Prince William to represent King Charles at funeral of Norway’s King Harald V

The Prince of Wales is to represent his father at the funeral of King Harald V of Norway next week, Buckingham Palace has announced.

William, the heir to the throne, 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.

Norway has seen an outpouring of grief for the much-loved late monarch, who died on 28 August at the age of 89.

Harald has been hailed as an inclusive “people’s king” who modernised the Norwegian monarchy during his 35-year reign.

His funeral will take place on 9 September at Oslo Cathedral, with mourners including his widow, Sonja, now the queen mother.

In keeping with precedent that the sovereign does not attend funerals of other heads of state, the duty falls to William, a future king, to represent his father and pay his respects at the service.

Charles paid a touching tribute to his “dear cousin” and “much-loved kinsman and friend” after the news of Harald’s death was announced.

In a message of condolence, he praised Harald’s “unwavering dedication” and his “kindness, compassion and deep sense of duty echoed from across the sea and across the decades”.

The late Queen Elizabeth II and King Harald were second cousins. They shared the same great-grandparents, King Edward VII and Queen Alexandra.

In April last year, William represented his father at the funeral of Pope Francis in the Vatican.

William and the now Princess of Wales carried out an official tour to Norway in 2018, dining with King Harald and Queen Sonja at the Royal Palace, where Harald described them as “family” and praised their support of the then Queen.

The Norwegian sovereign processed into the banquet arm in arm with the pregnant Catherine, who was expecting Prince Louis and wearing a flowing Alexander McQueen gown, with the gesture mirrored by Sonja and William who walked behind them.

William and Kate also spent time visiting the ski slopes with the then Crown Prince Haakon and Crown Princess Mette-Marit, now the King and Queen.