Norway has begun to bid a final farewell to King Harald V, a modern and unifying figure in a funeral that is being attended by European royals and foreign dignitaries.
The funeral procession marks the conclusion of thirteen days of nationwide mourning following King Harald V’s passing on 28 August.
Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Britain’s Prince William, Spain’s royal couple, the presidents of Finland, Germany and the Czech Republic, as well as the French and Thai prime ministers, are among those present in Oslo attending the service.
The casket is being carried on an artillery carriage along the city’s main avenue to Oslo’s Lutheran cathedral, where the ceremony opened with a minute of silence observed across the country.
Norway’s royal family, led by new King Haakon VIII, along with foreign royals, heads of state and various dignitaries, participate in the procession on foot.
Only Harald’s widow, the 89‑year‑old Queen Sonja, and the new Queen Mette‑Marit—who recently underwent a lung transplant in June—follow the cortege in a vehicle.
Marius Borg Høiby, Mette‑Marit’s son from a prior relationship who remains under house arrest awaiting appellate review of a rape and assault conviction, has been given permission to attend the funeral.
Additional guests include Japan’s Crown Prince Akishino and Princess Kiko, both representing Scandinavian royalty, plus the Belgian and Dutch royal couples, Prince Albert of Monaco, and Jordan’s King Abdullah II.
High security
Upon completion of the religious service, four F‑35 fighter jets will fly above the cathedral in a “missing man” formation while the casket proceeds to the Akershus Castle chapel.
Inside, the coffin will be placed in the crypt of the royal mausoleum, situated beside Harald’s parents and grandparents.
The king will be interred in a custom‑designed sarcophagus valued at $2 million ($1.7 million), though the exact design remains undisclosed.
After burial concludes, flags throughout Norway, which were lowered to half‑mast in honor of his death, will be raised anew and church bells will ring for an hour.
Nordic law enforcement has mobilized close to 3,000 officers—the largest operation ever recorded by Norwegian police—and approximately 3,500 soldiers have been deployed, with additional airspace restrictions implemented over much of eastern Norway.
During his long reign since ascending the throne in 1991, Harald remained the oldest reigning monarch in Europe. Though he faced mounting health concerns, he consistently chose to remain on the throne rather than abdicate, earning widespread affection among Norwegians.
His leadership style embodied Norway’s openness; celebrated in a 2016 commemorative address, he remarked, “Norwegians are…girls who love girls, boys who love boys, and girls and boys who love each other,” adding, “Norwegians believe in God, Allah, the Universe, and nothing.”
Reinvigorated monarchy
Over the past week, thousands of Norwegians lined up to view the casket, with some queuing for hours.
The plaza in front of the palace became a gathering spot adorned with flowers, drawings, and candles.
“He was the grandfather of the nation,” said Gunn Johnsen, 81, who traveled from a distant location just to pay his final respects.
Witnesses further praised him as “generous, inclusive, and kind.”
A large billboard near the University of Oslo featured a smiling photograph of Harald with the banner “Thank you for everything.”
Public sentiment regarding the monarchy shows robust support; 72 percent of Norwegians back the institution—a rise of eight points from an earlier May poll. This position rose from lows reached in February, when only sixty percent expressed support.
Opinions on the reigning queen, Mette‑Marit, are polarized. While her husband, King Haakon VIII, enjoys broad popularity, views on the newly appointed queen vary widely, reflecting mixed public opinion about the royal family’s contemporary role.