Britain’s Prince William will represent King Charles at the funeral of Norway’s late King Harald on September 9. Buckingham Palace has confirmed this. Princess Anne will also attend the ceremony in a personal capacity.
London: Britain’s Prince William will represent his father King Charles at the funeral of Norway’s late King Harald on September 9. Buckingham Palace confirmed this on Saturday. William had also attended the funeral of Pope Francis last year on behalf of King Charles.
William will attend the funeral in place of King Charles
Prince William, heir to the British royal family, will attend the funeral of Norway’s King Harald on behalf of the British monarch. The funeral will be held on 9 September in Oslo Cathedral.
According to Buckingham Palace, Prince William will represent Britain at the state occasion in place of King Charles. This arrangement is in line with the established tradition of the British Royal Family, under which the British monarch does not usually personally attend the funerals of heads of state of other countries.
Instead another senior member of the royal family is sent to represent the monarch. William’s presence at King Harald’s funeral will be under this protocol.
Prince William also went to the funeral of Pope Francis
This is not the first time for Prince William to represent his father at an international state funeral. He also attended Pope Francis’ funeral last year on behalf of King Charles.
Now William’s presence at the funeral of King Harald of Norway also underlines the familial ties between the British royal family and the Norwegian royal family.
King Charles expressed his condolences on the death of King Harald last week, calling him his “dear cousin”. The family ties between Charles and Harald trace back to Britain’s former monarch, King Edward VII. Both were each other’s second cousins once removed.
King Charles expressed grief over Harald’s death
King Charles, who is being treated for an undisclosed form of cancer, continues to remain active in public engagements. He expressed his condolences to King Harald after his death.
Charles and Harald’s relationship was not limited to official or diplomatic relations only. Both were related to two major royal families of Europe and had a family relationship.
The condolence message issued by Charles after Harald’s death reflected his personal attachment to him. Now William’s participation in the funeral on behalf of the British monarch is being seen as another link in this relationship.
Princess Anne will also attend the funeral
King Charles’s sister Princess Anne will also attend King Harald’s funeral. However, his presence will not be to officially represent King Charles.
Princess Anne will attend the funeral in a personal capacity. She is the godmother of Norway’s new King Haakon VIII. Because of this, attending his funeral is linked to personal and family ties.
In this way, both Prince William and Princess Anne will be present at the funeral on behalf of the British royal family, but both will attend in different capacities.
King Harald dies at the age of 89
King Harald of Norway died on August 28 at the age of 89. His death was followed by widespread mourning in Norway. He was among the country’s most popular monarchs and was known for his warm demeanor, sense of humor and easy-going public style.
Harald ruled as king of Norway for approximately 35 years. During this time, he is also being remembered as the monarch who gave a modern form to the monarchy of Norway.
His public image remained relatively relaxed, unlike the formality of traditional monarchy. For this reason he was also praised as an inclusive “People’s King”.
The funeral will be held in Oslo Cathedral
King Harald’s funeral will take place on September 9 in Oslo Cathedral. The ceremony will be attended by mourners, including his wife Queen Sonja.
Following the death of King Harald, his long reign and public life are being remembered in Norway. During his 35-year rule, he played an important role in maintaining the public’s relationship with the country’s monarchy.
The presence of European royal families at his funeral also makes the event internationally significant. Prince William representing Britain also highlights the historic family ties between the two royal families.
The decision was taken under British royal protocol
King Charles not personally attending the funeral is in line with British royal protocol. The British monarch does not normally attend the funerals of heads of state of other countries and is represented by another member of the royal family.
Sending Prince William under this arrangement is also important because he is the heir to the British throne. This also gives them the role of representing the British Royal Family at the international level.
His presence at the funeral of Pope Francis last year was an example of such responsibility. Now his presence in Norway will ensure official representation on behalf of Britain.
Norway will bid farewell to King Harald’s 35-year-long reign with the funeral. The presence of Prince William on behalf of Britain and Princess Anne in person will also reflect the familial and historical ties between European royal families.