Funeral of King Harald V of Norway

Following the passing of King Harald V and the Accession of King Haakon VIII, Royalty and Heads of State from the around the World have joined the Norwegian Royal Family in the Procession from the Royal Palace of Oslo for the Funeral of King Harald V of Norway at Oslo Cathedral on September 9th, which will be followed by a Procession to the Akershus Fortress for the Burial.

Following the Lying-in-State in the Chapel of the Royal Palace of Oslo, the Coffin of King Harald V was taken in a Procession to Oslo Cathedral, followed by members of the Norwegian Royal Family, Foreign Royalty and Heads of State.

The Coffin is followed by His Majesty the King, Her Majesty the Queen, Her Royal Highness Crown Princess Ingrid Alexandra, Queen Sonja, Prince Sverre Magnus and Princess Märtha Louise. Foreign Royalty, Heads of State and Prime Ministers, representatives of official Norway and representatives of the Royal Court also participate in the procession.

King Haakon VIII of Norway Crown Princess Ingrid Alexandra Prince Sverre Magnus Princess Märtha Louise

Queen Mette-Marit and Queen Sonja of Norway

King Carl XVI Gustaf of Sweden with Crown Princess Victoria and Prince Daniel, Prince Carl Philip and Princess Sofia, Princess Madeleine and Christopher O’Neill

King Abdullah II and Queen Rania of Jordan

Prince Albert II and Princess Charlene of Monaco

King Willem-Alexander and Queen Máxima of the Netherlands with the Princess of Orange

King Philippe and Queen Mathilde of Belgium

King Felipe VI and Queen Letizia of Spain

King Frederik X and Queen Mary of Denmark with Crown Prince Christian

Grand Duke Guillaume and Grand Duchess Stéphanie of Luxembourg with Grand Duke Henri

Hereditary Prince Alois and Hereditary Princess Sophie of Liechtenstein

Crown Prince Akishino and Crown Princess Kiko of Japan

The Prince of Wales and the Princess Royal with Crown Prince Pavlos of Greece

The Funeral Service of King Harald V of Norway was held at Oslo Cathedral officiated by Olav Fykse Tveit, Primate of the Church of Norway.

The ceremony was led by Pres. Olav Fykse Tveit and followed the Church of Norway’s funeral arrangements. Oslo Bishop Sunniva Gylver also contributed. Music played an important role in the ceremony. Cathedral Cantor Marcus André Berg led the church music together with the Oslo Cathedral Choir. At the beginning of the ceremony, there was a minute of silence throughout the country, which began and ended with three bells.

The President of the Storting and the Prime Minister gave memorial speeches. There were candlelight vigils by representatives of different faiths and philosophies. King Harald’s family and close friends were present. The entire official Norwegian government was represented, along with guests representing the breadth of King Harald’s life and work. There were also Royal Guests and Heads of State from a number of countries.

Following the Funeral Service, the Coffin of King Harald V was taken in a Procession from Oslo Cathedral to the Akershus Fortress, followed by King Haakon VIII of Norway with King Frederik X of Denmark and King Carl XVI Gustaf of Sweden. Following a private service, the Coffin was lowered into the Crypt of the Akershus Fortress Church.

After the funeral, the coffin was taken in procession to Akershus Fortress Church. There was a private ceremony for the family and royal guests. The President of the Storting, the Prime Minister, the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, and the presidents of Iceland and Finland were also present. The bier was lowered into the crypt in the Palace Church, where the two sarcophagi of King Haakon, Queen Maud, King Olav and Crown Princess Märtha were located.

After the ceremony in Akershus Castle Church, His Majesty the King and Her Majesty the Queen will come out into the courtyard of Akershus Fortress. The flags that have been flying at half-mast will be raised to their highest point, and a double royal salute will be fired. At the same time, the country’s church bells will ring for one hour. His Majesty the King, Her Majesty the Queen, Her Royal Highness the Crown Princess, Queen Sonja and Prince Sverre Magnus drive back to the Royal Palace along the same route that the procession has taken.

After arriving back at the Palace, Norway’s new royal couple, Her Royal Highness the Crown Princess, Queen Sonja and Prince Sverre Magnus, will appear on the Palace balcony. The time for this will be announced.

Their Majesties the King and Queen will hold a reception at the Palace after the funeral ceremony, which will be attended by representatives of official Norway, visiting Heads of State, Royals and Family.