King Haakon VIII and Prince William met in their new roles for the first time on Wednesday as Norway held the funeral of the late King Harald V in Oslo.
The Prince of Wales represented King Charles at the service in Oslo Cathedral, while Princess Anne attended in a personal capacity as the new Norwegian monarch’s godmother. William later offered words of comfort to King Haakon and Crown Princess Ingrid Alexandra at a reception at the Royal Palace. ([itv.com](https://www.itv.com/news/2026-09-09/william-and-anne-join-foreign-royals-at-funeral-for-king-harald-v-of-norway))
Haakon, 53, had spent more than three decades as Crown Prince before succeeding his father, who died aged 89 on August 28 after a 35-year reign. The Norwegian royal court confirmed that the funeral procession began at the Royal Palace before moving to Oslo Cathedral, where the service was held at 1pm. ([kongehuset.no](https://www.kongehuset.no/for-pressen/information-in-english/the-funeral-of-king-harald-v-en))
The new King and William, 44, have known one another for years, having appeared together at European royal gatherings, state occasions and commemorations while they were both heirs to their respective thrones.
William and the Princess of Wales visited Norway in February 2018, when they were hosted by the then-Crown Prince Haakon and Crown Princess Mette-Marit. The two couples met again at Windsor Castle in March 2023.
On Wednesday, William walked behind Harald’s coffin as it was carried on a gun carriage through the Norwegian capital, alongside Princess Anne and visiting members of other royal families. The coffin was draped in the red Norwegian royal standard. ([itv.com](https://www.itv.com/news/2026-09-09/william-and-anne-join-foreign-royals-at-funeral-for-king-harald-v-of-norway))
Haakon followed immediately behind his father’s coffin with his eldest child, Crown Princess Ingrid Alexandra, now heir to the throne, his son Prince Sverre Magnus and his sister Princess Märtha Louise. Queen Sonja and Queen Mette-Marit travelled behind the procession by car. ([kongehuset.no](https://www.kongehuset.no/nyheter/kong-harald-v-stedt-til-hvile))
A 21-gun salute marked the start of the procession, while thousands of people lined the streets of Oslo to pay their respects. A minute’s silence was observed across Norway as the funeral service began. ([kongehuset.no](https://www.kongehuset.no/for-pressen/information-in-english/the-funeral-of-king-harald-v-en))
The service was attended by royals and political leaders from around the world, including King Felipe and Queen Letizia of Spain, King Frederik and Queen Mary of Denmark, King Carl XVI Gustaf and Queen Silvia of Sweden, Crown Prince Akishino of Japan and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
Harald’s coffin was later taken to Akershus Fortress, where a private family ceremony was held before it was lowered into the crypt of the Palace Chapel. His sarcophagus will stand alongside those of King Olav, Crown Princess Märtha, King Haakon VII and Queen Maud. ([kongehuset.no](https://www.kongehuset.no/for-pressen/information-in-english/the-funeral-of-king-harald-v-en))
Queen Mette-Marit, who underwent a lung transplant in June, missed Haakon’s swearing-in ceremony because of complications following the operation. She later joined the funeral proceedings and laid a rose on her father-in-law’s coffin. ([news.sky.com](https://news.sky.com/story/prince-of-wales-joins-mourners-at-funeral-of-norways-king-harald-13583528))
The situation has drawn comparisons with William’s support for Catherine, Princess of Wales, after she temporarily stepped back from public duties during her cancer treatment. She announced in January 2025 that she was in remission.
King Charles did not attend the funeral, in keeping with the convention that a reigning British sovereign does not traditionally attend the funeral of another head of state. In a tribute following Harald’s death, he described him as his “dear cousin” and “much-loved kinsman and friend”.
