Thousands Honoured the King as the Coffin Was Driven to the Palace
Photo: NTB
King Harald's coffin arrived at the Royal Palace at 7.10 pm on Friday evening. Thousands of people stood in the rain along the route with umbrellas and flags to honour the King one last time.
King Harald's coffin was driven from Rikshospitalet to the Royal Palace on Friday evening. The royal family arrived at the hospital at 6.15 pm, the coffin was lifted into the car at 6.44 pm, and the cortège reached the Palace at 7.10 pm.
The crowds on the Palace Square on Friday. Photo: NTB
Despite the rain, thousands of people had turned out along the route. Many stood with umbrellas and Norwegian flags, others laid flowers and lit candles at the Palace. Among those present were also healthcare workers in uniform.
• The royal family followed the coffin
In the first car were King Haakon VIII, Queen Mette-Marit, Crown Princess Ingrid Alexandra and Prince Sverre Magnus. In the next were Queen Sonja and Princess Märtha Louise. Marius Borg Høiby arrived at the Palace beforehand, at 6.40 pm.
When Crown Princess Ingrid Alexandra saw the many people gathered along the route, she put her hand to her heart.
• The route through Oslo
The cortège drove from the chapel at Rikshospitalet through the city via Majorstuen, Bogstadveien and Hegdehaugsveien, before passing the Queen's Park and turning into the Palace Square.
The sea of flowers in front of the palace entrance has grown through the day. Photo: NTB
King Harald died at Rikshospitalet on Friday morning at 6.35 am, at the age of 89. The same day his son took the throne as King Haakon VIII, continuing the royal motto Alt for Norge, everything for Norway.
RoyMob is following the mourning ceremonies in the days to come.