Norway held a state funeral for King Harald V on Wednesday, concluding a 13-day period of national mourning with a procession through Oslo attended by international dignitaries.
Key facts
- •King Harald V died at the age of 89 after a 35-year reign.
- •The funeral procession moved from the Royal Palace to Oslo's Lutheran Cathedral on Wednesday, September 9.
- •International attendees included Britain's Prince William, the presidents of Germany and Finland, and Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
- •The burial was held at the Akershus Fortress following a 13-day period of national mourning.
- •Queen Mette-Marit attended the funeral while recovering from a recent lung transplant.
King Harald V of Norway was laid to rest on Wednesday following a state funeral in Oslo. The ceremony, which followed 13 days of national mourning, drew thousands of spectators to the streets as the funeral cortege traveled from the Royal Palace to the city's Lutheran Cathedral. The late monarch, who was 89, reigned for 35 years and was widely recognized for his modernizing influence on the Norwegian monarchy.
Funeral Procession and Ceremony
The funeral procession featured members of the royal family, including the new King Haakon VIII, his sister Princess Märtha Louise, and his children, Crown Princess Ingrid Alexandra and Prince Sverre Magnus, who followed the coffin on foot. Queen Sonja and Queen Mette-Marit traveled to the cathedral by car. During the procession, cannons were fired from the Akershus Fortress, and a minute of silence was observed across the country to honor the late king. Following the service at the cathedral, the royal family appeared on the balcony of the Royal Palace to greet the crowds. The burial took place at the medieval Akershus Fortress, where ceremonial troops had assembled earlier in the day.
International Attendance and Public Tribute
Dignitaries from across the globe attended the funeral to pay their respects. Among those processing behind the coffin were Britain's Prince William, the kings of Denmark, the Netherlands, Sweden, and Spain, as well as the presidents of Germany and Finland. France was represented by its prime minister, Japan by its Crown Prince, and Ukraine by President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. The United States was represented by Allison Hooker, the Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs. Public participation remained high throughout the mourning period, with hundreds of thousands of Norwegians leaving flowers, candles, and flags outside the Royal Palace. On the day of the funeral, crowds lined the route to the cathedral, with some mourners wearing traditional regional costumes.
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This article was independently rewritten by ManyPress editorial AI from reporting originally published by Channel NewsAsia, BBC Europe.
