These past couple of weeks have been an emotional time for Norwegians. King Harald V passed away in his sleep on August 28, 2026, while hospitalized for a rare blood condition. He was 89 years old and had reigned as king for 35 years. The news brought mourners out en masse to the Royal Palace in Oslo (photo above) and to gathering places in communities across the country. They left flowers and flags along with drawings and words of condolences. Then a few days later, they stood in line—some for up to 7 hours—for the opportunity to pay their last respects in front of his coffin in the Royal Chapel.

Permission to share granted

On September 9, the funeral took place in Oslo, attended by royalty and dignitaries from around the world. The coffin was transported from the Royal Chapel to Oslo Cathedral in a solemn and regal procession. Soldiers stood as honor guard along the route while a military band played Sørgemarsj, a funeral march by Norwegian composer Ole Olsen. The royal family and dignitaries followed behind the coffin by foot, while thousands of Norwegians had gathered along the route to watch the procession in person. Following the service at Oslo Cathedral, the coffin was taken to Akershus Fortress for a private burial in the Royal Mausoleum. You can follow the day’s events at Associated Press’ YouTube coverage of the funeral.

Credit: Kongehuset

I didn’t expect the news of the King’s passing to affect me as much as it did. I’ve always been a fan and admirer of the Norwegian royal family. Over the years, there have been some connection points that have made the royal family feel less distant. King Harald and Queen Sonja shared the same anniversary date as my parents, August 29. Their children, Haakon and Märtha Louise, were born the same years as my sister and me. They even attended the same public elementary school in Oslo that I did. Additionally, my grandfather and King Harald shared a passion for sailing. They both sailed at multiple Olympic Games overlapping at the 1964 Olympics in Tokyo. And like his father before him, the now-King Haakon married a commoner, Mette-Marit, just as his father had married Sonja in 1968. All of these little facts have made the royal family feel a bit more familiar and relatable.

King Harald was known as The People’s King. I always admired the way he and Queen Sonja interacted with the people of Norway as they traveled throughout the country on official business. He seemed genuinely kind, approachable, and sympathetic. King Harald was a sports enthusiast. Many referred to him as The Sports King. He not only enjoyed participating in sports himself, but he regularly attended sporting events at home and abroad to cheer on Norwegian athletes. If he had been in better health, I’m sure he would have been at the World Cup matches this past summer. I loved seeing him greet the Norwegian players upon their return home after their last match.

Credit: Kongehuset

Alongside mourning King Harald, I have been in great awe of the new King Haakon VIII (age 53) and his daughter, Crown Princess Ingrid Alexandra (age 22). She has been sworn in officially as well and has been attending all official events with her father. All of this has been happening while his wife/her mother/the queen is recovering from a lung transplant that took place in June. Just a few days after King Harald’s death, Queen Mette-Marit experienced complications and was hospitalized, although thankfully discharged relatively quickly. I can’t imagine the stress and emotions the royal family has been experiencing during this difficult time.

Despite the controversies surrounding the Norwegian royal family in recent years, I will continue to follow and support them. I’m eager to see how King Haakon VIII fills the shoes of his father and how Crown Princess Ingrid Alexandra’s life unfolds. I hope that Queen Sonja finds comfort in the many happy memories of her life with King Harald and that Queen Mette-Marit continues to recover and regain her health.

Are you a fan of or curious about the Norwegian royal family? Here’s some material for your viewing and reading pleasure.

Film & Miniseries (+ Book) Featuring the Norwegian Royal Family
(in historical chronological order)

Feature Film: The King’s Choice (Kongens nei) directed by Erik Poppe

This is a World War II historical drama that centers on King Haakon VII (grandfather of deceased King Harald) during the first three days of the German invasion in April 1940. He had to make the decision whether Norway should surrender or resist. (Released 2016)

PBS Masterpiece Miniseries: Atlantic Crossing 

This is an eight-part historical miniseries that follows the royal family’s escape to the United States after the 1940 Nazi invasion. Crown Princess Märtha fled with her three children, including 3-year-old Prince Harald, while Crown Prince Olav and King Haakon VII joined Norway’s government-in-exile in London. After first reaching safety in Sweden, the family made its way to the United States, where they spent much time with President Franklin D. Roosevelt. (Released 2021)

Book: ​​The Prince and the Nanny: The Life of Prince Harald, now King of Norway, as Told in Historical Context and Through the Journal of His Nurse, Inga Berg by Odell M. Bjerkness (Published 2009)

From the Amazon description, “While Nurse Inga Berg was living in the royal household, she was in a unique position to observe and take part in the life of the Royal Family. She recorded in her diary the young Prince’s development. She also described her everyday experiences with the royal family, providing a rare glimpse into the private lives of Crown Prince Olav, Crown Princess Martha, King Haakon, Queen Maud, Princesses Astrid and Ragnhild, and young Prince Harald.”

Amazon Prime Series: The Commoner / Harald & Sonja 

This is a biographical drama series that chronicles the nine-year secret romance and struggle between then-Crown Prince Harald and commoner Sonja Haraldsen as they fought for permission to marry. The Norwegian constitution barred Harald from marrying without royal consent. (Released 2025)