A Royal Duty Across the North Sea
Prince William is to represent King Charles at the funeral of Norway's King Harald V, Buckingham Palace has announced, with the service set to take place on 9 September at Oslo Cathedral. The Prince of Wales will be joined by his aunt the Princess Royal, who is attending in a personal capacity as godmother to the new Norwegian king, Haakon VIII.
Harald V, who died on 28 August at the age of 89, had reigned for 35 years and was widely celebrated as an inclusive and deeply beloved monarch. Norway has seen a profound outpouring of grief for the late king, who modernised the institution and earned the affection of his people across generations.
Why Charles Won't Be There
King Charles will not attend the funeral in person — not out of ill health or absence of feeling, but by long-standing royal convention. It is established precedent that the reigning sovereign does not attend the funerals of other heads of state, meaning the duty falls instead to William as heir to the throne.
That said, the King has made clear how deeply the loss has affected him. In a message of condolence, Charles paid tribute to his 'dear cousin' and 'much-loved kinsman and friend', praising Harald's 'unwavering dedication' and adding that his 'kindness, compassion and deep sense of duty echoed from across the sea and across the decades'.
Charles praised Harald's 'unwavering dedication' and his 'kindness, compassion and deep sense of duty echoed from across the sea and across the decades'.
The familial bond between the two royal houses runs deep. The late Queen Elizabeth II and King Harald were second cousins, sharing the same great-grandparents in King Edward VII and Queen Alexandra.
William's Personal Connection to Norway
This is not William's first time stepping in for his father at a significant occasion — in April last year, he represented King Charles at the funeral of Pope Francis in the Vatican. He brings to Oslo not just duty, but genuine personal warmth for the Norwegian royal family.
William and the Princess of Wales carried out an official tour to Norway in 2018, dining with King Harald and Queen Sonja at the Royal Palace. On that occasion, Harald described the couple as 'family' and praised their support of the then Queen.
The late king made a particularly memorable gesture when he processed into the banquet arm in arm with a then-pregnant Catherine, who was expecting Prince Louis, with William and Queen Sonja walking behind them.
Harald described William and Catherine as 'family' during their 2018 royal tour to Norway, a warmth that makes William's presence at the funeral all the more fitting.
The couple also spent time on the ski slopes with the then Crown Prince Haakon and Crown Princess Mette-Marit — now, of course, King and Queen of Norway.
Meanwhile, a Happier Royal Occasion in the Highlands
While the funeral preparations unfold, King Charles and Queen Camilla were, just this past weekend, very much in the public eye — and in markedly joyful spirits. The couple attended the Braemar Royal Highland Gathering at The Princess Royal and Duke of Fife Memorial Park in Royal Deeside on Saturday, joining cheering crowds for what has become one of the most cherished fixtures of their Scottish summer.
As is tradition, the King wore a kilt — specifically one made from the King Charles III tartan, based on the Balmoral tartan sett dating back to around 1850, which he first unveiled on Burns Night last year.
Queen Camilla complemented the occasion in tartan paired with the emerald green jacket and feathered hat she wore to a Sunday service at Crathie Kirk the previous year. This marked the fourth Braemar Gathering Charles has attended since his coronation.
Spectators were treated to tug-of-war, caber tossing, hammer throwing, Highland dancing and a parade of pipe bands, with Their Majesties looking thoroughly engaged throughout the afternoon. The Gathering has been held in its present form since 1832, and has been a royal fixture since Queen Victoria attended in 1848.
