King Haakon led the Norwegian Royal Family at a special church service in honour of the late King Harald, who passed away at age 89 on Friday morning.
Accompanied by his daughter and heir, Crown Princess Ingrid Alexandra; his son, Prince Sverre Magnus, and his mother, Queen Sonja, King Haakon joined officials at Asker Church for the service.
The Norwegian Royal Court shared that church services would take place across the country on Sunday in tribute to the late King Harald; while mourners lined up outside Asker Church where the Royal Family attended their service.
Queen Mette-Marit was not in attendance, as she is still recovering from her lung transplant earlier this summer.
The Royal Court revealed: “As previously announced, Her Majesty Queen Mette-Marit is recovering from her lung transplant in June and has limited opportunity to participate in official events. She will therefore not be present at Asker Church tomorrow. The Queen will nevertheless be present at certain other events in connection with the passing of King Harald.”
Despite not appearing at public events, Queen Mette-Marit was photographed attending the service as King Harald’s coffin was transported back to the Royal Palace from the university hospital on Friday evening.
She was also seen with her youngest son, Prince Sverre Magnus, admiring the flowers left outside their residence at Skaugum.
A date for King Harald’s funeral has not been announced, though the government has indicated to Norwegian media that it will take place during ‘Week 37’ or the week of 8-14 September.
King Harald peacefully passed away Friday, 28 August following hospitalisation due to a bloodstream infection. King Haakon VIII immediately ascended to the throne, and delivered his first address to the Norwegian people on Saturday evening.
