OSLO, Sep 9 (Reuters) – King Harald V of Norway was buried on Wednesday, in a series of ceremonies that marked the end of 13 days of national mourning following his death, at the age of 89.
Harald, a reformer who spent more than three decades on the throne after gradually stepping out from his father’s shadow, popular and charismatic, died at a moment of multiple crises for the Norwegian royal family.
A procession on foot from the Royal Palace to Oslo Cathedral began at 12:00 local time, punctuated by the sound of cannon shots fired from Akershus Fortress in Oslo.
Tens of thousands of people crowded Karl Johans Gate in the capital, according to police, and the crowd fell into total silence as the coffin passed.
The procession was followed by a religious ceremony that began at 13:00. It opened with a minute of silence nationwide.
Among the guests were Prince William and Princess Anne of the United Kingdom; Crown Prince Akishino and Crown Princess Kiko of Japan; King Felipe, Queen Letizia and Queen Sofia of Spain; the Swedish royal family; and King Frederik and Queen Mary of Denmark.
Heads of state from around the world were invited.
The president of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelenskiy, arrived in Oslo on Tuesday night and met with the Norwegian prime minister to discuss the war with Russia, according to authorities on both sides. He also took part in the procession.
Representing the United States was Allison Hooker, Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs, the Norwegian government said.
