Norway bids farewell to King Harald V in state funeral
Thousands line the streets of Oslo as heads of state and global royals gather for the funeral of King Harald V.
Quick Look
A 21-gun salute rang out in Oslo as the coffin of Norway's King Harald V left the royal palace for his state funeral, concluding 13 days of national mourning.
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Why It Matters
Norway observes 13 days of national mourning following the death of King Harald V at age 89.
A 21-gun salute rang out over Oslo on Wednesday afternoon as the coffin of Norway's King Harald V left the royal palace for the city's Lutheran cathedral.
Thousands of people lined the streets to say goodbye to the king.
The procession and funeral will bring an end to 13 days of national mourning following the death of the well-liked and down-to-earth monarch at the age of 89.
Who is attending the funeral?
The funeral is being attended by heads of state and government from all over the world. This includes the UK's Prince William and Princess Anne, Japan's Crown Prince Fumihito and his wife Princess Kiko, Spain's King Felipe and Queen Letizia, as well as fellow Scandinavian royals from Denmark and Sweden.
Other leaders such as Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Germany's President Frank-Walter Steinmeier are also attending.
Harald's son King Haakon VIII will be there alongside his mother Queen Sonja and his wife, Queen Mette-Marit.
Controversially, Mette-Marit's son from a previous relationship is also expected to be at the funeral.
Marius Borg Hoiby's participation in an earlier part of the official mourning drew an outcry in Norway, as he was recently convicted of rape and domestic violence and is under house arrest.
Open Questions
- Who will permanently attend future state functions?
