World leaders and royal figures from across Europe and the rest of the world gathered in Norway today for the funeral of King Harald V, the last farewell to the beloved monarch after 35 years of rule.
Ahead of today’s service, which takes place at 1pm local time, European royalty were spotted arriving at the five-star Grand Hotel in Oslo.
After landing at Oslo Airport on September 8, Spain‘s King Felipe and apparently Queen Letizia were photographed exiting a bus before entering the luxury hotel.
The Spanish king waved to cameras as he walked along a red carpet to the lobby entrance, wearing a dark gray suit, white shirt and black tie and carrying his own beige duffel bag.
Several royal houses also arrived at King Felipe’s hotel on Tuesday, together with the former Grand Duke of Luxembourg, Henri, Princess Alexia of Greeceand Carlos Morales Quintana steps off a bus while Japan‘s Kroon Prince Akishino and Crown Princess Kiko arrived in a Mercedes-Benz.
According to Television 2many of these high-profile guests opted for shared transportation later that day.
Pictured: Spain’s King Felipe waves to cameras as he walks down a red carpet to the entrance of the Grand Hotel in Oslo, wearing a dark gray suit and carrying his own beige duffel bag
Pictured: Swedish King Carl Gustaf and Queen Silvia sit aboard a bus at the GA terminal at Oslo Airport in Gardermoen on the day of the funeral of Norwegian King Harald, Norway, September 9, 2026
Pictured: Belgium’s King Philippe and Queen Mathilde sit aboard a bus as they arrive at the GA terminal at Oslo Airport in Gardermoen on the day of the funeral of Norway’s King Harald, Norway, September 9, 2026
On September 8, a group including Felipe, Letizia, Henri, the Serbian Crown Prince Couple, Prince Alois of Liechtenstein, Princess Alexia and Queen Anne-Marie of Greece all took a bus together to the palace.
King Harald V died on August 28 at the age of 89 and was the oldest reigning sovereign in Europe. He ruled Norway for 35 years.
But despite modernizing his family’s rule over the years, he refused to abdicate, like other aging monarchs.
His son immediately became King Haakon VIII and last week took an oath of allegiance to the Norwegian constitution in parliament.
Today the coffin will be taken in a procession from the Royal Palace to Oslo Cathedral, followed by Haakon, other senior Norwegian monarchs, foreign guests and representatives of the Norwegian Parliament and others.
Present are the Dutch King Willem-Alexander, Queen Maxima, Princess Beatrix and Princess Catherina-Amalia, together with Prince William, Princess Anne, the Danish King Frederik, Queen Mary, Crown Prince Christian and Princess Benedkeek.
Other royal guests include Swedish King Carl XVI Gustaf, Queen Silvia, Crown Princess Victoria, Prince Carl Philip, Princess Sofia, Princess Madeleine and Princess Christina.
Ahead of the funeral, Norwegians waited patiently to walk past Harald’s coffin as it lay in state in the chapel of Oslo’s royal palace, while the line lasted seven hours this weekend.
Pictured: A portrait of the late King Harald V is displayed in the window of a shop near Oslo Cathedral in Oslo, Norway on September 9, 2026, the day of his state funeral
Italian Minister of Economy and Finance Giancarlo Giorgetti arrives at the GA terminal at Oslo Airport in Gardermoen on the day of the funeral of Norwegian King Harald
Police and press are present on a roof in central Oslo before the coffin of Norwegian King Harald V is carried from the palace to Oslo Cathedral for the funeral in Oslo, Norway
Pictured: Police march at the Karl Johans Gate before the funeral of King Harald V in Olso, Norway, Wednesday, September 9, 2026
Large crowds are expected in Oslo today for the funeral, with the city center closed to vehicles and electric scooters
Large crowds are expected in the capital today for the funeral, with the city center closed to vehicles and electric scooters. The police have instructed people not to bring bicycles, umbrellas or sharp objects.
Large screens have also been installed for people to watch the ceremony.
At the start of the funeral ceremony, a minute’s silence is observed throughout Norway. Eulogies will be delivered by the Speaker of the Norwegian Parliament and the Prime Minister, and a candle-lighting ceremony will take place with representatives of different faiths.
After the funeral, Harald’s coffin will be taken in a procession to the palace chapel of Akershus Castle, where the late king’s ancestors are buried.
After a private ceremony for the Norwegian royal family, accompanied by some foreign guests and high Norwegian officials, the crypt is entered.
The Norwegian monarchy traces its origins to King Harald Fairhair in the ninth century. When Norway regained its independence from Sweden in 1905, three-quarters of voters in a national plebiscite approved the restoration of the monarchy.
Today, the role of the throne is largely symbolic and power lies with the elected government and parliament, but the Norwegian royal family still plays a role in promoting the wealthy Scandinavian nation around the world.
