King Harald of Norway will receive his state funeral on Wednesday, September 9, inside Oslo Cathedral. It is expected to be the largest gathering of royalty since the funeral of Pope Francis in April 2024 and King Charles III’s coronation in May 2023. One of the royals who will not miss the solemn event will be Mary of Denmark. The wife of King Frederik was moved when recalling how the late Norwegian monarch helped her when she was a newcomer at court more than twenty years ago.
«King Harald was a charming person», declared Mary to the Danish magazine Billed-Bladet. «It was always a genuine pleasure to be in his company. I understand why he was known as ‘the grandfather of all Norway’, because he always cared about his compatriots. I, personally, experienced his great affection and consideration in my first encounter with him, when I was completely new in my role as heiress. We will miss him».
Mary, born in Australia, became Crown Princess of Denmark in 2004 upon marrying the now King Frederik, who at that time was the heir to the throne. Previously, their love story had begun in a Sydney pub during the 2000 Olympic Games. The couple ascended to the throne in January 2024, when her mother, Queen Margrethe II, cousin of King Harald, abdicated after a long reign of 52 years.
Denmark and Norway, together with neighboring Sweden, have historically maintained a very close bond due to the Kalmar Union, under which the three realms were united under a single monarch from 1397 to 1523. A bond that also applies to the respective members of their royal houses. That is why Queen Mary has also wanted to send a message of encouragement to the new kings of Norway at a time of great difficulty.
Mary’s words to Mette-Marit
Those old ties between the Nordic nations endure to this day, and the members of the royal houses of the three countries are not only related through previous royal marriages, but they are co-workers and close friends. In fact, for their first state visit as Kings of Denmark, Frederik and Mary chose Norway in May 2024. The two maintain a close relationship with the newly established Norwegian royal couple Haakon VIII and Mette-Marit.
Mette-Marit of Norway, together with Mary of Denmark.
The Norwegian and Danish queens had to leave their ordinary life as commoners to the demanding spotlight of European royalty. This shared experience turned them into confidants and companions who truly understand the pressures of their royal duties. That is why Mary wanted to send them a message of support at this moment of sorrow after the death of King Harald and during a turbulent period at the Norwegian court.
«The Norwegian royal couple knows that our thoughts are with them at a time of great change. They know they have all our support and backing,» the Australian said. Days earlier, King Frederik also paid tribute to Harald saying: «I remember my uncle as someone endearing. He was a warm and funny person who always knew what to say. I have full confidence in King Haakon. He needs time to cement himself in his new role as king, and I look forward to helping him in any way I can».
Mette-Marit, in difficult times
The Norwegian queen has not started off well on the throne. According to a recent and devastating poll, 37.8% of her subjects believe she is not capable of performing that role. Moreover, she was forced to miss her husband’s historic oath ceremony last Tuesday due to complications after her recent lung transplant. Previously, Mette-Marit had played a prominent role in the acts following the death of her father-in-law, despite doctors having told her she would need a year away from her official duties to fully recover.
On Monday, Queen Mette-Marit joined the cortege formed by the king Harald’s children and grandchildren as they carried his coffin through the Royal Palace. In the midst of a great controversy, her son Marius Borg was included in the procession despite having been convicted to four years in prison for rape and assault. His lawyers have appealed the sentence. The 29-year-old was granted a special police permit to be there and also another to leave house arrest in order to attend his grandfather’s funeral next Wednesday.
