Norway mourns a king remembered for bringing people together
Norway on Wednesday said goodbye to King Harald V, ending nearly two weeks of national mourning for a monarch remembered for his warmth, openness and close connection with the public.
Harald, who died on August 28 at the age of 89, was honoured at a state funeral in Oslo Cathedral attended by members of the Norwegian royal family, foreign royals and political leaders.
The king had ruled Norway for 35 years and was Europe’s oldest reigning monarch at the time of his death.
Thousands line Oslo streets for final farewell
Harald’s coffin left the Royal Palace at noon, carried in a ceremonial procession towards Oslo Cathedral.
Members of the royal family walked behind the coffin as crowds gathered along the route. A nationwide minute of silence was observed when the funeral service began at 1pm.
More than 46,000 people had already visited Harald’s coffin while it lay in state, many waiting for hours to pay their respects.
The ceremony drew an international gathering that included Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Britain’s Prince William, alongside members of European and Asian royal families.
A monarch known for an open and inclusive Norway
Harald’s three-decade reign was marked by a more informal approach to the monarchy and a strong emphasis on bringing the royal family closer to ordinary Norwegians.
He became particularly known for a 2016 speech in which he spoke about Norway as a country where people could love freely and belong regardless of their faith or background.
His approach helped cement his image as a modern, accessible monarch.
That popularity remained evident after his death. A poll published after his passing found that 72 per cent of Norwegians supported retaining the monarchy, an increase from earlier in the year.
A royal family facing a new chapter
Harald’s death has also marked a new chapter for Norway’s monarchy.
His son, King Haakon VIII, has succeeded him on the throne. Haakon led members of the royal family during Wednesday’s funeral procession.
The royal family has faced controversy in recent months, including scrutiny surrounding Queen Mette-Marit’s past association with Jeffrey Epstein and legal proceedings involving her son, Marius Borg Høiby.
Despite those controversies, public support for the monarchy has remained relatively strong.
After the funeral service, Harald’s coffin was taken to Akershus Fortress, where a private burial ceremony was held in the royal mausoleum. Four F-35 fighter jets flew over the cathedral in a symbolic “missing man” formation.
For Norway, the funeral marked the end of an era, and the beginning of another under King Haakon VIII.
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