Crown Prince Haakon and Crown Princess Mette-Marit of Norway have attended a memorial service for the late South African activist Archbishop Desmond Tutu in Oslo Cathedral.
The Crown Prince Couple and Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre attended the service on Sunday, 9 January, to honour the life and work of Tutu, who died on 26 December 2021 at the age of 90.
The service included performances by students at Rønningen Folk High School and a sermon by Trond Bakkevig. Afterwards, the congregation sung the South African national anthem before a prayer and candle lighting. The songs “We Shall Overcome” and “Beautiful Saviour” were also performed at the end of the service.
After Tutu’s passing, King Harald released a condolence message, saying: “It is with sadness that we have received the message that Archbishop Desmond Mpilo Tutu has passed away. He was an important figure in the fight against apartheid in South Africa. Our thoughts go to the South African people who have lost an important voice for justice and to those closest to them who have lost a husband, father and grandfather.”
Desmond Tutu was a human rights activist who fought against the apartheid in South Africa. He was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1984 with King Olav and the Norwegian Royal Family in attendance. It is a common misconception that the King of Norway presents the prize; however, it is handed out by the Chairman of the Norwegian Nobel Committee in the presence of the monarch.
