This Wednesday, September 9, the eyes of the world are on Oslo for the State Funeral of King Harald V of Norway, who passed away on August 28 at the age of 89 after several days in the hospital. Since then, the entire country has been mourning the loss of its beloved sovereign, regarded by several generations as the “grandfather of the nation.”
Since Tuesday afternoon, numerous royals have arrived, among them King Felipe and Queen Letizia; Princess Alexia of Greece with her husband, Carlos Morlaes, her brother, Prince Nikolaos of Greece, and her mother, Queen Anne-Marie; Alois of Liechtenstein; Abdullah and Rania of Jordan; and Rosario Nadal, a close friend of Queen Mette-Marit. They were all seen around the Grand Hotel as they gathered for a historic reception hosted by Haakon VIII and Mette-Marit.
Nearly 2,000 soldiers to accompany Harald V’s coffin
As Harald V’s coffin is carried through the streets of Oslo to his final resting place, every branch of the Armed Forces will be represented to render him their last honors. A total of 1,900 service members from all the services will line the route along the streets. The United Kingdom, Sweden, and Denmark have also sent troops.
© Sean GallupGiant screens set up in downtown Oslo
In addition to being closed to traffic, downtown Oslo has been equipped with giant screens so people can follow all of today’s events. More than 170 churches across the country will also broadcast the funeral ceremony live.
King Philippe and Queen Mathilde of Belgium and the Grand Dukes of Luxembourg arrive
King Philippe and Queen Mathilde of Belgium and the Grand Duke and Grand Duchess of Luxembourg, Guillaume and Stéphanie, have arrived together by bus. The monarchs are dressed in their full ceremonial uniforms and decorations.
© FREDERIK RINGNESThe Swedish Royal Family lands on Norwegian soil
The Swedish Royal Family has already landed in Oslo. It is one of the monarchies sending the largest delegation to this State Funeral, due to strong family and friendship ties. Crown Princess Victoria is one of King Harald’s godchildren and one of those who has most deeply mourned the loss of her “dear” godfather.
In addition, King Carl Gustaf has already announced that on Wednesday there will be a bell-ringing ceremony at Riddarholm Church in Stockholm. Harald V was appointed Knight of the Royal Order of the Seraphim by King Gustaf VI Adolf in 1958. In 1992, he received the chain of this Order.
© Frederik Ringnes / NTB / AFP via Getty ImagesThe king’s standard flies at half-mast over Madrid’s Royal Palace
Before 9:00 a.m., King Felipe VI’s standard was lowered to half-mast at the Royal Palace in Madrid as a sign of mourning on the day of King Harald V of Norway’s funeral. At the moment of his interment, it will be raised to the top of the mast in tribute to King Haakon VIII.
© NICOLAS TUCATPrincess Märtha Louise of Norway and Durek Verrett arrive at the Royal Palace
Despite his recent kidney transplant, Durek Verrett arrived at the Royal Palace with his wife, Princess Märtha Louise of Norway, to join the Norwegian Royal Family in their grief and in this major tribute to King Harald. Princess Märtha Louise is no longer an active member of the Royal Family, but she always maintained a very close and loving relationship with her father. King Harald and Queen Sonja attended their daughter’s wedding to the shaman to the Hollywood stars.
Queen Sonja’s walk through the Royal Palace park
Very early on Wednesday morning, at 7:00 a.m., Queen Sonja was seen out for a walk in sportswear through the Royal Palace park. Cell phone in hand, she took a photo of her own statue, which was covered in flowers. Today will be an incredibly difficult day for her: she will say a final goodbye to the man she was married to for almost 58 years and with whom she shared a royal love story unlike any other.
Streets packed hours before the funeral
Oslo has gone into maximum security mode for an event that has posed a major security and logistical challenge. Flights have been canceled at the airport so that planes carrying royals and dignitaries from around the world can land to say farewell to the Nordic monarch.
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