Royals and World Leaders Gather in Oslo for King Harald V’s Final Farewell

Norway on Wednesday held a solemn state funeral for King Harald V, bringing together members of Europe’s royal families, world leaders and thousands of mourners to honour a monarch who spent 35 years on the Norwegian throne.

Harald, who died on August 28 at the age of 89, was laid to rest following 13 days of national mourning. His funeral marked the end of an era for Norway and the beginning of a new chapter under his son, King Haakon VIII.

The ceremonial proceedings began with the late king’s coffin leaving the Royal Palace at noon before being carried in procession through central Oslo to Oslo Cathedral, where the funeral service began at 1 p.m.

According to the Norwegian Royal House, the procession included members of Norway’s royal family, visiting royals, heads of state, prime ministers and senior Norwegian officials.

The funeral attracted a major international gathering, reflecting Harald’s long-standing relationships with other royal families and European leaders.

Among those attending or expected were Prince William of Britain, Japan’s Crown Prince Akishino, Spain’s King Felipe VI and Queen Letizia, Sweden’s royal family, Denmark’s King Frederik X and Queen Mary, as well as members of the royal houses of the Netherlands, Belgium, Jordan and Monaco.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy was also in Oslo for the funeral, alongside several European leaders and senior international representatives.

The gathering underlined the close personal and diplomatic relationships that Harald maintained throughout his reign.

Large crowds gathered in Oslo to watch the funeral procession and ceremony, with public viewing areas and large screens arranged for people unable to enter the restricted areas.

Thousands of Norwegians had already paid their final respects while Harald’s coffin lay in state at the Royal Palace. At one point, mourners reportedly faced waits of several hours to enter the Palace Chapel.

A nationwide minute of silence was scheduled to coincide with the beginning of the funeral service.

The Norwegian government said the coffin would later be taken to Akershus Castle Church, where a private ceremony would be held before the late monarch was interred.

Harald became king in 1991 following the death of his father, King Olav V, and remained on the throne for more than three decades.

He was widely regarded as a modernising and inclusive monarch who helped make the Norwegian royal family more accessible to the public.

His popularity remained strong even as the royal household faced controversies and questions over the future of the monarchy.

Reuters reported that a recent opinion poll found that around 72% of Norwegians continued to support the monarchy following Harald’s death.

His death therefore represents more than the passing of a head of state. For many Norwegians, it marks the loss of a familiar national figure who had been part of public life for generations.

With Harald’s death, his son automatically became King Haakon VIII. The new monarch formally pledged allegiance to Norway’s Constitution before parliament last week.

Wednesday’s funeral therefore carries a dual significance, it is both a final farewell to Harald and a highly symbolic moment in the transition to a new reign.

Following the private burial ceremony, Norway is expected to formally close the national mourning period, with flags returning to full mast and church bells ringing across the country.

For a nation that had known Harald as king since 1991, the ceremonies in Oslo offered a final opportunity to honour a monarch remembered by supporters as a warm, unifying and deeply human figure.