Norway bids farewell to King Harald V in state funeral attended by global leaders
King Harald V of Norway died on August 28, 2026, at age 89. His state funeral took place in Oslo on September 9, with the casket moved from the royal palace to Oslo Cathedral on an artillery carriage draped in Norway’s red royal banner. The procession was attended by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, Britain’s Prince William, Scandinavian royals, and other world leaders. Norway’s new monarch, King Haakon VIII, led the royal family on foot, while Queen Sonja and Queen Mette-Marit followed by car. After the service, four F-35 fighter jets will fly a 'missing man' formation before the casket is taken to Akershus Castle chapel for burial in a $2 million sarcophagus. Flags lowered to half-mast after his death will be raised again, and church bells will ring for an hour. Over 6,500 police and soldiers were deployed, with airspace restrictions over eastern Norway. Despite scandals involving his daughter-in-law Mette-Marit and her son, Harald remained widely popular and was Europe’s oldest reigning monarch until his death. Polls show support for the Norwegian monarchy rose to 72% after his passing, up from 60% earlier in the year.