The ladies of the Norwegian Royal Family wore special gifts from the late King Harald at his funeral this afternoon in Oslo: the Royal Family Order of King Harald V.
Queen Sonja, Queen Mette-Marit, Crown Princess Ingrid Alexandra, Princess Märtha Louise, and Princess Astrid were all wearing their Royal Family Orders, a personal gift that is bestowed by the monarch to the women in their family.
The Royal Family Order of King Harald V features a portrait of the late king at the time of his accession framed by diamonds and set on a red ribbon framed with blue and white stripes.
A Royal Family Order is common amongst the monarchies of Europe as a way to bestow honours upon the female members of the royal family, who traditionally did not receive military honours like the male members. It is, in most cases, given at the monarch’s discretion for personal service.
Royal women are known to wear all orders they have received, like Princess Astrid, who wears the Royal Family Orders of King Haakon VI, King Olav V, and King Harald V.
Princess Ragnhild, King Harald’s late sister, had also received the Royal Family Order of her brother before her death in 2012.
King Harald, who died at the age of 89 on 28 August, will be buried later today after funeral ceremonies at Oslo Cathedral and a smaller funeral at Akershus Castle Church for the royal family, royal guests, and members of the Norwegian government, judicial system, and the Presidents of Finland and Iceland.
