Norway Bids Final Farewell to Popular King Harald V as Global Leaders and Royals Converge

Norway Bids Final Farewell to Popular King Harald V as Global Leaders and Royals Converge

Norway bade its final farewell to Harald V on Wednesday as massive crowds lined the streets and foreign royals and leaders converged on Oslo for the funeral of the long-serving king, who was widely remembered as a popular monarch with a down-to-earth touch. — OSLO, Norway, Sept. 9, 2026

According to details made available to Shemnews, a 21-gun salute rang out over the Norwegian capital at the start of a solemn funeral procession from the royal palace to Oslo Cathedral. Harald’s son, the newly ascended King Haakon VIII, alongside other senior royals, walked behind the coffin, which was draped in the red Norwegian royal standard. They were followed by Harald’s widow, Queen Sonja, and Haakon’s wife, Queen Mette-Marit.

The 89-year-old monarch, who passed away on August 28 after a 35-year reign, was Europe’s oldest monarch. Known for modernizing the royal house while refusing to follow the recent trend of aging monarchs abdicating, his passing brought the nation to a standstill. As the funeral service began, Norway observed a nationwide minute of silence in his honor.

Key details of the historic state funeral include:

* Global Dignitaries in Attendance: The procession was joined by an array of foreign dignitaries and monarchs from Sweden, Denmark, Spain, the Netherlands, Belgium, Luxembourg, Monaco, and Jordan. Other notable attendees included Britain's Prince William, Japan’s Crown Prince Akishino, and political leaders from more than 20 countries, including Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.

* A "Rubber Boots" Legacy: During the service, the speaker of Norway’s parliament, Masud Gharahkhani, eulogized Harald as a king who was close to the people, noting that he wasn't afraid to meet citizens "in his rubber boots." Gharahkhani recalled the late king's 2008 New Year's address, emphasizing his motto and lifelong dedication to giving his all for Norway.

* Public Outpouring of Grief: Downtown Oslo was closed to vehicles as massive crowds stood behind barriers along streets lined with national flags. In the days leading up to the funeral, over 46,000 people visited the royal palace chapel, with queues stretching up to seven hours. Across the nation, public spaces such as churches, libraries, and city halls set up large screens for citizens to watch the broadcast.

* Final Resting Place: Following the cathedral service, Harald’s coffin was taken in a procession to the palace chapel at Akershus Castle. After a private ceremony, the late king was to be lowered into the crypt alongside his ancestors.

While the Norwegian monarchy—tracing its origins to King Harald Fairhair in the ninth century—holds largely symbolic power today, the royal family continues to play a vital role in promoting the wealthy Scandinavian nation on the world stage.

By ShemNews| Shemnews