The Norwegian royal family and thousands of citizens attended religious services this Sunday, August 30, held in churches and cathedrals in the country to honor King Harald V, who died on Friday at the age of 89.
“A family has lost their father, grandfather, husband and father-in-law. Our thoughts are now with them in their grief. Our country has lost a king very loved by the people,” said the provost. EITHERyvind Stabrun opening the mass at the church in the town of Asker, about 20 kilometers southwest of Oslo, where the royal family was present.
The royal family, present in the Asker church
In the front row were King Haakon VIII, Queen Sonya, Crown Princess Ingrid Alexandra and Prince Sverre Magnus. On the other hand, Queen Mette-Marit did not participate in the mass as she was still recovering after the lung transplant she underwent last June. In his place, his brother, Espen Høiby, was present.
About 500 people, despite queuing, finally had to stay outside the church, since its maximum capacity is 400 people. Long lines also formed at Oslo Cathedral and other temples.
The Norwegian Prime Minister at Oslo Cathedral
The mass celebrated in the Oslo Cathedral was attended by, among other authorities, the Norwegian Prime Minister, Jonas Gahr Støre, and the President of Parliament (Storting), Masud Gharahkhani, as well as several members of the Government, deputies and representatives of different areas of Norwegian society.
Speaking to Norwegian radio and television NRK after the religious ceremony, the prime minister highlighted the importance of Oslo Cathedral for the royal family.
“The cathedral has been the scene of many meetings with King Harald, so it was a moving experience to be there without him. The king got married there, the crown prince, who is now king, got married there, and there we will give the king his last rest, not next week, the other,” he declared.
Harald’s funeral and its procedure
King Harald V will be farewelled on September 9 with a funeral that will take place in Oslo Cathedral, after which his remains will be transferred to the crypt of Akershus Castle.
The funeral procession will be led by the president of the Norwegian Church, Olav Fykse Tveit, and the Bishop of Oslo, Sunniva Gylver, will participate, as reported by the Norwegian newspaper “VG”, adding that on the day of the funeral the monarch will be remembered with a minute of silence throughout the country that will begin at 1:00 p.m. (local time), giving way to the start of the ceremony.
As planned, the day will begin with a private moment in the chapel of the Royal Palace and, then, the main door will open and 21 cannon shots will be fired from Akershus Castle. After this, the royal coffin will be carried in procession to the cathedral, accompanied by his family and representatives of the Norwegian public sector.
Once this ceremony is over, a new procession will take place to Akershus Castle, where another private event will be held for the family of the deceased monarch, European royalty and some Norwegian hierarchs.
Finally, King Harald will be buried in the castle crypt, the half-mast flags of the entire country will be raised to their maximum height and the royal ship “Norge” will emit a whistle signal to indicate that the former king has left the Norwegian people.
