Queen Mette-Marit joined a solemn procession in Oslo on Monday to move the coffin of the late King Harald V to the royal palace chapel. King Harald passed away Friday at 89, initiating an official period of national mourning as the country prepares for the Sept. 9 funeral.
Procession Moves King Harald V to Palace Chapel
The royal family and visitors have been in an official state of mourning since the monarch died at age 89. Over the weekend, mourners gathered outside the royal palace in Oslo to lay flowers, light candles, and write cards. The late king’s coffin arrived late Friday from the hospital and remained in the palace’s Red Salon over the weekend.
On Monday, the coffin was transferred to the palace chapel in a procession that included Queen Mette-Marit, marking her first official appearance since assuming her title. She walked alongside Queen Sonja, Harald’s widow, holding hands behind the coffin as it moved to the chapel, where it will remain until the funeral set for Wednesday, Sept. 9. The public will be permitted to enter the chapel to pay their respects starting Tuesday, according to the Norwegian broadcaster NRK.
Crown Prince Haakon Becomes King Haakon VIII
With King Harald’s passing, his son immediately succeeded him, becoming King Haakon VIII. The 53-year-old monarch will take the constitutional oath on Tuesday. His wife officially became Queen Mette-Marit, while their oldest child, Ingrid Alexandra, stepped into her role as crown princess and heir to the throne.
In his first public address as king, broadcast live on television Saturday night, the new sovereign paid an emotional tribute to his father. Trying to hold back tears, he spoke about the personal loss and his commitment to his new responsibilities.
“I’m going to miss him. I’ll miss his laughter. His good-natured way of dealing with people and situations.”
King Haakon VIII, via Associated Press
The new king vowed to give everything for the nation, adopting the historic royal motto All for Norway,
which dates back to his great-grandfather. Looking ahead, his immediate duties will include shoring up public support for the monarchy following recent controversies surrounding his stepson’s rape conviction and his wife’s past contacts with the late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
Queen Mette-Marit’s Return to Public Duties
Monday’s procession marked a significant return to the public eye for Queen Mette-Marit, who has been largely absent following a lung transplant in June. She was diagnosed in 2018 with pulmonary fibrosis, a progressive condition that damages lung tissue and causes severe breathing difficulties with no known cure.
The transition in the royal family follows decades of stability under King Harald V, whose 57-year marriage to Queen Sonja was famously forged through a tumultuous nine-year courtship. That romance overcame strict constitutional hurdles in the 1960s when Harald issued an ultimatum to his father, stating he would remain unmarried if he could not wed Sonja Haraldsen, a commoner. The political crisis was resolved only after King Olav consulted with the government and parliament, clearing the way for their 1968 wedding at Oslo Cathedral.
International Tributes Highlight a Legacy of Peace
As Norway entered an official period of mourning, international leaders extended condolences to the royal family and the Norwegian government.
“Kenya mourns with Norway the passing of an exceptional monarch whose life was defined by duty, dignity, humility and unwavering devotion to his people.”
President William Ruto, via The Star
Ruto recalled his official visit to Norway in June, marking the first time a Kenyan head of state traveled to the country, and praised Harald’s commitment to multilateralism, human rights, and international solidarity. Across Norway, communities continued to honor the late king over the weekend by attending cathedral memorial services, with some citizens postponing family celebrations like weddings and baptisms until the official mourning period concludes ahead of next week’s funeral.
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