Prince William and Princess Anne to Attend Funeral of King Harald V of Norway
Quick Look
- Prince William will represent King Charles at the funeral of King Harald V of Norway in Oslo on Wednesday, while Princess Anne will attend in a personal capacity as godmother to the new monarch, King Haakon VIII.
- King Harald, who reigned for 35 years, died last month at age 89.
- Large crowds are expected for the funeral procession and service at Oslo Cathedral, followed by private burial at Akershus Fortress.
AI-generated summary
Why It Matters
King Harald V died last month at the age of 89 after a 35-year reign. He was widely regarded as a popular and modernising monarch. His funeral follows royal protocol where the British monarch does not typically attend funerals of other heads of state, so Prince William attends in representation of King Charles.
The Prince of Wales will attend the funeral of King Harald V of Norway on Wednesday in Oslo, Buckingham Palace has announced.
Also going to the funeral, in a personal capacity, is Princess Anne, who is godmother to Norway's new monarch, King Haakon VIII.
The late King Harald, a popular, modernising figure who had been on the Norwegian throne for 35 years, died last month at the age of 89.
Royal sources say Prince William's attendance, representing his father King Charles, follows the convention that the monarch does not usually go to the funeral of another head of state.
Large crowds are expected for the farewell to King Harald on 9 September, with a funeral procession to be followed by a service at Oslo Cathedral.
Thousands have queued to pay their respects to the late king, during his lying in state in the chapel of the Royal Palace in the Norwegian capital.
At the funeral, alongside Prince William, will be the widowed Queen Sonja, members of the Norwegian royal family including new King Haakon VIII, and other European royals.
The service will be followed by a private burial in Norway's royal mausoleum in the Akershus Fortress.
What to Watch
AI outlook — possibilities, not facts
The funeral will proceed as planned with large public attendance.
Very likely · Within days
Private burial will occur at Akershus Fortress following the public service.
Certain · Within days
Open Questions
- What specific duties will Prince William perform during the funeral?
- Will King Charles make any public statement regarding the funeral?
- Are there any security concerns related to the large expected crowds?
