Since the announcement of King Harald’s death on August 28, Norway has hosted a multitude of farewell events in honor of the monarch. This sequence of events comes to an end today with the state funeral to be held at Oslo Cathedral and that will feature representation from numerous royal houses, heads of state or official representatives of the country itself. Among the names confirmed to attend are, among others, the princes of Monaco, representatives of the Scandinavian royal families, or the kings of Spain.
For the occasion, the largest security operation to date has been launched, with 6,500 police officers and soldiers along the stretch from the Royal Palace, where the coffin is located, to the Akershus Fortress, where he will be buried. The nation, which commemorates the memory of the deceased with images of him in the streets and flags at half-mast, will be able to follow the funeral from giant screens that will be installed for the occasion.
These are just some of the details that will mark September 9, 2026 in Oslo, but they are not all that surround the funeral. And if there is one thing about the farewell of the Norwegian monarch, it is a rich backstory behind it, the one it brings inherited and the one of this occasion. To stay on top of everything and understand what lies behind such a gathering, these are the five details worth knowing about the Harald of Norway’s funeral and that you should keep on your radar:
Why the funeral has such a particular protocol
As you may have deduced from what we have told you, the funeral of the King of Norway features a highly detailed protocol. This institutional plan is known as ‘Operation K’ (konge means king in Norwegian), and it contemplates everything from the coffin’s route to how long national mourning should last.
This protocol originated after the death of Olav V in 1991 and is implemented by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Over the years it has been refined and adapted to the particularities of each era, although it is true that it was not until August 28 that the plan was reactivated.
Why King Charles III will not attend the funeral
With so much presence of institutional royal houses, it would be logical to think that Charles III, King of the United Kingdom, is also on the guest list, being the second cousin of the deceased. However, it will be his son, Prince William, who will attend on behalf of the British Crown. Why? Well, once again, due to a protocol rule.
Common in the United Kingdom is that the king does not attend the funerals of other heads of state and that the heir takes on this role. This is how Prince William did at the funeral of Pope Francis and he will repeat it on this occasion. Nevertheless, Charles III has not wanted to miss the opportunity to bid farewell to his “dear cousin” with an official message.
Who is the godmother of King Haakon VIII
Since the death of his father, Haakon of Norway has served as monarch of the nation. Accompanying his mourning at the funeral will be one of his godmothers, who is also connected to the previous point. And indeed, one of those entrusted with this role is Princess Anne of the United Kingdom, sister of Charles III and second cousin of the deceased. She will also be present at this occasion.
However, another one of his godmothers, Queen Margrethe II of Denmark, has had to decline the invitation due to health reasons. Among Haakon’s godparents we also find Princess Astrid of Norway, his grandfather Olav V, King Carl XVI Gustaf of Sweden and Prince Carl Bernadotte.
Why there will be no coronation of Haakon VIII
The coronation ceremony is part of the usual tradition in monarchies when the king changes, but not in Norway. The country abolished this act in its Constitution in 1908, and left a vow and a religious act by the future monarch. Haakon, for his part, has already sworn as king before the Parliament and has presided over his first official acts since the death of his father.
Where Harald V of Norway will be buried
King Harald will be buried in the royal funeral chapel of the Akershus Fortress, in Oslo, where his parents, King Olav and Queen Märtha, and his grandparents, the kings Haakon VII and Maud, already rest. This medieval fortress is located by the sea, in a privileged setting that receives a large number of tourists each year. Harald and his wife, Queen Sonja, began preparing their eternal rest a few years ago, choosing their own sarcophagi in which to lie together and put a gold brooch on their romantic and unconventional love story.
