Prince William Leads Royal Family's Farewell to Norway's 'People's King' Harald V

Thousands of mourners lined the streets of Oslo on Wednesday as Prince William led the British Royal Family's tribute to King Harald V of Norway, walking in solemn procession behind the late monarch's coffin as it was drawn on a gun carriage from the Royal Palace to Oslo Cathedral.

William, representing his father King Charles III at the service, was accompanied by his aunt Princess Anne — herself attending in a personal capacity as godmother to Norway's new King Haakon VIII. The pair were pictured walking solemnly together, part of a remarkable assembly of European royalty that underlined just how deeply the late king was admired across the continent.

The cathedral and its surrounding streets became a who's who of global monarchy and political leadership. King Frederik and Queen Mary of Denmark, King Willem-Alexander and Queen Maxima of the Netherlands, King Felipe and Queen Letizia of Spain, King Carl Gustaf and Queen Silvia of Sweden, and King Philippe and Queen Mathilde of Belgium were among those present. Prince Albert II and Princess Charlene of Monaco, and Japan's Crown Prince Akishino and Crown Princess Kiko also processed alongside William.

Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky walked two rows behind William among the political leaders — a striking image that captured the breadth of international figures drawn to Oslo to pay their respects.

The coffin itself was draped in the red Norwegian royal standard and adorned with white flowers, as sombre military band music accompanied the procession through the streets. Four F-35 fighter jets later flew over the cathedral in a "missing man" formation — a powerful aerial tribute as the service drew to a close.

King Charles's absence from Oslo was entirely in keeping with long-standing royal protocol. In keeping with precedent, the sovereign does not attend the funerals of other heads of state, so the duty fell to William. The Prince of Wales stepped into the role just a day after accompanying his son Prince George to his first day at Eton College — a reminder of the relentless pace of royal life.

Charles had already paid warm tribute to his late cousin following Harald's death on 28th August after a blood infection. In a message of condolence, he praised Harald's "unwavering dedication" and said his "kindness, compassion and deep sense of duty echoed from across the sea and across the decades." The late Queen Elizabeth II and King Harald were second cousins, sharing the same great-grandparents, King Edward VII and Queen Alexandra.

William's presence in Oslo carried particular personal resonance. He and the Princess of Wales carried out an official tour to Norway in 2018, dining with King Harald and the now-widowed Queen Sonja at the Royal Palace, where Harald described them as "family." The warmth of that visit — which included time on the ski slopes with the then-Crown Prince Haakon and Crown Princess Mette-Marit — reflected a bond between the two royal families that stretched well beyond ceremony.

The Nordic unity on display in Oslo was also striking in its own right. As Harald's coffin was carried from the cathedral, Norway's new King Haakon walked flanked by King Carl XVI Gustaf of Sweden and King Frederik X of Denmark — a deeply symbolic image of solidarity between the three Nordic royal families. Carl Gustaf had begun his personal message to the new monarch with the words "Dear godson," a reflection of just how closely knit these dynasties remain.

King Harald V will be laid to rest in the Royal Mausoleum beneath the chapel at Akershus Fortress, an ancient stronghold that has overlooked central Oslo for more than 700 years. He joins his father King Olav V, his mother Crown Princess Märtha, and his grandparents, King Haakon VII and Queen Maud.