Norway Bids Farewell to King Harald V at State Funeral
European royals and leaders gather in Oslo for the burial of Europe's oldest monarch after a 35-year reign.
KEY POINTS
- King Harald V died August 28, 2026, aged 89, after 35 years on the throne
- State funeral held Wednesday September 9 with procession from Royal Palace to Oslo Cathedral
- King Haakon VIII succeeded his father and led mourners alongside European royalty
- Public viewing drew queues up to seven hours; central Oslo closed for ceremony
- Burial at Akershus Castle Church followed by government reception for 450 guests
Norway held a state funeral Wednesday for King Harald V, who died on August 28 at age 89 after a 35-year reign. The coffin was carried in a procession from the Royal Palace to Oslo Cathedral at noon, followed by a funeral service at 1 p.m. A minute of silence was observed nationwide at the start of the ceremony.
New King Haakon VIII, the late king's son, led the royal family on foot alongside visiting monarchs from Sweden, Denmark, Spain, the Netherlands, Belgium, and Jordan. Britain's Prince William and Japan's Crown Prince Akishino also attended, while King Charles III remained in the United Kingdom per protocol.
“They called him 'grandfather of all Norway'”
Thousands of Norwegians waited up to seven hours over the weekend to file past the coffin lying in state at the palace chapel. Authorities closed central Oslo to vehicles and electric scooters and set up large screens for public viewing.
After the cathedral service, the procession continued to Akershus Castle Church, where a private ceremony preceded the coffin's interment in the royal mausoleum. A government reception for about 450 guests followed at Oslo City Hall.
Harald, described by many as the "grandfather of all Norway," modernized the monarchy but declined to abdicate despite his advanced age. His son swore an oath of allegiance to the constitution in parliament last week.
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