Norway held the funeral ceremonies for King Harald V, bringing to a close 13 days of national mourning following the monarch’s death at the age of 89. The country honoured him with a minute’s silence, whilst tens of thousands of people took to the streets of Oslo. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and senior officials from more than 20 countries attended the church service.
Briefly about the main points
- Tens of thousands of people took to the streets in Oslo.
- The procession was accompanied by a 21-gun salute from Akershus Fortress.
- Zelenskyy and representatives from over 20 countries attended the service.
- Four F-35s flew over the cathedral after the ceremony.
- An NRK poll recorded 72% support for the monarchy.
A procession from the palace to the cathedral
The King’s coffin, mounted on an artillery carriage and draped with Norway’s red royal flag and white flowers, was carried along the main avenue from the Royal Palace to the cathedral. A 21-gun salute was fired from Akershus Fortress as the procession passed.
The new king followed the coffin Gokōn VIII, who succeeded to the throne following his father’s death, and other members of the royal family. The late king’s widow, the 89-year-old queen Sonya, and Gokhon’s wife Mette-Marit, who is recovering from a lung transplant in June, were travelling by car.
Leaders and representatives of the monarchies attended the service
Representatives of the royal houses of Great Britain, Spain, Sweden, Denmark, the Netherlands and Japan were present at the cathedral. Among the guests were Prince William і Princess Anna, King of Spain Felipe VI with the Queen Leticia, as well as the King of Denmark Frederick with the Queen Mary.
Speaker of Parliament Masoud Garakhani recalled the monarch who «was not afraid to meet his people in rubber boots». The Prime Minister Jonas Gar Støre said that Harald combined majesty with simplicity and spoke of Norway as «we», where people look out for one another.
Military honours, burial and security for the ceremony
After the service, four F-35 fighter jets flew over the cathedral, one of which broke formation as a mark of mourning for the King’s death. The coffin was taken to Akershus Fortress, where it was to be lowered into the royal crypt alongside his parents, grandmothers and grandfathers Harald during a private ceremony.
The Norwegian police have stated that the security operation for the funeral was the largest planned operation in the force’s history. Schoolchildren were allowed to miss lessons to attend the ceremony.
Support for the monarchy remains strong despite the scandals
The royal family’s recent period has been marred by scandals. Mette-Marit has been criticised – by the Prime Minister, amongst others – for her relationship with a late American sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. Her son from a previous relationship Marius Borg Goiby, who is under house arrest and is appealing against his conviction in a case involving rape and domestic violence, has been granted permission to carry the coffin.
At the same time, a poll conducted for the public broadcaster NRK showed that 72% Norwegians support the monarchy. 20% respondents opted for a republic or another form of government.
