The royal palace announced this Sunday that the State funeral of King Harald of Norway, who passed away on August 28, will be held on Wednesday, September 9 at Oslo Cathedral. Representatives of Norwegian institutions and members of European royal houses will attend the ceremony, and after the funeral, the remains of the former Norwegian monarch will be buried in the royal pantheon of Akershus Fortress, where his parents, Olav and Marta, and his grandparents, Haakon and Maud, already rest.
Read more A Sant Fèlix for the history: the Verds unload the first 9-story pillar
The ceremony will take place at 1 p.m., and at least an hour before, the funeral procession will depart from the royal palace to travel along Oslo’s main street to the cathedral. The funeral mass will be officiated by the presiding bishop of the Church of Norway, Olav Fykse Tveit, and will also include the bishop of Oslo, Sunniva Gylver, and other pastors of the Lutheran church.
The coffin with King Harald’s remains has remained in the red hall of the royal palace since last Friday afternoon when it was transferred from the hospital where he died early that morning. During these days, the closest family members have kept vigil over King Harald, but this Monday it will be moved to the palace chapel. From Tuesday until the 8th, the day before the funeral, citizens will be able to access the palace to say goodbye to their former king.
Read more Claudia Pina leads Barça’s first league win
This Monday, the coffin with King Harald’s remains will be moved through the Yellow Hall, the Hall of Mirrors, the Daily Dining Room, the Small Banquet Hall, and the Great Banquet Hall, accompanied by his two children, Marta Luisa and Haakon, and his five grandchildren, Princes Ingrid Alexandra and Sverre Magnus, and Maud Angelica, Leah Isadora, and Emma Tallulah Behn. Queen Matte-Marit and Queen Sonia will also participate in the procession, led by King Harald’s Chief of Staff, who is responsible for carrying the royal crown on a cushion. Other senior royal palace officials will carry the Norwegian, Danish, Swedish, and British decorations, as well as the Spanish Order of the Golden Fleece, awarded by King Juan Carlos to his counterpart Harald in 1995. Once in the chapel, the coffin will be placed on a catafalque covered by a velvet mantle, and floral wreaths will be arranged.
Before opening the chapel of rest to the public, a private religious service will be held attended by King Harald’s family, court officials, and his service staff.
Read more Mas’s shout: first victory since 2022 and more leader
