Norway bids farewell to King Harald V. – Funeral attended by royals and heads of state

On September 9, 2023, Norway bid farewell to King Harald V. with a funeral that attracted heads of state and representatives from royal families around the world. The procession, which began at 12:00 PM at the Royal Palace in Oslo, was lined by tens of thousands of people paying their last respects to their deceased monarch.

Following the casket in the procession were numerous high-ranking guests, including British Prince William and other members of European royal families. The funeral took place after 13 days of national mourning, following King Harald's death at the age of 89 on August 28, 2023.

The memorial service began at 1:00 PM in Oslo Cathedral and was considered a historic event by many. During the ceremony, multiple tributes were made, and a moment of silence was scheduled to honor the late king.

King Harald V. reigned over Norway from 1991 until his death and was regarded as an inclusive figure in the country. His passing caused a nationwide sense of mourning, evidenced by the large number of people who participated in the ceremonies and cheered during the procession.

After the memorial service, the casket was transported to Akershus Fortress, where the burial in the royal crypt will take place, the final resting place of several Norwegian monarchs. A private ceremony is expected to occur on a small scale.

The burial of King Harald concluded a comprehensive tribute from both Norwegians and international guests who attended the ceremony. Among those present were German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, who shared a moment of mourning in Oslo.