑Walter Steinmeier also stood beside the coffin, demonstrating the international respect for the late king.
After the cemetery service, the casket was carried to the Royal Chapel at Akershus Fortress for a private ceremony attended by royal family, foreign royalty and state officials. The ceremony culminated in the burial of the late king alongside his ancestors, most notably his father King Olav V.
The funeral marked the end of a 13‑day mourning period. A horn‑and‑flag tribute in Oslo’s city square, filled with visitors and the gilded royal balcony, served as a final thank‑you for the nation’s support. A display of discipline followed the closing of the cathedral service with four F‑35 jets streaking over in a missing‑man formation.
