Norway bids farewell to King Harald V after 13 days of mourning

King Harald V of Norway will be laid to rest on September 9 in a series of ceremonies marking the culmination of 13 days of national mourning following his death at the age of 89, according to Reuters.

Harald, a reformer who spent more than three decades on the throne after gradually stepping out of the shadow of his popular and charismatic father, died amid multiple crises facing the Norwegian royal family.

At 12:00 p.m. local time, a walking procession will begin from the Royal Palace to Oslo Cathedral, followed by a church service at around 1:00 p.m. local time. The ceremony will begin with a nationwide minute of silence.

Expected guests include Britain’s Prince William and Princess Anne, Japan’s Crown Prince Akishino and Crown Princess Kiko, Spain’s King Felipe, Queen Letizia and Queen Sofia, members of the Swedish royal family, and Denmark’s King Frederik and Queen Mary.

Heads of state from around the world have also been invited.

By Jeyhun Aghazada