The state funeral of Norway’s King Harald has begun, with members of the royal family, European royals and international leaders gathering to pay their final respects.
Crown Princess Ingrid Alexandra, Princess Märtha Louise and Prince Sverre Magnus joined the funeral procession, while Queen Mette-Marit and Queen Sonja followed behind the cortege by car.
Other European royals attending the ceremony include Sweden’s Prince Carl Philip and Princess Sofia, Princess Madeleine and her husband Chris O’Neill, Monaco’s Prince Albert and Princess Charlene, as well as King Willem-Alexander and Queen Máxima of the Netherlands.
The late king’s coffin is being taken from the Royal Palace in a solemn procession to Oslo Cathedral, as the royal family and the Norwegian public mourn the former monarch.
Following the funeral ceremony, Harald will be laid to rest in the royal crypt. Flags will then be raised again, a double royal salute will be fired, and church bells across Norway are expected to ring for an hour.
Several international leaders are also attending the funeral. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy was seen walking behind the late king’s coffin accompanied by security personnel.
King Harald died in late August at the age of 89. His son Haakon succeeded him as Norway’s new monarch.
