European Royalty Mourn King Harald V in Oslo – Funeral Highlights

Thu Sep 10 2026 09:28:04 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time)

The funeral of Norway's King Harald V draws tens of thousands in Oslo, with European royals and heads of state paying respects.

Norway's King Harald V, who reigned for 35 years, was mourned in a somber funeral in Oslo that drew thousands of citizens and an array of European royals, including the Prince of Wales and Nordic kings. The funeral procession moved from the royal palace to Oslo Cathedral and, after a private ceremony at Akershus Fortress, the king was buried beside his family. Emotions ran high, with mourners wading through tears as politicians and monarchs attended the service, while the royal family waved to crowds from the palace balcony. The event underscored King Harald’s status as a beloved, modernizing figure and marked the end of a long reign.

European Royalty Mourn King Harald V in Oslo – Funeral Highlights

On Wednesday, thousands of Norwegians lined the streets of Oslo for the funeral of King Harald V, who reigned for 35 years before his death at the age of 89. The stages of the ceremony moved the late monarch’s coffin from the royal palace to Oslo Cathedral and finally to a private burial ceremony at Akershus Fortress, where his family and guests were present.

The procession attracted an impressive array of dignitaries: the Prince of Wales, Sweden’s King Carl XVI Gustaf, Denmark’s King Frederik X, Jordan’s King Abdullah, Belgium’s King Philippe, Spain’s King Felipe and Japan’s Emperor Naruhito. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and German President Frank‑Walter Steinmeier also stood beside the coffin, underscoring the event’s international weight.

During the ceremony at the cathedral, Queen Mette‑Marit, visibly moved, patted her eyelids while the prime minister delivered a stirring eulogy. King Haakon, now king, thanked his father for being a “good dad” and paid tribute to Harald’s commitment to the nation. A moment of silence was observed nationwide, interrupted only by a brief mobile phone alarm.

Later, the royal family gathered on the palace balcony to wave to the multitude, expressing gratitude for the nation’s support. The flags were raised from half‑mast to full mast to mark the close of the burial, and the new king’s coronation celebration was shown by a formation of F‑35 jets flying over the cathedral in a “missing man” salute.