Norway mourns King Harald V at state funeral with international dignitaries
Norway held a state funeral for King Harald V, who died on August 28 at age 89, with a nationwide minute of silence. His son King Haakon VIII, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, and Britain's Prince William were among those attending. The funeral procession carried the casket through Oslo's streets as thousands of mourners paid their respects.
The casket, wrapped in the royal red standard and topped with white flowers, was moved on an artillery carriage down Oslo's main avenue, with dignitaries following on foot and crowds watching. The procession began at the royal palace before reaching the Lutheran cathedral.
The service included a moment of silence observed nationwide. One attendee remarked that Harald had been monarch for most of his life, while his final years were shadowed by scandals.
The funeral's broad turnout may reinforce the monarchy's unifying role, even as recent scandals linger. The attendance of Zelensky and Prince William could underscore diplomatic ties. King Haakon VIII's succession may prompt a gradual reassessment of royal traditions, as Norwegians adjust to a new reign while honoring a long-standing figure.