The King and Queen Attend Memorial Service for 22 July
Photo: Ola Vatn / The Royal Court
On the 15th anniversary of the terror attacks on the government quarter and Utøya, King Harald and Queen Sonja attended the memorial service in Oslo Cathedral. 77 roses were placed by the altar, one for each of those killed.
22 July 2026 marks 15 years since the terror attacks on the government quarter and Utøya, in which 77 people lost their lives, eight in the government quarter and 69 at the AUF summer camp on Utøya. 33 of those killed were under 18. The day was marked with a memorial service in Oslo Cathedral, attended by King Harald and Queen Sonja.
King Harald and Queen Sonja during the memorial service in Oslo Cathedral. Photo: Ola Vatn / The Royal Court
In memory of the 77 who were killed, 77 roses were placed by the altar, arranged in the shape of a heart.
77 roses, one for each of those who lost their lives, were placed by the altar. Photo: Anette Ask / The Royal Court
The service opened with the hymn "Å leva, det er å elska". Fredrik Sletbakk Olsborg, parish priest on Frøya and himself a survivor of Utøya, led the prayer, and the Oslo Cathedral Choir sang. "Til ungdommen", the song that became a national hymn of comfort in the days after the attacks, was also performed.
Dean Pål Kristian Balstad gave the sermon. Photo: Ola Vatn / The Royal Court
"This day touches us deeply. For some, a deep sorrow. For others, a deep commitment," Dean Pål Kristian Balstad said in his sermon, highlighting the importance of community and the support groups formed after the attacks.
Minister of International Development Åsmund Aukrust spoke during the service: "We will never be finished with the grief for those we lost. We will never be finished fighting the hatred that killed."
Bereaved family members, survivors and representatives of AUF and the national support group lit candles during the service. Photo: Anette Ask / The Royal Court
Candles were lit by, among others, Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre, bereaved family members, survivors and representatives of AUF and the national support group. Minister of Finance Jens Stoltenberg, who was Prime Minister when the attacks struck, was also present.
Queen Sonja walking down the centre aisle of Oslo Cathedral. Photo: Ola Vatn / The Royal Court
King Harald during the memorial service. Photo: Ola Vatn / The Royal Court
The day after the attacks in 2011, King Harald addressed the Norwegian people with words that have endured: "I hold fast to the belief that freedom is stronger than fear. I hold fast to the belief in an open Norwegian democracy and society."