TRH Crown Prince Alexander and Crown Princess Katherine attended today the state funeral of HM King Harald V of Norway, who passed away on 28 August after 35 years on the Norwegian throne.
Their Royal Highnesses travelled to Oslo to pay their final respects to the late King, a dear friend and relative of the Royal family of Serbia. The Crown Prince and Crown Princess arrived in Oslo on Tuesday 8 September and were received by representatives of the Norwegian authorities before attending a private dinner at the Royal Palace.
The funeral ceremony took place at Oslo Cathedral, following a solemn procession from the Royal Palace through the centre of the Norwegian capal. The coffin of His Majesty King Harald V was carried on a gun carriage and accompanied by members of the Norwegian Royal Family, visiting Royal Families, Heads of State and representatives of the officials of the Kingdom of Norway.
Speaking on the occasion, HRH Crown Prince Alexander said: “My wife and I came to Oslo today with great sadness, but also with deep gratitude and respect, to say our final farewell to our dear friend and cousin, His Majesty King Harald V. It was a great privilege to know him and to witness throughout the years his devotion to Norway and to the Norwegian people.
King Harald was a remarkable monarch, a man of great dignity. He dedicated his life to serving his country and was deeply respected and loved by his people. His example of duty, commitment and service will remain an important part of Norway’s history and will be remembered with great affection. May his memory be eternal, and may the legacy of his long and devoted service to Norway continue to inspire future generations.”
The funeral service began at 13:00 with a nationwide minute of silence. The service was led by Preses of the Church of Norway, His Eminence Olav Fykse Tveit, together with the Bishop of Oslo, Sunniva Gylver. Memorial addresses were delivered by the President of the Storting (National Parliament of Noway) and the Prime Minister of Norway, while representatives of different faiths and beliefs took part in a candle-lighting ceremony.
Following the funeral service, the coffin was carried in procession from Oslo Cathedral to Akershus Fortress. There, in Akershus Castle Church, a private memorial service was held in the presence of the Norwegian Royal Family, visiting Royal Families and selected representatives of official Norway. The coffin was then lowered into the crypt of the Palace Chapel, where the sarcophagi of King Haakon VII, Queen Maud, King Olav V and Crown Princess Märtha are located.
At the conclusion of the private ceremony, the Norwegian flags at Akershus Fortress were raised to full mast and a double Royal Salute was fired, while church bells rang throughout the country for one hour. After the ceremony, the Royal Couple of Serbia joined the other Royal guests at the Royal Palace for a reception hosted by Their Majesties the King and Queen of Norway.
The members of the Royal Family of Norway, led by HM King Haakon VIII, HM Queen Mette-Marit, HM Queen Sonja, and HRH Crown Princess Ingrid Alexandra were accompanied by many distinguished people in saying goodbye to the late King and setting him off to his eternal rest. Together with the Royal Couple of Serbia, the Royal families of Europe and the world were present including: HM King Carl XVI Gustaf, HM Queen Silvia, and HRH Crown Princess Victoria of Sweden, HM King Philippe and HM Queen Mathilde of Belgium, HM King Frederik X, HM Queen Mary, and HRH Crown Prince Christian of Denmark, HM King Felipe VI, HM Queen Letizia, and HM Queen Sofia of Spain, HM King Willem-Alexander, HM Queen Máxima, HRH Princess of Orange Catharina-Amalia, and HRH Princes Beatrix of the Netherlands, HSH Prince Albert II and HSH Princess Charlene of Monaco, HRH Grand Duke Guillaume, HRH Grand Duchess Stéphanie, and HRH Grand Duke Henri of Luxembourg, HRH The Prince of Wales William, and HRH The Princess Royal Anne on behalf of the Royal family of the United Kingdom, HRH Hereditary Prince Alois, and HRH Hereditary Princess Sophie of Liechtenstein, HM King Abdullah II and HM Queen Rania of Jordan, HIH Crown Prince Fumihito Akishino, and HIH Crown Princess Kiko Akishino of Japan, HRH Crown Prince Pavlos and HM Queen Anne-Marie of Greece, and many other Royals.
