Norway Bids Final Farewell to King Harald V as Funeral Procession Moves Through Oslo
Norway honors the late King Harald V with a solemn funeral procession in Oslo. Royalty and world leaders gather to pay respects to the long-reigning monarch.
POLICY WIRE — Oslo, Norway — Norway gathered on Wednesday to bid a final farewell to King Harald V, as the beloved monarch’s casket began its journey toward a funeral service attended by international royalty and global leaders.
A 21-gun salute echoed across Oslo as the procession departed the royal palace for the cathedral. The late king’s son, the newly ascended King Haakon VIII, led the procession alongside senior royals, following the casket draped in the red Norwegian royal standard.
King Harald V, who passed away on Aug. 28 at the age of 89, served as Europe’s oldest monarch during his 35-year reign. While he was credited with modernizing the royal house, he famously chose not to abdicate, unlike several of his contemporaries.
His successor, King Haakon VIII, officially took the throne and swore an oath of allegiance to the Norwegian constitution before parliament last week. Thousands of mourners lined the streets, which were cleared of vehicles and scooters to accommodate the massive crowds.
Public broadcaster NRK noted that citizens across the nation were watching the proceedings via large screens set up in libraries, city halls, and cultural centers. Over the past week, more than 46,000 people visited the royal palace chapel to pay their respects, with some waiting in queues lasting up to seven hours.
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The guest list for the ceremony includes monarchs from Sweden, Denmark, Spain, the Netherlands, Belgium, and Jordan. Prince William of the United Kingdom and Crown Prince Akishino of Japan are also in attendance, alongside various European presidents and U.S. Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs Allison Hooker.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, who met with Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre on Tuesday to discuss the ongoing war, is also present. The funeral will feature a nationwide minute of silence, followed by eulogies from the prime minister and the parliament speaker.
While the government did not declare an official holiday, many schools and workplaces allowed staff and students to observe the proceedings. Authorities requested that noisy activities be suspended during the duration of the funeral.
Following the service, the casket will be transported to the palace chapel at Akershus Castle for a private interment in the royal crypt. The Norwegian monarchy, which dates back to King Harald Fairhair, was restored in 1905 following a national plebiscite.
The royal family maintains deep ties to other European dynasties, including the British and Spanish houses, as descendants of Queen Victoria. Although the monarchy’s current role is primarily symbolic, the family remains a central figure in representing Norway on the global stage.
Reporting by Policy-Wire (PW)
