Kings, queens, princes and princesses have come together in Oslo for the funeral of King Harald V of Norway.
Led by Harald’s son and successor, Haakon VIII, royalty from around the world paid tribute to the man who ruled Norway for 35 years.
Tens of thousands of people lined the streets on the day of the funeral to watch the solemn procession from the Royal Palace to Oslo Cathedral where the funeral took place.
King Harald’s coffin was born on an open bier through the streets of Oslo with King Haakon waling behind with his children, Crown Princess Ingrid Alexandra, and Prince Sverre Magnus. Also leading mourners in the procession was Harald V’s daughter, Princess Martha Louise.
On arrival at Oslo Cathedral, King Haakon greeted his mother, Queen Sonja, who had been driven to the church.
King Harald’s coffin was then carried into the church where it was placed on a bier between royalty from around the world.
The service was led by Bishop Olav Fykse Tveit along with Sunniva Gylver, Bishop of Oslo Diocese. Crown Princess Victoria, goddaughter of King Harald, read a prayer.
Among the music chosen for the service was a moving rendition of Abide With Me, sung in English, and a choral version of a hymn written almost twenty years ago for King Harald and Queen Sonja when they both turned seventy. Another of the hymns chosen was ‘I know of a fortress in Heaven” which is often sung at funerals in Norway and which is based on a traditional Norwegian folk melody.
The congregation also listened to the prayer of St. Francis of Assisi – Make me an instrument of your peace. It was read before the final prayer of commendation and said in Swedish – King Harald’s mother, Martha, was a Princess of Sweden.
There was also a sad farewell from King Harald’s wife, Queen Sonja, who walked forward during the service and laid a lone red rose on the coffin of her husband.
At the end of the service, King Harald’s coffin was carried out of the cathedral and taken on an open carriage to Akerhus fortress for burial. King Haakon VIII, accompanied by King Frederik X of Denmark and King Carl XVI Gustaf of Sweden.
A private service of committal and burial was held at Akerhus. Later, King Haakon VIII and Queen Mette-Marit led the Norwegian royal family on to the balconv of the palace to greet the huge crowds who had come to pay their respects.
Inside, a reception was held for the royal guests and dignitaries. The entire Swedish royal family attended alongside Frederik and Mary of Denmark who walked into the gathering with the Prince of Wales and Princess Anne.
Crown Princess Ingrid Alexandra thanked Prince William and the Princess Royal profusely for their words as they greeted her, appearing to call after them as they left to offer more thanks. There was a poignant moment, too, when Princess Beatrix of the Netherlands greeted her long time friend, Queen Sonja, with the two close to tears as they exchanged a few words.
King Harald died on August 28 at the age of 89 after a short illness. His reign had begun in January 1991 and he remained a hugely popular figure throughout.
