In brief
Britain’s Prince of Wales is set to attend the funeral of Norway’s King Harald V in Oslo, marking one of the few occasions a monarch attends another sovereign’s funeral in a personal capacity. Princess Anne will also be present, reflecting close ties to Norway’s new King Haakon VIII. The funeral will feature large public crowds, a procession, and a service at Oslo Cathedral, followed by a private burial at Akershus Fortress. Kontingent of European royals will attend, underscored by King Charles’ support for Harald’s legacy. Meanwhile, King Haakon’s new role faces challenges amid family controversies.
Britain’s Prince of Wales has been announced to travel to Oslo on 9 September for the funeral of the late King Harald V, aged 89, after a life of modernising the Norwegian monarchy for 35 years. The event marks a rare instance of a monarch attending another sovereign’s funeral in a personal capacity.
Joining William in a private capacity will be Princess Anne, the mother of the new Norwegian monarch, King Haakon VIII, who was appointed to the throne after Harald’s passing. He has previously publicly expressed gratitude for his father’s guidance, echoing the sentiment expressed by King Charles, who praised Harald as a “people’s king” who “guided Norway through times of great change”.
The funeral will begin with a procession through Oslo, followed by a service at Oslo Cathedral. Following the ceremony, the graveside will take place in the royal mausoleum at Akershus Fortress. Thousands queued in the Royal Palace’s chapel to pay respects to Harald during his lying-in-state period.
The ceremony also sees a procession of European royals, including the widowed Queen Sonja and members of the Norwegian royal family. King Haakon’s acceptance of the throne comes amid investigations into scandal surrounding his wife and estate, adding a layer of public scrutiny to the event.
While Prince William is in Norway for the funeral, King Charles has returned to Scotland after meeting President Emmanuel Macron during a visit to the Bayeux Tapestry exhibition in London. The king has also scheduled a meeting with Prime Minister Andy Burnham at Balmoral this weekend as part of the annual tradition of the monarch hosting the prime minister.
This event not only underscores the deep ties between the British and Norwegian monarchies but also highlights the role of royal figures in bridging cross-cultural relations amid contemporary challenges.
