Prince William represents King Charles at King Harald's Norway funeral
Prince William represents King Charles at King Harald's Norway funeral
Jennifer Newton, Hollie Beale Wed, September 9, 2026 at 7:32 PM UTC
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Prince William and Princess Anne in Norway (Image: Getty Images)Prince William and Princess Anne have represented the Royal Family at the funeral of King Harald of Norway in Oslo today, with hundreds of mourners paying their respects to the late monarch
Prince William joined hundreds of mourners gathered in Oslo to pay their final respects at the funeral of King Harald of Norway.
The Prince of Wales, accompanied by his aunt Princess Anne, was among royals and heads of state from across the globe who attended today's service to honor the monarch, who passed away last month at the age of 89.
William was observed walking in procession alongside fellow royals behind the King's coffin.
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Last week, it was confirmed that William, who accompanied son, Prince George, to his first day at Eton College yesterday, would represent his father at the funeral held at Oslo Cathedral.
In accordance with established protocol, the sovereign does not attend funerals of other heads of state, making it William's responsibility to represent the Crown.
King Harald's funeral procession on its way to Oslo Cathedral (Image: AFP via Getty Images)
Princess Anne attended the service in a private and personal capacity, given her role as godmother to Norway's new king, Haakon VIII.
Other prominent European royals present at today's ceremony included King Frederik and Queen Mary of Denmark, King Philippe and Queen Mathilde of the Belgians, King Willem-Alexander and Queen Maxima of the Netherlands, King Carl Gustaf and Queen Silvia of Sweden, and King Felipe and Queen Letizia of Spain.
Former Danish Queen Margrethe II, 86, had also been expected to attend but was forced to withdraw after being hospitalized earlier this week.
William walks alongside his aunt, Anne (Image: WireImage)
William participated in the walking procession following the beloved monarch's coffin, which was ceremonially transported on a gun carriage.
Ukraine's president Volodymyr Zelensky walked two rows behind William among the political leaders.
Immediately behind the coffin was Norway's new King Haakon VIII, accompanied by Crown Princess Ingrid Alexandra and other family members. The widowed Queen Sonja, dressed in a black veil, and the new Queen Mette-Marit traveled by car.
Thousands gathered along the streets, packed behind barriers, to observe the historic moment and watch the coffin pass by, covered in the red Norwegian royal standard and decorated with white flowers.
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Norway has witnessed an overwhelming display of mourning for the beloved monarch Harald, who passed away on August 28 from a blood infection. Harald - recognized for his warmth, humor and relaxed demeanor - had been celebrated as an inclusive "people's king" who transformed the Norwegian monarchy throughout his 35-year reign.
Charles offered a heartfelt tribute to his "dear cousin" and "much-loved kinsman and friend" following the announcement of Harald's death. In a condolence message, he commended Harald's "unwavering dedication" and his "kindness, compassion and deep sense of duty echoed from across the sea and across the decades".
The late Queen Elizabeth II and King Harald were second cousins. They shared the same great-grandparents, King Edward VII and Queen Alexandra.
William and the now-Princess of Wales undertook an official visit to Norway in 2018, sharing a dinner with King Harald and the now-widowed Queen Sonja at the Royal Palace, where Harald referred to them as "family" and commended their support of the late Queen.
Prince William at the funeral (Image: POOL/AFP via Getty Images)
The Norwegian monarch entered the banquet hall arm in arm with a pregnant Kate, who was expecting Prince Louis and dressed in a flowing Alexander McQueen gown, with William and Queen Sonja mirroring the gesture as they followed behind.
William and Kate also enjoyed time on the ski slopes alongside the then-Crown Prince Haakon and Crown Princess Mette-Marit, who have since become the new King and Queen.
Upon his accession last month, King Haakon adopted the motto All For Norway, which dates back to his great-grandfather. His wife assumed the title of Queen Mette-Marit, while his eldest child, Ingrid Alexandra, was named crown princess and heir to the throne.
Among his most pressing responsibilities will be bolstering public support for the monarchy following controversy surrounding his wife's former connections with the late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. She also underwent a lung transplant in June after being diagnosed with pulmonary fibrosis.
Prince William at the funeral of King Harald of Norway today (Image: Getty Images)
Adding to the controversy, it has emerged that Marius Borg Høiby, Mette-Marit's eldest son and Haakon's stepson, has been permitted to leave house arrest to attend the funeral. In June, Marius was convicted of two counts of rape along with additional offenses, receiving a four-year prison sentence despite maintaining his innocence regarding the most severe charges.
He remains under house arrest at the royal Skaugum estate while his attorneys pursue an appeal of the verdict. He had received authorization to depart house arrest with electronic surveillance as King Harald's condition worsened - and was also permitted to attend the funeral service.
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Source: “AOL Entertainment”
