Memorial services honouring King Harald have been confirmed following his death at the age of 89. These services, which aren’t his official state funeral, will be held in various locations across Norway on Sunday.
King Haakon, along with his mother, Queen Sonja, and his two children, Crown Princess Ingrid Alexandra and Prince Sverre Magnus, will attend a ceremony, which will take place at 11:00 a.m. in Asker Church, located close to Skaugum Palace and a regular venue for the Royal Family’s religious services.
The most notable absentee will be Queen Mette-Marit, as confirmed by the statement released by the Royal Court. In the statement, the Palace of Oslo affirms that, “as previously announced,” King Haakon’s wife “is recovering from the lung transplant she underwent in June and has limited participation in official events.”
However, it’s believed that she will be present at other events related to the passing of King Harald.
Although the Royal House statement does not specify, it is understood that Princess Märtha Louise will also be present at the Asker ceremony.
She accompanied her mother during King Harald’s funeral procession to Oslo Palace. Her daughters, Maud Angelica, Leah Isadora, and Emma Tallulah, are also expected to attend. Her husband, Durek Verrett, is not expected to be present as he is recovering from a kidney transplant he underwent just a few days ago.
The funeral services announced by the Church of Norway are part of the farewell ceremonies for the late monarch. A state funeral has not yet been announced.
In a statement confirming Harald’s death, the Palace said: “It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of His Majesty King Harald. King Harald passed away peacefully at the National Hospital on Friday, August 28, at 6:35 a.m.” The monarch had been hospitalized since August 17 due to hemolytic anemia, which deteriorated to a critical condition.
Condolence hearings
Prior to this announcement, Haakon accompanied by his daughter, held the first condolence audiences. At the Royal Palace, they met briefly with representatives of key institutions: the Speaker of Parliament, Masoud Gharahkhani; the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, Toril Marie Øie; and the President of the Church of Norway, Olav Fykse Tveit.
© NTB/AFP via Getty ImagesThis is a tradition associated with the change of throne and represents the government’s celebration and respect for the transition from the late King Harald V to the new King Haakon VIII.
In addition, the new monarch and the Crown Princess approached King Harald’s coffin. According to the local press, Queen Mette-Marit and Prince Sverre Magnus also attended, arriving at the Royal Palace in Oslo, where the lying-in-state is located, a little later.
Haakon VIII’s first speech as King
In his first speech as monarch, Haakon paid tribute to his father. “My dear father. Thank you for being such a good dad to Märtha and me,” he said. “Warm and safe. Then you were a warm and funny grandfather. A loving and caring husband.
“A brother and uncle who was so loved by so many. You were the head of the family, and brought us all together with a natural authority, which you may not have been aware of yourself.”
© NTB/AFP via Getty ImagesThe new King also said that he would miss his father’s “laugh”, while highlighting his pride in everything that Harald “stood for”.Towards the end, Haakon got emotional as he paid tribute to his mother, Queen Sonja, saying: “Congratulations on your wedding anniversary, dear mother.”
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