Tens of thousands of people lined the streets of Oslo on Wednesday for the funeral of King Harald V, bringing 13 days of national mourning to an end and marking the start of the reign of his son, King Haakon VIII.
Harald died on 28 August aged 89 after 35 years on the throne. More than 46,000 people had filed past his coffin during the days before the funeral.
The funeral procession travelled from the Royal Palace to Oslo Cathedral, with Harald's coffin carried on an artillery carriage under the royal banner. A 21-gun salute sounded from Akershus Fortress as the procession crossed the centre of the capital.
King Haakon VIII walked behind his father's coffin with Crown Princess Ingrid Alexandra, Prince Sverre Magnus and Princess Märtha Louise. Queen Sonja and Queen Mette-Marit followed by car.
About 1,900 military personnel formed a guard of honour along the route, while thousands of spectators gathered behind barriers.
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| The coffin of King Harald V of Norway stands in the cathedral as the royal family and guests sit during the funeral service for Norway's late King at the Oslo Cathedral in Oslo, Norway, on September 9, 2026. Photo: Stian Lysberg Solum / AFP / Lehtikuva |
Norway observed a minute's silence before the funeral service at Oslo Cathedral. Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre and parliament speaker Masud Gharahkhani were among those who addressed the congregation.
"He struck a balance between being stately and being down-to-earth," Støre said. "He made Norway greater. He spoke of a 'we' in Norway where everyone is there for each other."
The service brought together royal families and political leaders from Europe and beyond. Britain's Prince William represented King Charles III, while Princess Anne, godmother to King Haakon, attended in a private capacity.
Sweden's King Carl XVI Gustaf and Denmark's King Frederik X attended alongside Spain's King Felipe, the Netherlands' King Willem-Alexander and other members of European royal families. Jordan's King Abdullah II and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky were also among the guests.
Finnish President Alexander Stubb attended the private burial ceremony at Akershus Fortress.
Four Norwegian F-35 fighter jets flew over Oslo Cathedral after the service. One aircraft separated from the formation in a military tribute to Harald, who served as Norway's head of state and commander-in-chief.
The coffin then travelled to Akershus Fortress, where members of the royal family and invited guests attended a private service at the Palace Chapel.
Harald was laid to rest in the Royal Mausoleum, where his parents, King Olav V and Crown Princess Märtha, and his grandparents, King Haakon VII and Queen Maud, are also buried.
Flags across Oslo were raised from half-mast following the burial as a royal salute sounded from Akershus Fortress. Church bells rang across Norway for an hour.
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| Norway's Royal Family (L-R) King Haakon VIII of Norway, Queen Mette-Marit of Norway, Queen Sonja of Norway, Crown Princess Ingrid Alexandra of Norway and Prince Sverre Magnus of Norway wave from the balcony of the Royal Palace in Oslo, Norway, after Norway's late King Harald V was laid to rest at Akershus Castle, on September 9, 2026. Photo: Odd Andersen / AFP / Lehtikuva |
King Haakon and the royal family then returned to the Royal Palace and appeared on its balcony before crowds gathered outside.
Haakon, 53, became king on his father's death. He had served as crown prince since 1991 and has assumed the throne alongside his wife, Queen Mette-Marit.
The new king and queen later hosted a private reception at the Royal Palace for foreign heads of state, visiting royals, Norwegian officials and members of the royal family.
HT
