All articles tagged with #harald v
Norway's Princess Astrid, elder sister of the late King Harald V, died at age 94 two days after Harald V's funeral; the royal family announced flags at half-mast and praised her decades of public service, including her role as First Lady after Crown Princess Martha's death, with her last public appearance at Harald V's Oslo funeral.
Princess Astrid of Norway, sister of the late King Harald V and the kingdom’s longest-serving royal figure, died aged 94 two days after attending Harald’s funeral. Her nephew King Haakon praised her warm, dutiful representation of the Royal House, and she had long worked to aid society’s most vulnerable. She will be buried at state expense with national flags at half-mast; her passing follows a period of royal-family scrutiny and public mourning for Harald V.
Norway’s farewell to King Harald V included a personal sailing photograph released by the Royal House, underscoring the monarch’s lifelong passion for the sea—from Olympic sailor and world champion to leader of Norway’s sailing community—set against the backdrop of his state funeral and national mourning.
Thousands gathered in Oslo for the state funeral of King Harald V, as his coffin was carried through the city and later transported in a smaller procession to Akershus Fortress. Crown Prince Haakon led the royal attendance alongside Sweden’s Carl XVI Gustaf and Denmark’s Frederik X, with Mette-Marit’s son Marius Borg Høiby in attendance amid his rape conviction case. The ceremony underscored Norway’s largely ceremonial monarchy, whose royal ties span Europe, while political power remains with the elected government.
Norway held a high-profile state funeral for King Harald V at Oslo Cathedral, with monarchs and presidents from Europe and beyond—including Ukraine’s Zelenskyy and Britain's Prince William—attending after thousands queued to view his coffin; the service will be followed by a procession to Akershus Castle for burial, in a ceremony that marks Harald’s 35-year reign and his modernization of the royal house.
Norway’s King Harald V, famed as the “Sports King” for his lifelong devotion to sport and sailing, has died at 89. The royal family released a rare younger photo as tributes from World Sailing and the IOC highlighted his role as a three-time Olympic sailor, flag bearer in Tokyo 1964, and a key figure in opening Lillehammer’s Olympics, underscoring his enduring impact on sport and national life.
With King Harald V’s funeral set for Oslo on Sept 9, the Court Circular has not named a UK representative; Princess Anne is unavailable and Prince Edward and the Duchess of Edinburgh are booked, leaving open the possibility that Prince William and the Princess of Wales would attend on behalf of King Charles, reflecting the long-standing Windsor–Norway ties.
Norway's newly crowned king takes his oath as his late father, King Harald V, lies in state at the Royal Palace, marking a key early step in his reign amid national mourning.
Marius Borg Hoiby, Queen Mette-Marit’s son who is under house arrest for rape, will be allowed to attend King Harald V’s funeral and participate in carrying the coffin to the palace chapel; his four-year sentence is under appeal and he remains detained with an ankle monitor at Skaugum Palace.
Queen Máxima and Princess Amalia will travel to Oslo to attend King Harald V’s state funeral on September 9 at Oslo Cathedral, joining other European royals; Norway is preparing its largest security operation in history for the ceremony, with confirmed guests from Denmark, Belgium, and Japan, and possible attendance by other dignitaries.
King Harald V of Norway, who reigned since 1991 and became a beloved figure for his love-based marriage to Oslo shop girl Sonja Haraldsen, has died at 89. His long, modernizing reign endured storms, attacks and royal family controversies, with public support waning in later years amid scandals surrounding his grandson and daughter‑in‑law. He is survived by Queen Sonja and their children as Norway reflects on the future of its monarchy.
King Harald V's death reshuffles Norway's monarchy, but Marius Borg Høiby remains an integral, unofficial member of the royal family—attending public duties and even the coffin procession—despite a four-year prison sentence for rape and related charges; he has no royal title or line of succession, but the family has long treated him as part of their inner circle, a bond that predates the scandal and persists as he serves house arrest during appeals.
Norwegians across the country gathered in cathedrals and churches to honor King Harald V in emotional memorial services, underscoring the ceremonial yet symbolically important role of the monarchy in a nation that remains deeply connected to its royal family.
Norway’s new king Haakon delivered an emotional first national address paying tribute to his late father Harald V, noting the personal loss on what would have Harald’s wedding anniversary, and urging unity as the country enters mourning. He said he would stand by the public and uphold his father’s values, while preparing to swear an oath in Parliament and participate in a simplified consecration service, despite a royal-era of controversy and a dip in monarchist support. The royal family has faced scrutiny this year, with ongoing public condolences outside the palace and a national period of mourning declared alongside expectations of difficult days ahead.
Tens of thousands gathered in Oslo to mourn King Harald V after his death at 89, as Crown Prince Haakon becomes King Haakon VIII and prepares to address Norwegians; condolence books and candlelight vigils spread nationwide, the coffin arrived at the palace, and a funeral date has not yet been set, signaling a largely symbolic but momentous transition for the royal family.