Norway mourns king Harald V’s funeral
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In Oslo, Norway, thousands gathered to witness the funeral of King Harald V, who passed away on August 28th. Soldiers like Jakob Haugan travelled from Bardufoss to Oslo to stand in honor along the procession route, viewing the event as a once-in-a-lifetime experience.
The solemn ceremony at Oslo Cathedral included musical performances by artists Åge Aleksandersen and Tuva Syvertsen, who sang Alf Prøysen’s song “Jørgen Hattemaker.” Bishops chose to omit the verse Johannes 3:16 from the service, a decision noted due to its traditional inclusion in Norwegian funeral liturgy and its controversial interpretation regarding faith.
The Norwegian royal court published the full guest list for the funeral, which included international dignitaries like Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyj and members of royal families from across Europe. Approximately 53,000 people lined the streets of Oslo to observe the procession from the Royal Palace to the cathedral. During a moment of silence, the Norwegian Broadcasting Corporation (NRK) briefly displayed a black screen on its website as a mark of respect.
King Harald’s coffin was carried into the cathedral, where it was met by King Haakon, Queen Mette-Marit, and other members of the royal family. Following the service, a smaller procession moved to Akershus Fortress church.
