The coffin of King Harald V traveled through Norway’s royal palace to its chapel on Monday, accompanied by the newly elevated Queen Mette-Marit in her initial official appearance following her ascension to the role. Harald died Friday at the age of 89, triggering a succession in which his son became King Haakon VIII, his daughter-in-law assumed the title of queen, and his granddaughter Ingrid Alexandra became crown princess and heir to the throne.
The new king, age 53, is scheduled to take the oath to Norway’s constitution on Tuesday. His forthcoming responsibilities include addressing challenges facing the monarchy stemming from controversies surrounding his wife’s previous associations with deceased financier Jeffrey Epstein and his stepson’s conviction on rape charges.
Mette-Marit has maintained limited public visibility following a lung transplant procedure in June. She has contended with pulmonary fibrosis since receiving a diagnosis in 2018, a degenerative condition characterized by lung tissue damage and scarring that can result in severe respiratory difficulties and currently lacks a cure.
During Monday’s procession, Mette-Marit and Queen Sonja, Harald’s widow, walked together while holding hands behind the coffin. The nation has observed an official mourning period marked by public tributes of flowers, written messages, and candles placed at the royal palace, where the coffin arrived late Friday from the hospital.
The coffin remained in the palace’s Red Salon through the weekend before proceeding to the chapel on Monday, where it will stay until the funeral service. Beginning Tuesday, members of the public will be permitted to visit the chapel to pay respects. The funeral is scheduled for Sept. 9.
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