Norway Bids Farewell to King Harald

King Harald V of Norway was buried on Wednesday after 13 days of national mourning. The monarch died at the age of 89, after more than three decades on the throne.

The procession on foot from the Royal Palace to the cathedral was accompanied by cannon salutes from Akershus fortress. As the coffin passed down Karl Johan Avenue, tens of thousands of onlookers fell silent, according to police. The church service began with a nationwide minute of silence.

Members of several European and Asian royal families, as well as foreign leaders, including Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier and Finnish President Alexander Stubb, traveled to pay their respects. Slovakia was represented by Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of the Environment Tomas Taraba.

Also present at the funeral was the new Queen Mette-Marit, who is recovering from a lung transplant. Her son, Marius Borg Høiby, who is under house arrest after being convicted of rape and domestic violence, also attended. He has appealed the verdict.

Harald’s coffin was then carried to the royal crypt at Akershus fortress, where it will be placed in a sarcophagus next to his parents. The national mourning period will end when the new King Haakon VIII leaves the crypt. Flags currently at half-mast will be raised again, and church bells throughout Norway will ring for an hour.

According to a survey, 72% of Norwegians continue to support the monarchy, while 20% prefer a republic or another form of government.

(Reuters, bak)