King Harald laid to rest in moving ceremony

King Harald V of Norway has been laid to rest in a moving ceremony.

At noon local time, the coffin left the royal palace in procession to Oslo Cathedral. The coffin was followed by King Haakon, Crown Princess Ingrid Alexandra, Prince Sverre Magnus and Princess Märtha Louise on foot. Behind them, Queen Mette-Marit and Queen Sonja followed in a car.

Foreign royals and heads of state followed the Norwegian royal family in the solemn procession.

The procession reached Oslo Cathedral just before 1 pm. Guests took their seats, and the coffin entered the Cathedral with the royal family, who bowed before it. Princess Astrid, the late King’s sister, later arrived in a wheelchair.

The funeral service began with the hymn written for King Harald and Queen Sonja’s 70th birthdays in 2007. A minute of silence followed, ending with three tolls of the bell.

After a second hymn, the opening words and an opening prayer were said. The President of the Storting, Masud Gharahkhani, and Norway’s Prime Minister, Jonas Gahr Støre, delivered eulogies.

Afterwards, representatives of different faiths lit a candle for the late King. After a musical performance, Queen Sonja placed a rose on her husband’s grave and bowed.

A sermon and several prayers, including one in Swedish by Crown Princess Victoria, King Harald’s goddaughter, followed. More hymns were sung, including the iconic Abide with Me.

The coffin was then led out of the Cathedral to go in procession to Akershus Fortress, where the King was interred after a private ceremony with the royal family.