King Harald V of Norway was laid to rest during a funeral in Oslo attended by world leaders and watched by tens of thousands of mourners, closing 13 days of national mourning.
Key facts
- King Harald V was laid to rest during a service in Oslo attended by world leaders.
- Tens of thousands of people lined the streets of the Norwegian capital.
- The funeral brought 13 days of national mourning to a close.
- Harald died last month at the age of 89 after ruling for more than three decades.
- Europe's royals and global political figures attended the ceremony.
Norway bid farewell to King Harald V as the late monarch was laid to rest during a funeral in Oslo attended by world leaders. Tens of thousands of people lined the streets of the capital to pay their respects, according to reporting from Al Jazeera, the BBC and the Guardian.
The ceremony brought to a close 13 days of national mourning that followed the king’s death last month at the age of 89. Norway observed a minute’s silence as the country took leave of the monarch in a series of ceremonies, the Guardian reported.
Harald V was described by the Guardian as a popular monarch and a light-touch, unassuming reformer who ruled for more than three decades.
Foreign heads of state and government converged on the Norwegian capital for the funeral, with Europe’s royals and global political figures among those attending the ceremony, according to the Guardian.
The BBC reported that tens of thousands of people lined the streets to pay their respects after the 13-day period of national mourning. Al Jazeera described crowds filling the streets of Norway’s capital as the king was laid to rest.
The funeral marked the formal conclusion of the mourning period and a moment of national reflection as Norway remembered a monarch who reigned for more than thirty years.
Why it matters
The funeral marks the end of a reign that spanned more than three decades and closes a national period of mourning for a widely respected monarch. The large turnout and attendance by world leaders underscore King Harald V's significance both to Norwegians and on the international stage.
Frequently asked questions
How old was King Harald V when he died?
According to the Guardian, King Harald V died last month at the age of 89.
How long did the national mourning last?
Norway observed 13 days of national mourning following the king's death, which concluded with the funeral in Oslo.
Who attended the funeral?
World leaders attended the service, including Europe's royals and global political figures, according to the Guardian, along with tens of thousands of members of the public who lined the streets.