In brief
The Royal Household confirmed that Prince William will be present at King Harald V’s funeral in Oslo on 9 September, representing his father King Charles. Princess Anne will attend in her own right, while the new monarch, King Haakon VIII, delivers a heartfelt eulogy. The service will be followed by a private burial at Akershus Fortress. Scandals in the royal family and public admiration for King Harald’s modernising reign add layers to this symbolic visit. Royal visitors set a tone of international solidarity and respect for the Norwegian people.
The Prince of Wales will be on hand when King Harald V of Norway is laid to rest in Oslo on Wednesday. The announcement comes from Buckingham Palace, and the royal jet has already charted a flight to Scandinavia.
Princess Anne will also attend, but “in a personal capacity,” according to the palace. She has a special bond with the Norwegian royals – she is the godmother of the new king, Haakon VIII.
King Harald reigned for 35 years until his death on 30 August at the age of 89. He was known as a “people’s king” who broke tradition by marrying a commoner and worked to modernise the monarchy.
The attendance follows a long‑standing convention that the monarch does not typically go to another head of state’s funeral – but the heir‑to‑the‑throne is considered a fitting representative for his father, King Charles.
Large crowds will fill the streets of Oslo for the farewell, with a procession leading to a service at Oslo Cathedral. Mourners queued in the Royal Palace chapel to pay their respects during the lying‑in‑state period.
At the tribute, King Haakon delivered a tearful televised speech, cherishing his father as “a good dad.” He also praised the values of “law and justice” that Norway represents, while King Charles’s message highlighted King Harald’s dedication and humility through decades of change.
In a mix of tragedy and celebration, the gathering features the widowed Queen Sonja, new King Haakon, and other European royals, with a private burial behind Akershus Fortress to close the ceremony.
