In brief
The late King Harald V of Norway died in August after 35 years on the throne. His funeral, held at Oslo Cathedral, was followed by a private burial in the Palace Chapel crypt at Akershus Fortress. Tens of thousands gathered to pay their respects while flags flew at half‑mast. New King Haakon VIII appeared on the Royal Palace balcony to wave to mourners. European dignitaries, including the Prince of Wales, attended the ceremony.
The Royal House of Norway has concluded a week of mourning for King Harald V, the nation’s long‑serving monarch who died last month at the age of 86.
The state funeral took place on Sunday at Oslo Cathedral, a gathering that brought together members of the European royal families, dignitaries from overseas and Norway’s own king‑in‑waiting, Haakon VIII. After services, the late king was laid to rest in the crypt of the Palace Chapel at Akershus Fortress.
Flags across the country were lowered to half‑mast and hundreds of thousands lined streets in Oslo and other streets to pay their respects. The funeral procession ran past the Royal Palace balcony, from where Haakon VIII waved to the crowds that gathered outside.
King Harald V had reigned for 35 years, having ascended the throne in 1991. His legacy includes modernising the Norwegian monarchy and symbolising national unity.
