Today, Wednesday, September 9th, the eyes of the world are on Oslo for the State Funeral of King Harald V of Norway, who passed away on August 28 at the age of 89 after several days in the hospital. Since then, the entire country has been mourning the loss of its beloved sovereign, regarded by several generations as the “grandfather of the nation.”
Since Tuesday afternoon, numerous royals have arrived, among them King Felipe and Queen Letizia; Princess Alexia of Greece with her husband, Carlos Morlaes, her brother, Prince Nikolaos of Greece, and her mother, Queen Anne-Marie; Alois of Liechtenstein; Abdullah and Rania of Jordan; and Rosario Nadal, a close friend of Queen Mette-Marit. They were all seen around the Grand Hotel as they gathered for a historic reception hosted by Haakon VIII and Mette-Marit.
© CORNELIUS POPPEKing Harald’s coffin arrives at his final resting place
King Harald’s coffin has arrived at Akershus Fortress, his final resting place. Located in the heart of Oslo overlooking the fjord, Akershus is one of Norway’s most important historic landmarks.
© TOR ERIK SCHRDERConstruction began around 1290, and over the centuries it evolved from a medieval castle into a fortress. For more than 700 years, Akershus has been closely tied to Norway’s monarchy and government, and today it is home to the royal mausoleum.
© STIAN LYSBERG SOLUMFuture queens Victoria of Sweden and Princess Amalia share a moment after the funeral
Following King Harald’s funeral service, Crown Princess Victoria of Sweden and Princess Catharina-Amalia of the Netherlands were seen sharing a relaxed conversation. Both are future queens, although they belong to different generations of European royalty.
© Chris JacksonThree kings united in grief
One of the most poignant images of the day was King Haakon of Norway surrounded by King Carl XVI Gustaf of Sweden and King Frederik X of Denmark during the final procession before King Harald’s burial. The three Scandinavian monarchies share deep historical ties and decades of friendship.
Norwegian military aircraft fly over Oslo in tribute to King Harald
© Chris JacksonIn a final tribute, Norwegian Armed Forces aircraft flew over Oslo before King Harald V’s coffin began its journey to his final resting place in the crypt at Akershus Castle. The procession continued to the sound of a funeral march performed by a military band.
© STIAN LYSBERG SOLUMKing Harald V’s final resting place at Akershus Castle
Following the funeral, King Harald’s coffin is being carried in procession to Akershus Castle Church, where a private ceremony will be held for the family and royal guests.
The president of the Storting, Norway’s prime minister and the chief justice of the Supreme Court will also attend, along with the presidents of Iceland and Finland. The coffin will then be lowered into the crypt of the castle church, where King Haakon VII, Queen Maud, King Olav V and Crown Princess Märtha are also laid to rest.
© LISE ASERUD“We give thanks for King Harald and for all you have given us through his life”
“Eternal God, our refuge in this time of sorrow, draw near to us with your peace. Strengthen us in faith. Give us a future and hope. We give thanks for King Harald and for all you have given us through his life. Merciful God, we commend him into your hands. You who created us in your image and gave us Jesus Christ as our Savior, raise us on the last day to eternal life with you,” the farewell prayer read.
© LISE ASERUDPrincess Ingrid Alexandra comforts Prince Sverre Magnus
In one of the more emotional moments of the service, Princess Ingrid Alexandra offered support to her younger brother, Prince Sverre Magnus, during the performance of Abide with Me.
Final blessing for King Harald
“May the Lord bless you and keep you; may the Lord make his face shine upon you and be gracious to you; may the Lord turn his face toward you and give you peace.”
© LISE ASERUDCrown Princess Victoria of Sweden says a prayer for her godfather
Crown Princess Victoria of Sweden stepped forward to lead a prayer, first making a final curtsy to her godfather, King Harald. The future queen of Sweden then read the Prayer of St. Francis in Swedish.
The prayer carries special significance for Victoria and the Norwegian royal family. She recited the same prayer when King Haakon and Queen Mette-Marit married at Oslo Cathedral in 2001. The Swedish crown princess was also among the first royals to support the relationship of Norway’s now King and Queen.
© LISE ASERUDMusic plays a central role in King Harald’s funeral
Music has played a central role throughout King Harald’s funeral, accompanying some of the most moving moments of the historic service. The ceremony was presided over by Presiding Bishop Olav Fykse Tveit and followed the funeral rites of the Church of Norway. Bishop of Oslo Sunniva Gylver also took part in the service.
Gospel of John read in Sámi during King Harald’s funeral
A passage from the Gospel of John was read in Sámi during the funeral service: “I am the good shepherd. I know my own and my own know me. I give them eternal life, and they will never perish. No one will take them out of my hand. What my Father has given me is greater than all else, and no one can take it out of the Father’s hand.”
© LISE ASERUD
© LISE ASERUDA tribute to Queen Sonja
Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre also paid tribute to Queen Sonja, highlighting her tireless dedication to culture, nature and traveling to even the most remote corners of Norway. “I have an image etched in my memory. At the top of Stortinden, in Vågan municipality in Lofoten, stands Dronningvarden, with the words ‘for a country.’ But I say, on behalf of all of us, for a queen.”
© PAUL S. AMUNDSEN
Traditional Norwegian song performed during King Harald’s funeral
The traditional song “Jørgen Hattemaker” was performed during the funeral service. The song tells the story of a hatmaker who compares his life with that of King Solomon. Despite the differences between them, both ultimately share the same fundamental condition as human beings.
© LISE ASERUDNorway’s prime minister pays tribute to King Harald
“We are deeply grateful for King Harald’s 35 years as King of Norway, but above all for the person he was. He brought humanity to the solemnity of the monarchy. When we were happy, he was happy with us, with laughter and a twinkle in his eye,” Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre said.
© ODD ANDERSENPresident of the Norwegian Parliament delivers the first address
The President of the Norwegian Parliament delivers the first address during King Harald’s funeral service at Oslo Cathedral.
© Per Ole HagenNorway observes a minute of silence for King Harald
The entire nation observes a minute of silence in honor of King Harald, beginning and ending with three tolls of the bell. The guests inside Oslo Cathedral then take their seats.
© Chris JacksonKing Harald’s funeral service begins at Oslo Cathedral
All guests have now taken their seats inside Oslo Cathedral as King Harald’s funeral service begins. The King’s family is seated on one side of the altar, while members of royal families from around the world are seated on the other.
© ODD ANDERSENRoyal Guard soldier faints at Palace Square before funeral procession
A Royal Guard soldier fainted at Palace Square shortly before King Harald’s funeral procession began. The soldier lost consciousness and has since been evacuated. According to Norwegian news agency NTB, another soldier was also removed from formation at a different location.
© Peter SummersMore than 200,000 Norwegians take to the streets for King Harald’s funeral
More than 200,000 people, including 53,000 in central Oslo, have taken part in King Harald’s state funeral, as Norway comes together for a historic and deeply solemn royal farewell.
© Peter SummersNorwegian royal family welcomed by church officials at Oslo Cathedral
Upon their arrival at Oslo Cathedral, Queen Sonja, King Haakon and Queen Mette-Marit, Princess Märtha Louise, Princess Ingrid Alexandra and Prince Sverre Magnus were welcomed by church officials. Other members of the royal families in attendance then began entering the cathedral.
© Chris JacksonMarius Borg Høiby and Durek Verrett arrive with Princess Märtha Louise’s daughters
Princess Märtha Louise’s three daughters, Maud Angelica, Leah Isadora and Emma Tallulah, have entered Oslo Cathedral alongside Durek Verrett and Marius Borg Høiby.
© Per Ole HagenKing Harald’s funeral procession approaches Oslo Cathedral
King Harald’s funeral procession is approaching Oslo Cathedral as thousands of Norwegians line the streets, respectfully paying their final tribute to the late monarch.
© Peter SummersKing Felipe and Queen Letizia join the procession behind King Harald’s coffin
© Per Ole HagenA profound silence has fallen over Oslo as King Harald’s funeral procession makes its way through the city. Alongside the Norwegian royal family, members of royal families from across Europe have joined this solemn moment, including King Felipe and Queen Letizia of Spain, King Willem-Alexander and Queen Máxima of the Netherlands, and their daughter, Princess Catharina-Amalia.
© Peter SummersKing Harald’s funeral procession begins through the streets of Oslo
King Haakon, accompanied by his children, Princess Ingrid Alexandra and Prince Sverre Magnus, and his sister, Princess Märtha Louise, escorts King Harald’s coffin during his final journey through the crowded streets of Oslo. Queens Mette-Marit and Sonja follow in a car behind them.
© Peter SummersKing Harald’s coffin leaves the Royal Palace for his final farewell
King Harald’s coffin has left the chapel at the Royal Palace, where members of his family and dozens of Norwegians paid their respects, and is now making its way to Oslo Cathedral for the funeral service. Draped in the royal standard and topped with a wreath of flowers, the coffin has been placed on a purple velvet catafalque.
© JONATHAN NACKSTRANDPrince Albert and Princess Charlene of Monaco and Queen Rania of Jordan head to Oslo Cathedral
Prince Albert and Princess Charlene of Monaco were seen boarding the bus that will take them to Oslo Cathedral for King Harald V’s state funeral. The Grimaldi flag is also flying at half-staff in Monaco as a sign of mourning following the Norwegian monarch’s death.
© Peter SummersQueen Rania of Jordan was also seen leaving the Grand Hotel in the Norwegian capital, following the royal protocol and dress code for the solemn occasion.
© Peter SummersGrand Duchess Maria Teresa of Luxembourg pays tribute to King Harald
Grand Duchess Maria Teresa shared a heartfelt tribute ahead of the funeral: “On this day of the funeral of the much-loved King of Norway, I remember with emotion the immense affection he always showed me. I will never forget his wonderful sense of humor either.”
© Peter SummersKing Frederik and Queen Mary of Denmark leave the royal yacht for King Harald’s funeral
Dressed in military uniform, King Frederik X left the Danish royal yacht alongside his wife, Queen Mary, as the couple made their way to King Harald’s funeral. The Danish royals chose to travel to Oslo aboard their own vessel and spend the night there rather than stay at a hotel.
Marius Borg Høiby heads to King Harald’s funeral
Marius Borg Høiby, who is serving a four-year sentence from Skaugum Palace, was seen leaving by car as part of a motorcade that also included his mother, Queen Mette-Marit, King Haakon VIII, Princess Ingrid Alexandra and Prince Sverre Magnus.
© Peter SummersAbout 2,000 soldiers to accompany Harald V’s coffin
As Harald V’s coffin is carried through the streets of Oslo to his final resting place, every branch of the Armed Forces will be represented to render him their last honors. A total of 1,900 service members from all the services will line the route along the streets. The United Kingdom, Sweden, and Denmark have also sent troops.
© Sean GallupGiant screens set up in downtown Oslo
In addition to being closed to traffic, downtown Oslo has been equipped with giant screens so people can follow all of today’s events. More than 170 churches across the country will also broadcast the funeral ceremony live.
King Philippe and Queen Mathilde of Belgium and the Grand Dukes of Luxembourg arrive
King Philippe and Queen Mathilde of Belgium and the Grand Duke and Grand Duchess of Luxembourg, Guillaume and Stéphanie, have arrived together by bus. The monarchs are dressed in their full ceremonial uniforms and decorations.
© FREDERIK RINGNESThe Swedish Royal Family lands on Norwegian soil
The Swedish Royal Family has already landed in Oslo. It is one of the monarchies sending the largest delegation to this State Funeral, due to strong family and friendship ties. Crown Princess Victoria is one of King Harald’s godchildren and one of those who has most deeply mourned the loss of her “dear” godfather.
Watch the Live Stream:
In addition, King Carl Gustaf has already announced that on Wednesday there will be a bell-ringing ceremony at Riddarholm Church in Stockholm. Harald V was appointed Knight of the Royal Order of the Seraphim by King Gustaf VI Adolf in 1958. In 1992, he received the chain of this Order.
© Frederik Ringnes / NTB / AFP via Getty ImagesThe king’s standard flies at half-mast over Madrid’s Royal Palace
Before 9:00 a.m., King Felipe VI’s standard was lowered to half-mast at the Royal Palace in Madrid as a sign of mourning on the day of King Harald V of Norway’s funeral. At the moment of his interment, it will be raised to the top of the mast in tribute to King Haakon VIII.
© NICOLAS TUCATPrincess Märtha Louise of Norway and Durek Verrett arrive at the Royal Palace
Despite his recent kidney transplant, Durek Verrett arrived at the Royal Palace with his wife, Princess Märtha Louise of Norway, to join the Norwegian Royal Family in their grief and in this major tribute to King Harald. Princess Märtha Louise is no longer an active member of the Royal Family, but she always maintained a very close and loving relationship with her father. King Harald and Queen Sonja attended their daughter’s wedding to the shaman to the Hollywood stars.
Queen Sonja’s walk through the Royal Palace park
Very early on Wednesday morning, at 7:00 a.m., Queen Sonja was seen out for a walk in sportswear through the Royal Palace park. Cell phone in hand, she took a photo of her own statue, which was covered in flowers. Today will be an incredibly difficult day for her: she will say a final goodbye to the man she was married to for almost 58 years and with whom she shared a royal love story unlike any other.
© JONATHAN NACKSTRANDStreets packed hours before the funeral
Oslo has gone into maximum security mode for an event that has posed a major security and logistical challenge. Flights have been canceled at the airport so that planes carrying royals and dignitaries from around the world can land to say farewell to the Nordic monarch.
© Chris Jackson
