The Prince of Wales will represent his father, King Charles, at the funeral of Norway's King Harald V next week, Buckingham Palace has announced. William, the heir to the throne, will be joined by his aunt, the Princess Royal, who is attending in a private and personal capacity as godmother of the new king, Haakon VIII.
Funeral Details and Royal Attendance
The funeral will take place on 9 September at Oslo Cathedral, with mourners including Harald's widow, Sonja, now the queen mother. The service follows an outpouring of grief in Norway for the late monarch, who died on 28 August at the age of 89.
In keeping with precedent that the sovereign does not attend funerals of other heads of state, the duty falls to William, a future king, to represent his father and pay his respects at the service. This is not the first time William has undertaken such a role; in April last year, he represented his father at the funeral of Pope Francis in the Vatican.
King Harald's Legacy and Royal Connections
Harald, who was known for his warmth, humour and informal style, has been hailed as an inclusive “people’s king” who modernised the Norwegian monarchy during his 35-year reign. Charles paid a touching tribute to his “dear cousin” and “much-loved kinsman and friend” after the news of Harald’s death was announced.
In a message of condolence, Charles praised Harald’s “unwavering dedication” and his “kindness, compassion and deep sense of duty echoed from across the sea and across the decades”. The late Queen Elizabeth II and King Harald were second cousins, sharing the same great-grandparents, King Edward VII and Queen Alexandra.
William and Kate's Previous Visit to Norway
William and the now Princess of Wales carried out an official tour to Norway in 2018, dining with King Harald and Queen Sonja at the Royal Palace, where Harald described them as “family” and praised their support of the then Queen. The Norwegian sovereign processed into the banquet arm in arm with the pregnant Catherine, who was expecting Prince Louis and wearing a flowing Alexander McQueen gown, with the gesture mirrored by Sonja and William who walked behind them.
William and Kate also spent time visiting the ski slopes with the then Crown Prince Haakon and Crown Princess Mette-Marit, now the King and Queen. The royal family members, including Queen Sonja and King Haakon VIII, laid flowers in Oslo’s Palace Square on 31 August, three days after Harald’s death, as Norway continues to mourn its much-loved monarch.
