Tens of thousands of Norwegians gathered at memorial services across the country on Sunday to mourn King Harald V, whose death at the age of 89 has placed Norway’s royal family and much of the nation in an official period of mourning.
In Oslo, mourners attended a service at the city’s cathedral after spending the weekend leaving flowers, cards and candles outside the Royal Palace, where the king’s coffin had arrived late on Friday from hospital. The Royal Court has confirmed that his funeral will take place at Oslo Cathedral at 1pm on Wednesday, September 9.
Dean Pål Kristian Balstad acknowledged the personal loss behind the national ceremony as he opened the service, telling worshippers: “This Sunday is different. His Majesty King Harald is dead. A family has lost their spouse, father, grandfather, father-in-law.”
King Harald died at Rikshospitalet in Oslo at 6.35am on Friday, August 28, according to the Norwegian Royal Court. His son immediately succeeded him as King Haakon VIII.
The new king and other members of the royal family attended a separate memorial service at Asker Church, south-west of the capital. Queen Sonja, Crown Princess Ingrid Alexandra and Prince Sverre Magnus were among those present.
Some Norwegians have postponed weddings, christenings and other celebrations until the mourning period has ended, Norway’s public broadcaster NRK reported.
King Haakon delivered his first address to the nation on Saturday evening, speaking of his grief at losing his father and promising to serve Norway with the same commitment.
“I’m going to miss him. I’ll miss his laughter. His good-natured way of dealing with people and situations,” he said in a speech broadcast live on Norwegian television.
Holding back tears, the new monarch vowed to give everything for the country, adopting the motto “All for Norway”, which was also used by his great-grandfather.
King Haakon will formally take his oath before Norway’s parliament, the Storting, on Tuesday, September 1. The Armed Forces said his father’s coffin is being guarded around the clock in the Palace Chapel, which is due to be opened to members of the public so they can pay their respects.
On the day of the funeral, the coffin will be carried from the Royal Palace to Oslo Cathedral on a gun carriage before being taken in procession to the Royal Mausoleum at Akershus Fortress, where the king will be laid to rest. A 21-gun mourning salute will be fired at noon, followed by a double royal salute after the service.
King Harald ruled Norway for 35 years and was widely regarded as a unifying figure. While the monarchy’s constitutional role is largely ceremonial, the royal family remains highly visible in public life and is closely associated with Norway’s national identity.
