Death of King Harald 1937–2026

Full churches in Norway during memorial service for Harald

At 11:00 a.m., Norway's churches were filled with those who wanted to participate in the memorial service for King Harald, Norwegian media reports.

Perhaps the greatest interest was in the service in Asker Church, in Harald's home municipality outside Oslo. Among those who attended were Queen Sonja, King Haakon VIII, Crown Princess Ingrid Alexandra and Prince Sverre Magnus.

- It was a strong sight when the royal family arrived at Asker Church for the memorial service. They looked clearly taken aback, and Queen Sonja in particular seemed moved. It's not hard to understand given what they're going through, says Se og Hør's court reporter Caroline Vagle to Dagbladet.

The queue to get into the church in Asker began early on Sunday morning, and when the service began, around 500 people had been told that the church was full and instead had to follow the ceremony from outside.

Støre: King Harald will be buried the week after next

Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre says that King Harald will be buried sometime during week 37.

- We will lay the king to rest the week after next, Støre tells NRK.

No official date has yet been announced by the court. The king's funeral is expected to be a huge event with heads of state and government from all over the world in attendance.

According to Norwegian tradition, the funeral procession will go from the palace to Oslo Cathedral. The king's final resting place will be the royal mausoleum under Akershus Castle Church.

Clear: King Harald will be buried on September 9

King Harald's funeral will take place on Wednesday, September 9 at 1 pm in Oslo Cathedral, Norwegian media report.

The ceremony will be led by Presiding Bishop Olav Fykse Tveit, the highest representative of the Church of Norway. Oslo's Bishop Sunniva Gylver, cathedral cantor Marcus André Berg and the Oslo Cathedral Choir will also participate.

Several high-ranking international guests are expected, writes VG.

On Monday, King Harald's coffin will be moved from the Red Salon to the Palace Chapel in the Royal Palace. There, the public will be able to visit it from Tuesday to the following Tuesday, the day before the funeral.

The Danish royal couple announced that they will participate in the ceremony. The Swedish court has not given any information about who will participate.