Norway is set to hold the funeral of King Harald V on Wednesday, with members of European royal families, political leaders and other dignitaries expected to gather in Oslo to honour the late monarch.
Harald died on August 28 at the age of 89 after 35 years on the Norwegian throne.
He was Europe’s oldest reigning monarch at the time of his death and was widely credited with helping to modernise the Norwegian royal institution.
Unlike several other ageing monarchs in Europe, Harald chose not to abdicate. His son, Haakon, immediately succeeded him as King Haakon VIII and last week swore an oath of allegiance to Norway’s constitution before parliament.
The funeral procession will begin at the Royal Palace, where Harald’s coffin will be transported to Oslo Cathedral.
King Haakon, senior members of the Norwegian royal family, foreign dignitaries, parliament representatives and other officials will take part in the procession.
Thousands of Norwegians have already paid their respects to the former king. More than 46,000 people visited the chapel at the Royal Palace where his coffin lay in state, while the waiting line reportedly stretched for seven hours at one point during the weekend.
Authorities are expecting large crowds in Oslo for the funeral.
Parts of the city centre will be closed to vehicles and electric scooters, while police have advised members of the public against bringing bicycles, umbrellas or sharp objects.
Large screens have also been installed to allow people to follow the ceremony.
Among the foreign dignitaries expected are the monarchs of Sweden, Denmark, Spain, the Netherlands, Belgium and Jordan. Britain’s heir to the throne, Prince William, is also expected to attend, alongside Crown Prince Akishino of Japan and presidents from several European nations.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is also due to attend. He was in Oslo on Tuesday, where he held discussions with Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre on the war in Ukraine.
The United States will be represented by Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs Allison Hooker.
A minute of silence will be observed across Norway when the funeral begins. Norway’s parliament speaker and prime minister are scheduled to deliver eulogies, while representatives of different faiths will participate in a candlelighting ceremony.
Following the service, Harald’s coffin will be taken to the chapel at Akershus Castle, where members of Norway’s royal family are buried.
A private ceremony will then be held for the Norwegian royals, joined by some foreign guests and senior officials, before the king is laid to rest in the crypt.
Norway’s monarchy dates back to the ninth century and the reign of King Harald Fairhair.
The institution was restored after Norway gained independence from Sweden in 1905, when about three-quarters of voters backed the monarchy in a national plebiscite.
Although the monarchy now has largely ceremonial responsibilities, with political authority resting with the elected government and parliament, the royal family continues to play a prominent role in representing Norway internationally.
