Norway bids farewell to King Harald V in grand state funeral

Norway on Wednesday laid King Harald V to rest in a solemn state funeral attended by members of royal families and senior leaders from around the world.

OSLO: Norway on Wednesday laid King Harald V to rest in a solemn state funeral attended by members of royal families and senior leaders from around the world.

Harald died at the age of 89 after more than three decades on the Norwegian throne. His funeral marked the end of 13 days of national mourning.

The funeral procession began at the Royal Palace at noon local time. The king’s coffin was carried through central Oslo towards Oslo Cathedral, with cannon fire from the historic Akershus Fortress marking the occasion.

Thousands of mourners gathered along Karl Johan Avenue to pay their final respects. Police said tens of thousands of people lined the route, with crowds falling silent as the coffin passed.

A church service began at Oslo Cathedral at 1pm following a nationwide minute of silence. Members of Norway’s royal family walked behind the coffin during the procession.

The ceremony brought together prominent members of European and Asian royal families. Britain was represented by Prince William and Princess Anne, while Japan’s Crown Prince Akishino and Crown Princess Kiko also attended.

Spain’s King Felipe, Queen Letizia and Queen Sofia were among the guests. Sweden’s royal family and Denmark’s King Frederik and Queen Mary also joined the mourners.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy attended the funeral after arriving in Oslo a day earlier. He had also held talks with Norway’s prime minister over the war with Russia.

Zelenskiy joined the funeral procession and received applause from crowds as he left the cathedral.

The United States was represented by Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs Allison Hooker.

Harald’s widow, Queen Sonja, attended the ceremony alongside the new Queen Mette-Marit, wife of King Haakon VIII.

Mette-Marit has been recovering from a lung transplant performed in June. She had recently been forced to cancel her attendance at her husband’s oath ceremony because of complications following the operation.

Her son, Marius Borg Hoiby, also attended the funeral. He is currently under house arrest and wearing an electronic ankle monitor following his conviction for rape and domestic violence. He has appealed the sentence.

Hoiby had previously served as one of the pall-bearers when Harald’s coffin was moved to the royal chapel, a decision that attracted criticism.

Following the cathedral service, four F-35 fighter jets flew over the area. One aircraft broke formation in a symbolic gesture marking the king’s death.

The coffin was then taken in a smaller procession towards the royal crypt at Akershus Fortress overlooking Oslo harbour. The procession moved to the music of Chopin’s Funeral March.

Harald’s coffin will be placed in a sarcophagus beside those of his parents.

Once King Haakon emerges from the crypt, the official mourning period will come to an end. National flags that have remained at half-mast since Harald’s death will then be raised.

Church bells across Norway are also scheduled to ring for an hour.

Security arrangements for the funeral were described as the largest planned police operation in Norway’s history. Schools allowed children to miss classes so they could witness the historic ceremony.

Harald remained a widely respected figure during his reign. Hundreds of thousands of people had already visited the Royal Palace to leave flowers, candles and Norwegian flags or to pay their respects to his coffin.

Mourners remembered the king for his approachable and inclusive style. His successor, Haakon, described Harald as a wonderful father in his first national address after becoming king.