The funeral service for King Harald V of Norway will take place at Oslo Cathedral on Wednesday, September 9, following his death on Friday at age 89.
The Royal Palace announced in a statement that the ceremony will begin at 1:00 p.m. local time (11:00 a.m. GMT) at the historic cathedral in Oslo, the capital of Norway.
Before the funeral service, the monarch's coffin will be moved on Monday afternoon to the chapel at the Royal Palace. Members of the public will be permitted to pay their respects starting Tuesday afternoon and continuing through the eve of the funeral, palace officials said.
Commemorative ceremonies were organized across the nation on Sunday in honor of the late king, who was widely popular throughout Norway. Thousands of mourners gathered outside the Royal Palace in central Oslo, laying flowers, leaving handwritten notes, and lighting candles in tribute.
Speech by King Haakon VIII
Norway's new monarch, King Haakon VIII, paid tribute to his father on Sunday following the king's passing. Speaking in his first public address broadcast on national television on Saturday, Haakon said his father was above all a person who remained true to his values and devoted to his royal duties.
The new sovereign added that he was deeply moved by the sight of citizens gathering outside the palace, as well as the outpouring of candles, messages, and flowers covering Palace Square.
As a constitutional monarchy in Scandinavia, Norway maintains a ceremonial royal house. Oslo Cathedral, constructed in the 17th century, serves as the primary location for national state events, royal ceremonies, and public commemorations.
Accession of the New Sovereign
King Haakon VIII is scheduled to formally swear an oath of allegiance to the Norwegian Constitution on Tuesday. He will not undergo a coronation ceremony, as the traditional crowning practice was formally abolished in Norway in 1908.
However, the new king may choose to have his reign blessed during a consecration ceremony at Trondheim Cathedral. Both his father and grandfather chose to receive a formal royal blessing at the venue after ascending the throne.
Trondheim Cathedral, located in central Norway, served as the traditional coronation site for Norwegian kings between 1814 and 1906, holding historic religious significance for the monarchy.
Three Decades on the Throne
King Harald V ascended the throne in 1991 and led the nation for 35 years. Over the course of his reign, he came to be regarded across the country as the embodiment of an open, modern, and tolerant Norway.
The late king had been hospitalized since August 17 suffering from hemolytic anemia, a blood condition caused by the abnormally rapid destruction of red blood cells. Health complications in recent years had forced him to reduce his official duties.
Despite recurring illness, Harald consistently ruled out abdicating the throne. He repeatedly stated that he had taken a lifelong oath of service before the Norwegian parliament, known as the Storting.
Royal Family Scandals and Challenges
King Harald maintained strong personal popularity until his death, even as the royal household faced an unprecedented period of difficulty and controversy toward the end of his 35-year reign.
Queen Sonja, who is also 89 years old, was briefly hospitalized in May after experiencing heart issues.
At the same time, the royal family has faced intense public scrutiny surrounding Crown Princess Mette-Marit. She has come under widespread criticism for her past connections to the late American convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, while her son was recently convicted of rape.
