Story perspectives

King Haakon Leads Harald V Funeral in Oslo

9/9/2026

Summary

Story summary

King Haakon VIII led the funeral for father King Harald V, on September 9, 2026.
A 21-gun salute marked the red-standard-draped coffin’s departure from the Royal Palace to Oslo Cathedral on an artillery carriage.
Prince William attended as the United Kingdom’s representative, joined by Princess Anne and other European monarchs and President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
More than 46,000 queued for the lying-in-state, resulting in Harald V’s burial in Akershus Fortress’s royal mausoleum.

History

Historical Context

The 1952 state funeral of King George VI on 15 February 1952 featured a 56-gun salute, a naval-hauled gun carriage and a procession that included foreign monarchs such as the kings of Denmark, Greece and Sweden. That tradition of attendance and naval gun-carriage crews was revived for Norway’s 2026 ceremony honoring King Haakon VIII, attended by Prince William, Princess Anne and President Zelenskyy, underscoring royal funerals as diplomatic stages.

1 of 2

Story summary

King Haakon VIII led the funeral for father King Harald V, on September 9, 2026.
A 21-gun salute marked the red-standard-draped coffin’s departure from the Royal Palace to Oslo Cathedral on an artillery carriage.
Prince William attended as the United Kingdom’s representative, joined by Princess Anne and other European monarchs and President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
More than 46,000 queued for the lying-in-state, resulting in Harald V’s burial in Akershus Fortress’s royal mausoleum.

1 / 2