Royals from around the world are preparing to travel to Oslo to pay their final respects following the death of King Harald V of Norway. The late king ascended to the throne on January 17, 1991, and died at the age of 89 on August 28, after being hospitalised with a blood disorder, haemolytic anaemia.
Official guest lists are still being finalised as European monarchies, extended family members and foreign delegations outline who will represent their respective houses at the upcoming state event in Oslo on Wednesday (September 9). Representing the UK, Prince William will travel to Norway in an official capacity on behalf of his father, King Charles. He will be joined by Princess Anne, who is attending in a personal capacity as the new King Haakon’s godmother. King Charles is following the historical precedent set by his mother, Queen Elizabeth II, who rarely attended foreign state funerals as the reigning monarch.
In Norway itself, step-grandson Marius Borg Høiby, who is the son of Queen Mette-Marit from a previous relationship, has been granted special permission to leave house arrest to attend his step-grandfather’s funeral alongside the immediate royal family. Høiby is currently under house arrest while appealing a four-year prison sentence following his conviction in June 2026 on multiple criminal counts, including two counts of rape and domestic abuse.
He raised eyebrows when he joined the immediate family in carrying the late king’s casket during the private procession from the Royal Palace to the Palace Chapel.
Senior members of European monarchies with close family ties will attend, alongside representatives from non-European royal houses and former reigning families.
Notable figures include King Frederik and Queen Mary of Denmark, Prince Albert of Monaco, King Felipe and Queen Letizia of Spain, and King Carl XVI Gustaf and Queen Silvia of Sweden, as well as potential representatives from Thailand, following their historic attendance at past Norwegian state funerals.
Representing non-European monarchies, Crown Prince Fumihito and Crown Princess Kiko of Japan are confirmed to travel to Oslo to represent the Japanese Imperial Household. Non-European attendance remains highly selective across the board, with official invitations largely restricted to royal houses with deep historical or personal ties to the Norwegian Royal Family.
Outside of direct royal invitations, other non-European nations will be represented by their in-country ambassadors to streamline international security and logistics.
Full list of royals to attend King Harald of Norway’s funeral (as of September 7)