Royal Mourning in Oslo: King Harald V’s Funeral Draws European Dignitaries

Thu Sep 10 2026 10:27:25 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time)

Norwegian King Harald V, 89, was laid to rest in Oslo; pan‑European royalty and heads of state attended the ceremonial funeral.

On 9 September 2026, King Harald V of Norway was buried in Oslo after a 13‑day national mourning. The procession from the Royal Palace to Oslo Cathedral drew thousands, with dignitaries from Britain, Sweden, Denmark, Jordan, Monaco and Spain. The royal family, including new King Haakon, Queen Mette‑Marit, Crown Princess Ingrid Alexandra and Prince Sverre Magnus, greeted crowds from the palace balcony, while Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre delivered a eulogy. The ceremony also highlighted personal controversies, such as Mette‑Marit’s past contact with Jeffrey Epstein and her son Høiby’s 2024 imprisonment for rape. The event closed with a chapel burial at Akershus Fortress and a flying “missing man” formation by F‑35 jets.

12 September 2026, Oslo – The Norwegian Royal Family and international dignitaries gathered in the streets of Oslo’s Royal Palace for the funeral of King Harald V, who died on 28 August at age 89.

Thousands of citizens lined the pro‑marche route, watching the solemn procession from the Royal Palace to Oslo Cathedral, where the king’s coffin was carried to rest. During the service, Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre spoke of Harald’s blend of “stately” dignity and “down‑to‑earth” character, while Queen Sonja laid a red rose upon the casket. The world’s monarchs, including Prince William, the Prince of Wales, and the kings of Sweden, Denmark and Norway, stood alongside the Norwegian delegation, exchanging bouquets and words of remembrance.

After the cathedral ceremony, the family retired to Akershus Fortress’ Palace Chapel, where a private burial took place alongside his father King Olav V, mother Crown Princess Märtha and earlier monarchs. Flags across Oslo were raised to full mast for the final moments, and the royal family appeared on the palace balcony to wave to the crowds that had gathered nearby.

Although the funeral was marked by peace, it also highlighted personal controversies surrounding the royal family’s past year, including Mette‑Marit’s noted contact with Jeffrey Epstein and her son Høby’s conviction for rape. The ceremony concluded with a “missing man” formation flown by four F‑35 jets, symbolising the nation’s farewell to a beloved monarch.