LONDON, Sept. 7 — The Prince of Wales will attend the funeral of King Harald V of Norway on Wednesday in Oslo, Buckingham Palace announced over the weekend.
Prince William will represent his father, King Charles III, at the service. He will be joined by his aunt, Princess Anne, who will attend in a private and personal capacity as godmother of Norway’s new monarch, King Haakon VIII.
The decision follows the convention that the British monarch does not usually attend the funeral of another head of state. Prince William previously represented his father at the funeral of Pope Francis in the Vatican in April 2025.
King Harald V died on August 28 at the age of 89 after a 35-year reign. He had been receiving treatment for a rare blood condition, haemolytic anaemia, at a hospital in Oslo. The late monarch was known for his warmth, humour and informal style, and was often described as an inclusive “people’s king” who modernised the Norwegian monarchy.
His funeral will take place at Oslo Cathedral on September 9 at 1:00 p.m. CEST, with a funeral procession from the Royal Palace beforehand. Mourners are expected to include his widow, Queen Sonja, members of the Norwegian royal family including King Haakon VIII, and other European royals. The service will be followed by a private burial in Norway’s royal mausoleum at Akershus Fortress.
King Charles paid tribute to his “dear cousin” and “much-loved kinsman and friend” following Harald’s death, praising his “unwavering dedication” and saying his “kindness, compassion and deep sense of duty” had echoed “across the sea and across the decades”. The two monarchs were second cousins once removed, both being descendants of King Edward VII.
Large crowds are expected for the farewell, with thousands having queued to pay their respects during the late king’s lying in state at the Royal Palace chapel.