On Wednesday, 9 September, the world’s elite gather in Oslo to bid farewell to Norway’s king of 35 years – a commemoration of historic proportions.
A Funeral of Historic Scale
At 1:00 PM on Wednesday, 9 September, the funeral procession will make its way along Karl Johans gate. King Harald V’s coffin will be transported from the Royal Palace to Oslo Cathedral on a gun carriage, accompanied by the new King Haakon VIII, Queen Mette-Marit, Crown Princess Ingrid Alexandra, and Prince Sverre Magnus.
Over 700 high-ranking guests from around the world are expected at the ceremony in Oslo Cathedral, which can accommodate 930 people. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has invited all countries with diplomatic representation in Oslo, as well as NATO, EEA, and EU member states. 650 journalists from 19 countries have been accredited to cover the funeral.
The Norwegian Royal Family
King Harald’s widow, Queen Sonja, the new monarch King Haakon VIII and Queen Mette-Marit, as well as Crown Princess Ingrid Alexandra and Prince Sverre Magnus, will participate in the solemn ceremony. Marius Borg Høiby, Queen Mette-Marit’s son, has also been granted permission to attend from house arrest.
The Nordic Royal Families
Sweden is sending the entire royal family: King Carl Gustaf and Queen Silvia, Crown Princess Victoria and Prince Daniel, Prince Carl Philip and Princess Sofia, Princess Madeleine with her husband Christopher O’Neill, as well as the King’s sister Princess Christina with Tord Magnuson.
Denmark initially sent King Frederik, Queen Mary, Crown Prince Christian, and Princess Benedikte – but Queen Margrethe will also be in attendance.
Iceland’s President Halla Tómasdóttir will participate together with her husband Björn Skúlason.
Finland’s President Alexander Stubb and Suzanne Elizabeth Innes-Stubb are also present.
European Royal Houses
The United Kingdom: Prince William is representing King Charles III, while Princess Anne is attending in a private capacity as the godmother of Norway’s new king.
Spain: King Felipe, Queen Letizia, and the King’s mother, Queen Sofia.
The Netherlands: King Willem-Alexander, Queen Máxima, heir to the throne Princess Catharina-Amalia, and Princess Beatrix – three generations.
Belgium: King Philippe and Queen Mathilde.
Monaco: Prince Albert and Princess Charlene.
Luxembourg: Grand Duke Guillaume and Grand Duchess Stéphanie, as well as abdicated Grand Duke Henri.
Liechtenstein: Prince Alois and Princess Sophie.
Royalty from the Rest of the World
Japan: Crown Prince Akishino (Fumihito) and Crown Princess Kiko.
Jordan: King Abdullah II.
Serbia: Crown Prince Alexander and Crown Princess Katherine.
Heads of State and Presidents
A number of presidents have confirmed their attendance:
· Germany: Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier
· Poland: President Karol Nawrocki
· Czech Republic: President Petr Pavel
· Estonia: President Alar Karis
· Latvia: President Edgars Rinkevics
· Lithuania: President Gitanas Nauseda and First Lady Diana Nausedine
· Slovenia: President Nataša Pirc Musar
· Hungary: President András Baka
· Albania: President Bajram Begaj and First Lady Armanda
· Georgia: President Mikheil Kavelashvili with his wife Tamar Bagrationi
Prime Ministers and Ministers
· France: Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu
· Thailand: Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul
· Italy: Minister of Economy and Finance Giancarlo Giorgetti
· Romania: Minister of Foreign Affairs Oana Țoiu
· Tunisia: Minister of Foreign Affairs Muhamed Ali Nafti
· Ghana: Minister of Foreign Affairs Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa
Other High-Level Representatives
The Vatican is sending Cardinal Christophe Pierre and Archbishop Julio Murat.
Canada’s Governor General Louise Arbour will attend.
A wide range of ambassadors are present: the EU’s Peter van Kemseke, Iran’s Alireza Jahangiri, Vietnam’s Le Thi Thu, Kosovo’s Nita Luci, Peru’s Rolando Ruiz Rosas Cateriano, Mexico’s Omar Fayad Meneses, Iraq’s Ali Yassin Mohammed Karim, North Macedonia’s Driton Kuqi, Bosnia-Herzegovina’s Hoda Dedić, India’s Gloria Gangte, Argentina’s Claudio Giacomino, Chile’s Helmul Lagos Koller, and Israel’s Chargé d’Affaires Eytan Halon.
Those Absent
The United States: Donald Trump will not attend, despite having initially considered participating. It remains unclear who will represent the United States – possibly First Lady Melania Trump or Vice President J.D. Vance.
Russia: President Vladimir Putin is not invited. Russia has only been invited at the diplomatic level. The same applies to Sudan, Myanmar, and Afghanistan.
Several countries – including China, Sri Lanka, and a number of Russian allies – are also not represented at this funeral.
A Historic Occasion
When King Olav V was buried in 1991, representatives from 103 countries attended. This time, the number of guests is at least as large – but in a far more demanding security situation. Over 3,000 police officers have been deployed.
Following the ceremony at the cathedral, the coffin will be taken to Akershus Castle Church for a private ceremony, before King Harald is laid to rest in the crypt – where his parents and grandparents already lie.
When the coffin is lowered, church bells across all of Norway will ring for a full hour.
