Prince William to attend King Harald's funeral in Norway

Prince William will represent King Charles at the funeral of King Harald V of Norway in Oslo on Wednesday, an announcement from Buckingham Palace confirmed. Princess Anne will also attend in a personal capacity; she is godmother to Norway’s current monarch, King Haakon VIII. King Harald, who modernised the Norwegian monarchy during his 35‑year reign, died at the age of 89. Royal sources noted that the Prince of Wales’s presence follows the longstanding practice that a reigning monarch does not usually attend the funeral of another head of state. Authorities anticipate large crowds on 9 September for the farewell ceremony, which will include a procession to Oslo Cathedral followed by a service. Thousands have already filed past the king’s lying‑in‑state in the chapel of the Royal Palace in Oslo to pay their respects. At the funeral, Prince William will be joined by Queen Sonja, members of the Norwegian royal family—including King Haakon VIII—and other European royals. After the service, a private burial will take place in the royal mausoleum at Akershus Fortress.