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William represents Charles
Britain’s Prince William will attend the funeral of Norway’s late King Harald V next week in place of his father King Charles, Buckingham Palace announced, with the service set for 9 September at Oslo Cathedral.
“The Prince of Wales will attend the funeral of King Harald V of Norway on Wednesday in Oslo”
The BBC said the Prince of Wales will represent his father in line with the convention that the monarch does not usually go to the funeral of another head of state, and it added that large crowds are expected for the farewell to King Harald on 9 September.
The BBC also reported that the funeral procession will be followed by a service at Oslo Cathedral, and that the service will be followed by a private burial in Norway’s royal mausoleum in the Akershus Fortress.
In London, the Inquirer.net similarly framed the move as representation for King Charles, noting that William is set to represent his father at the funeral on September 9 and that he “also attended the funeral of Pope Francis last year on behalf of the king.”
Tributes and protocol
The BBC reported that King Charles’s message praised his cousin King Harald for serving his people with “unwavering dedication,” guiding Norway through “times of great change with warmth and humility.”
The BBC said Harald’s son King Haakon delivered an emotional televised speech in which he told mourners: “Thank you for being such a good dad.”
The Guardian added that William will be joined by his aunt the Princess Royal, who is attending in a private and personal capacity as godmother of the new king, Haakon VIII, and it said the duty falls to William because “the sovereign does not attend funerals of other heads of state.”
The Independent likewise said William will represent his father at the funeral of King Harald V, and it quoted Charles’s condolence language about Harald as his “dear cousin” and “much-loved kinsman and friend.”
Scandals and attendance
The BBC linked the funeral to a difficult moment for the Norwegian royal family, saying King Haakon assumes his role at a difficult time with scandals this year, including Queen Mette-Marit’s three-year friendship with sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
“King Haakon assumes his role at a difficult time, with the Norwegian royal family facing scandals this year”
The BBC also reported that Marius Borg Høiby was convicted in June of rape and other offences and sentenced to four years in prison, and it said he is appealing.
In Britain’s orbit, the BBC said the King will be hosting Andy Burnham at Balmoral this weekend, in the traditional annual visit of the prime minister to stay with the monarch.
Meanwhile, the HOLA report described Norway’s preparations for the state funeral as “Operation K,” saying the protocol was launched immediately on August 28 when the death of King Harald V was confirmed, and it said the official day begins at 12:00 p.m. when the King’s coffin leaves the Royal Palace in a black Mercedes-Benz Geländewagen military vehicle.