Norway’s churches hold services to late King Harald

**Norwegian Churches Hold Memorial Services for Late King Harald**

Oslo, Norway – Churches across Norway conducted memorial services on Sunday to honor King Harald V, who died on Friday, August 28, 2026, at the age of 86. The services were attended by members of the public, clergy, and the royal family, including the newly crowned King Haakon VIII, who participated in a service at the Asker Church, located just south of the capital.

The national period of mourning declared by the government has led to large crowds gathering at venues such as Oslo Cathedral, where the government delegation took part in the ceremony. Hundreds of people lined up early in the morning to secure seats for the service.

Among those waiting was Aud Ragnhild Skar, a lecturer at the University of Oslo, who told AFP that attending the service felt “natural” and expressed a desire to share in the collective grief. “I’ve been deeply affected by the fact that King Harald has died. I felt a desire to be part of the community and to share the grief over his passing,” Skar said.

Nurse Sissel Engedal, also in line, described the late monarch as “a very significant and important and beloved king.”

King Harald’s 35‑year reign was marked by both widespread public support and a series of scandals involving members of the royal family in its later years. Despite these controversies, the king remained a popular figure in Norway.

A date for King Harald’s funeral has not yet been announced. The new monarch, King Haakon VIII, is scheduled to take the oath of allegiance in the Norwegian parliament (Storting) on Tuesday, August 31, 2026.

The memorial services and the ongoing period of mourning reflect the nation’s respect for the late king’s contributions and the continuity of the constitutional monarchy.

Article and image source: thelocal.no