Prince William will represent King Charles at the funeral of Norway’s King Harald V in Oslo on Wednesday, September 9.
The Prince of Wales will attend the service at Oslo Cathedral alongside his aunt, Princess Anne. Anne will attend in a private capacity as the godmother of Norway’s new monarch, King Haakon VIII.
King Harald died on August 28 at the age of 89, ending a 35-year reign. His death prompted an outpouring of grief across Norway, where people widely admired his warm personality and informal approach to royal duties.
Harald became known as a “people’s king” during his reign. He helped modernise the Norwegian monarchy while maintaining a close relationship with the public.
William’s attendance follows royal precedent, which generally sees the reigning monarch avoid funerals for other heads of state. As heir to the throne, William will instead represent his father and the British royal family at the ceremony.
King Charles previously paid tribute to Harald following his death. He described his cousin as a “much-loved kinsman and friend” and praised his dedication to public service.
Charles also highlighted Harald’s kindness, compassion and strong sense of duty.
The two monarchs shared a family connection. Harald and the late Queen Elizabeth II were second cousins through their shared great-grandparents, King Edward VII and Queen Alexandra.
William also has a personal connection with the Norwegian royal family.
In 2018, he and Catherine, Princess of Wales, visited Norway during an official tour. They met King Harald and Queen Sonja at the Royal Palace and attended a formal dinner with the royal couple.
During the visit, Harald warmly described William and Kate as “family” and praised their support for Queen Elizabeth II.
William and Kate also spent time with the then-Crown Prince Haakon and Crown Princess Mette-Marit. Haakon has now succeeded his father as Norway’s king.
Princess Anne’s attendance will carry a particularly personal meaning. As Haakon’s godmother, she will attend the funeral privately to pay tribute to her late friend and godson’s father.
The funeral will bring together members of European royal families and other dignitaries to honour King Harald and mark the end of an important era for Norway’s monarchy.
