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Prince William will travel to Norway next week to represent King Charles at the funeral of King Harald V, continuing a long-standing royal tradition in which the British monarch is represented by the heir at the funerals of foreign heads of state.
The Prince of Wales will attend the service in Oslo alongside Princess Anne, who is travelling in a personal capacity because she is the godmother of Norway’s new monarch, King Haakon VIII.
Norway has spent the past days mourning the loss of one of its most respected rulers. King Harald died on August 28 at the age of 89 after spending 35 years on the throne, where he became widely admired for his approachable character, sense of humour and efforts to make the monarchy feel closer to ordinary people.
The funeral will be held on September 9 at Oslo Cathedral, where Queen Sonja and other members of the Norwegian royal family will gather to bid farewell to the late king.
As constitutional custom dictates that the reigning British monarch does not usually attend the funerals of fellow sovereigns, William will carry out the duty on behalf of his father by representing the Crown during the state ceremony.
Following Harald’s passing, King Charles released a heartfelt tribute, remembering him as his “dear cousin” and “much-loved kinsman and friend.”
The King praised Harald’s lifelong service, describing his “unwavering dedication” while saying that his “kindness, compassion and deep sense of duty echoed from across the sea and across the decades.”
The connection between the British and Norwegian royal families stretches back generations. Queen Elizabeth II and King Harald were second cousins, sharing King Edward VII and Queen Alexandra as common great-grandparents.
This will not be the first time William has stepped into such a significant international role. Last year, he also represented King Charles at the funeral of Pope Francis in the Vatican.
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The Prince and Princess of Wales also shared a warm relationship with the late Norwegian monarch during their 2018 visit to Norway. During that trip, they attended a state banquet at the Royal Palace, where King Harald affectionately referred to the British royals as “family” and spoke warmly about his admiration for Queen Elizabeth II.
One of the most memorable moments from the evening came when Harald escorted Catherine, who was expecting Prince Louis at the time, into the banquet arm in arm while she wore an elegant Alexander McQueen gown. Behind them, Queen Sonja entered alongside William.
During the same visit, William and Catherine joined the then-Crown Prince Haakon and Crown Princess Mette-Marit on the ski slopes, making the trip as much about personal connections as official diplomacy.
With Haakon and Mette-Marit now ascending to the throne, William’s presence at King Harald’s funeral reflects not only his constitutional responsibilities but also the close ties that have united the British and Norwegian royal families for decades.
