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NorwayPrince Philip

King Harald and Queen Sonja cancel attendance at Prince Philip’s memorial service

The Norwegian Royal Court has confirmed that the King and Queen of Norway will no longer be able to attend the memorial service for Prince Philip at Westminster Abbey. King Harald remainns sick leave after being diagnosed with coronavirus last week.

The Norwegian Royal Court made no further comment and it is not known when King Harald will be back at work.

King Harald tested positive for Covid on March 22nd 2022. The king was said to have mild symptoms, and the announcement said he would be on sick leave for ”the next few days”. The Crown Prince Regent is taking on the King’s constitutional duties while the King is on sick-leave.

The memorial service for Prince Philip will take place on March 29th 2022. Royalty from across Europe will join The Queen and her Royal Family for the service.

When the death of Prince Philip was announced King Harald issued the following statement: “The royal family has received with great sorrow the message that His Royal Highness the Duke of Edinburgh has passed away. Our thoughts go to Queen Elizabeth and the immediate family at the passing of Prince Philips. Our condolences also go to the British people”.

King Harald then decided that in connection with the death, the Norwegian royal flag was to be flown at half mast from the Palace Balcony on the day of Prince Philip’s death and on the day of his funeral. King Harald and Queen Elizabeth II are second cousins.

Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh died on April 9th 2021 at the age of 99. His funeral took place at St. George’s Chapel, Windsor on April 17th 2021.

About author

Senior Europe Correspondent Oskar Aanmoen has a master in military and political history of the Nordic countries. He has written six books on historical subjects and more than 1.500 articles for Royal Central. He has also interview both Serbian and Norwegian royals. Aanmoen is based in Oslo, Norway.