Støre on the funeral: "We will lay the King to rest the week after next"
Photo: Hanna Johre / NTB
Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre has given the first indication of when King Harald will be laid to rest. The Palace has not yet announced a date. When King Olav died in 1991, 13 days passed before the funeral.
Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre has given the first indication of when King Harald V will be laid to rest. "We will lay the King to rest the week after next," he told NRK on Sunday, after attending the memorial service in Oslo Cathedral.
Flags fly at half-mast in Karl Johans gate, where people walked up towards the Palace on Sunday. Photo: Hanna Johre / NTB
He put it slightly differently to VG: "We will lay him to rest in a few days."
Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre. Photo: Ole Berg-Rusten / NTB
The Palace has not yet announced a date. Judging by Støre's wording, VG notes that it could be week 37, that is the week from Monday 7 to Sunday 13 September.
• It took 13 days for King Olav
The last time Norway faced a comparable situation was in 1991. King Olav V died on 17 January that year, and 13 days passed before the funeral took place in Oslo Cathedral on 30 January. A large crowd followed the coffin through Oslo before the King was laid to rest in the Royal Mausoleum at Akershus Castle.
King Harald is expected to be buried from Oslo Cathedral and laid to rest in the same mausoleum, where his parents King Olav and Crown Princess Märtha also rest.
• A full Oslo Cathedral
Oslo Cathedral was filled to capacity during the memorial service on Sunday. Photo: Lise Åserud / NTB
The memorial service in Oslo Cathedral was led by Bishop Sunniva Gylver and was broadcast live. Dean Pål Kristian Balstad opened the service:
"This Sunday is different. His Majesty King Harald is dead. A family has lost its husband, father, grandfather and father-in-law. Our thoughts are with them in their grief. We have lost our beloved king," he said.
From the memorial service in Oslo Cathedral on Sunday. Photo: Stian Lysberg Solum / NTB
In her sermon, Bishop Gylver noted that the service came the day after the royal couple's wedding anniversary, and that they were married in this very church:
"Yesterday was Queen Sonja and King Harald's wedding anniversary. Fifty-eight years ago yesterday they said yes to each other right here. Full of joy after nine years of persevering for their love. Today we are gathered here, and in churches and on screens, for a memorial service," she said.
"We are here to mourn the death of King Harald V. To remember, to honour, to share. To sing and pray, to listen, to light candles. And to be silent together."
The service closed with communion. At the same time, people continued to stream to the Palace Square to lay down flowers, flags and candles.
RoyMob will continue to follow the mourning ceremonies in the days ahead.