Prince William to attend King Harald’s funeral in Oslo

LONDON: Prince William will travel to Oslo next week to represent his father, King Charles, at the funeral of Norway’s late King Harald V, Buckingham Palace has announced.

The Prince of Wales is expected to join European royals and members of Norway’s royal family at the farewell ceremony on Wednesday, September 9. Princess Anne, who is godmother to Norway’s new monarch, King Haakon VIII, will also attend in a personal capacity.

King Harald, one of Europe’s longest-serving monarchs, died last month at the age of 89 after 35 years on the Norwegian throne. He was widely regarded as a popular and approachable monarch who helped guide Norway’s royal institution into the modern era.

William’s decision to attend follows the long-standing convention that reigning monarchs generally do not attend the funerals of other heads of state. His presence will therefore serve as a formal representation of King Charles while also reflecting the close relationship between the British and Norwegian royal families.

Thousands expected in Oslo

Large crowds are expected in Oslo for the funeral, with thousands of mourners already having queued at the Royal Palace Chapel to pay their final respects to King Harald during his lying in state.

The funeral procession will be followed by a service at Oslo Cathedral, where members of the Norwegian royal family and visiting European royals are expected to gather.

After the public ceremony, Harald will be laid to rest privately in Norway’s royal mausoleum at Akershus Fortress.

His widow, Queen Sonja, and their son, King Haakon VIII, will lead the Norwegian royal family during the ceremonies.

Haakon paid an emotional tribute to his father following his death, thanking him for being “such a good dad” and remembering him as a monarch who represented equality, justice and the values of Norwegian society.

King Charles also paid tribute to his cousin, praising Harald for his decades of service and describing his leadership as marked by dedication, warmth and humility.

A modernising “people’s king”

Harald was often described as a “people’s king” because of his informal manner and willingness to move beyond some of the traditional conventions associated with monarchy.

One of the most significant changes during his reign came through his marriage to Sonja Haraldsen, a commoner. Their relationship had initially faced resistance because of her background, but the couple eventually married in 1968.

Harald later became a symbol of continuity and unity in Norway, particularly during periods of social and political change.

William and his wife, Catherine, Princess of Wales, have also maintained close links with the Norwegian royal family. The couple visited Oslo in 2018 and met the then-Crown Prince Haakon and Crown Princess Mette-Marit.

Difficult beginning for new king

King Haakon inherits the throne at a challenging moment for the Norwegian royal family, which has faced several controversies this year.

Queen Mette-Marit has faced scrutiny over her past friendship with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, while her son, Marius Borg Høiby, was convicted of rape and other offences and sentenced to four years in prison. He is appealing the verdict.

Against that backdrop, Harald’s funeral is expected to be both a moment of national mourning and an important first major royal occasion for the new king.

While William travels to Norway, King Charles is expected to remain in Scotland. The British monarch recently met French President Emmanuel Macron in London and is due to host UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham at Balmoral during the traditional annual visit.

For Norway, however, the focus next week will be on saying goodbye to a monarch remembered for his warmth, humility and long service — and welcoming his successor as the country begins a new chapter.