The royal family came out to the crowd unannounced: "Long live the King"
Photo: Ole Berg-Rusten / NTB
King Harald’s coffin was carried in procession from the Red Drawing Room to the Palace Chapel on Monday. An hour and a half later the royal family came out onto the Palace Square unannounced. As they went back inside, one person called out "Heia kongen", and the crowd answered with applause and the national anthem.
King Harald's coffin was carried in procession from the Red Drawing Room to the Palace Chapel on Monday afternoon. The King's children and grandchildren carried the coffin through the halls of the Palace. An hour and a half later the royal family came out onto the Palace Square unannounced, and were met with applause and the national anthem.
King Haakon, Prince Sverre Magnus, Crown Princess Ingrid Alexandra and Princess Märtha Louise carry the coffin through the halls of the Palace. Queen Sonja follows behind. Photo: Ole Berg-Rusten / NTB
• The procession through the Palace
The procession began at 4pm. According to the Palace's press release, King Harald's children and grandchildren carried the coffin through the halls of the Palace, while Queen Mette-Marit and Queen Sonja took part in the procession. In the Great Hall the adjutant staff took over and carried the coffin on to the Palace Chapel.
Queen Mette-Marit and Queen Sonja walked hand in hand through the Palace. Photo: NTB
A private memorial gathering was then held there for the family, the court and the adjutant staff.
In the chapel the coffin rests on a purple catafalque, surrounded by wreaths and flowers. The crown is placed at the head end, while the sword of state, the sceptre and the orb lie on the coffin. In front of the coffin, the King's Norwegian, Danish, Swedish and British orders are displayed.
A similar transfer from the Red Drawing Room to the Palace Chapel was carried out after King Olav V's death in 1991.
• An unannounced appearance
Just after 5.30pm the doors out towards the Palace Square opened. Out came King Haakon, Queen Mette-Marit, Queen Sonja and Princess Märtha Louise. The two queens came out of the Palace hand in hand.
The appearance had not been announced in advance, and came as a surprise to the crowd after the ceremony inside the Palace. According to VG's reporters at the scene, the Palace Square fell completely silent as the family came out.
Queen Sonja, Princess Märtha Louise, King Haakon and Queen Mette-Marit on their way to the sea of flowers. Photo: NTB
King Haakon, Princess Märtha Louise, Queen Sonja and Queen Mette-Marit on the Palace Square on Monday afternoon. Photo: Gisle Oddstad / VG
They brought red roses, which they laid in the sea of flowers. The King crouched down to place his rose among the flowers.
The royal family laid red roses in the sea of flowers. Photo: NTB
• Visibly moved
The queens and the princess were visibly moved and in tears.
Princess Märtha Louise wiped away tears as the King laid down his rose. Photo: NTB
Queen Sonja and Princess Märtha Louise held hands as they looked out across the sea of flowers.
Princess Märtha Louise supported her mother, Queen Sonja. Photo: NTB
The family also stopped to read several of the cards people have left. After Queen Mette-Marit had read some of them, she could be seen saying "thank you so much" to the crowd.
The royal family at the sea of flowers, with the public gathered close behind. Photo: VG
• "Long live the King"
Before the family went back inside, they turned towards the crowd and put their hands to their hearts.
As they were going in, one person called out "Heia kongen", meaning "Long live the King". It was met with applause from the crowd, and several began to sing the national anthem.
It was the first time since the succession that the royal family greeted the crowd out on the Palace Square.
The Palace Square has been full of people every day since the King’s death. Photo: Ronja Sagstuen Larsen / VG
Tens of thousands have come to the Palace since King Harald died peacefully at Rikshospitalet at 6.35 on Friday morning. Among the flowers lie Norwegian flags, candles, cards and drawings from children.
Flowers, flags, candles, cards and children’s drawings on the Palace Square. Photo: Ronja Sagstuen Larsen / VG
• What happens on Tuesday
At 1pm on Tuesday 1 September, King Haakon VIII takes the oath before the Storting. At 2pm the Palace Chapel opens to the public, and from 2 September the chapel is open for the public to file past from 10am to 6pm every day, until 6pm on the day before the funeral.
The funeral will be held in Oslo Cathedral at 1pm on Wednesday 9 September.
RoyMob will continue to follow the mourning ceremonies in the days ahead.