It has been officially confirmed by Buckingham Palace that Prince William, the Prince of Wales, will be present at the funeral of King Harald V of Norway, scheduled for Wednesday in Oslo.
Princess Anne, who serves as the godmother to Norway’s newly crowned monarch, King Haakon VIII, will also attend the funeral in a personal capacity. King Harald, who passed away last month at the age of 89, was a beloved figure and had reigned for 35 years, modernizing the monarchy along the way.
According to royal sources, Prince William’s participation is in line with the traditional practice where the reigning monarch typically does not attend the funerals of other heads of state, thus he will represent his father, King Charles.
Details of the Funeral and Attendees
The funeral service for King Harald is set to draw large crowds on September 9, where a procession will lead to a service at Oslo Cathedral. Thousands have already lined up to pay their respects during the king’s lying in state at the Royal Palace Chapel in the capital.
At the ceremony, Prince William will be joined by the grieving Queen Sonja, other members of the Norwegian royal family, including the new King Haakon VIII, as well as various European royals.
Following the service, a private burial will take place in the royal mausoleum located within the Akershus Fortress in Norway.
Tributes and Challenges Facing the New King
Among the heartfelt tributes to King Harald was a poignant televised address from his son, King Haakon, who expressed gratitude, saying, “Thank you for being such a good dad.” King Harald earned the title of a “people’s king” through his approachable nature and efforts to modernize the monarchy, including marrying a commoner.
In his tribute, King Charles recognized King Harald’s unwavering commitment to his people, noting how he guided Norway through significant change with both warmth and humility.
As King Haakon VIII steps into his new role, he is confronted with challenges, especially given the recent controversies surrounding the Norwegian royal family. His wife, Queen Mette-Marit, faced public scrutiny due to her past association with Jeffrey Epstein, while her son, Marius Borg Høiby, has been convicted of multiple offenses, including rape, and is currently appealing his sentence.
Royal Engagements and Activities
While Prince William attends the funeral in Norway, King Charles has made his way back to Scotland after a meeting with French President Emmanuel Macron at the Bayeux Tapestry exhibition in London. This weekend, the King is set to host Andy Burnham, the mayor of Greater Manchester, during the traditional annual visit of the prime minister to Balmoral.
