Denmark’s Queen Mary has appeared emotional as she remembered how the late King Harald V of Norway helped her when she was new to her royal role more than 20 years ago.
The queen’s comments come as royals from around the world prepare to arrive in Norway to farewell the monarch, who died last week aged 89.
Denmark’s Queen Mary and King Frederik carried out a state visit to Norway in 2024, where they spent time with King Harald V and Queen Sonja, further cementing the historic ties between the two countries. AP
Queen Mary, 54, was asked about Harald’s death on Wednesday as she returned to official duties following a summer break.
“King Harald was such a nice person,” Queen Mary told reporters at Danish magazine BILLED-BLADET.
“It was always a real pleasure to be in his company. I understand why he is called ‘the grandfather of all Norway’ because he always had an eye for his fellow human beings.
“I, personally, experienced his great care and thoughtfulness in my first meeting with him when I was completely new to my role as Crown Princess [of Denmark]. He will be missed.”
Tasmanian-born Mary became crown princess of Denmark in 2004 when she married the now King Frederik, who was heir to the throne. They had met in a Sydney pub during the 2000 Olympics.
Frederik ascended to the throne in January 2024 when his mother Queen Margrethe II abdicated following a 52-year reign.
Denmark and Norway, along with neighbouring Sweden, have historically shared close ties because of the Kalmar Union, when the three kingdoms were brought together under a single monarch from 1397 until 1523.
Queen Mary spoke about the late King Harald V, recalling how he helped her when she was new to her royal role. Getty
The bonds continue to this day and the royals of all three countries are not only related through previous royal marriages, but are colleagues and close friends.
For their first state visit as king and queen of Denmark, Frederik and Mary chose Norway in May, 2024.
King Frederik X and Queen Mary are close to Norway’s new royal couple, King Haakon VIII and Queen Mette-Marit. Like Mary, Mette-Marit was a commoner before marrying into Norway’s royal family in 2001.
Queen Mary said of the change of throne: “The Norwegian royal couple know that our thoughts are with them at a time of great change. They know that they have our full support and backing.”
Days earlier King Frederik paid tribute to Harald saying: “I remember him as a loveable person, my uncle”.
King Frederik and Queen Mary have long been close to Norway’s royal family, due to historic ties and their shared ancestors. Rodrigo Freitas, Pool Photo via AP
“To me, he was a warm and funny person who always had the right thing to say.
“I have full confidence in King Haakon…He needs time to establish himself in his new role as king and I look forward to helping him in every way.”
Norway’s royal family has seen a rise in support, new polling suggests, after a turbulent few years plagued by health challenges and controversy.
Queen Mette-Marit was forced to miss her husband’s historic swearing-in ceremony on Tuesday because of complications after her recent lung transplant.
The 53-year-old was formally inaugurated with an oath to uphold the constitution in Norway’s parliament with his daughter, the new Crown Princess Ingrid Alexandra by his side. Ingrid Alexandra, 22, also signed an oath of allegiance and can now serve as regent, when called upon.
Queen Mette-Marit had been admitted to hospital earlier on Tuesday, missing a key moment of her husband’s new reign.
Haakon VIII was sworn in as Norway’s king on Tuesday with his daughter, Crown Princess Ingrid, by his side. Queen Mette-Marit was forced to miss the ceremony after she was placed under medical observation. Lise Aserud/Pool Photo via AP
She had been taking a prominent role in the mourning events following her father-in-law’s death, despite doctors saying she would need a year away from official duties to recover from her transplant.
On Monday, Queen Mette-Marit joined a procession of the late king’s children and grandchildren as they carried his coffin through the Royal Palace.
Controversially, her son Marius Borg Høiby, was included in the procession after he was convicted of rape and assault in June and jailed for four years. His legal team has appealed the verdict.
King Haakon VIII carried his father’s coffin through the Royal Palace, accompanied by the late King Harald V’s daughter Princess Martha Louise, Crown Princess Ingrid Alexandra and Marius Borg Høiby (back, right). AP
Høiby, 29, was given special permission from police to be there and has also been given leave from house arrest to attend his grandfather’s funeral on Wednesday.
Royals from around the world to attend king’s funeral
King Harald V will be farewelled in a state funeral on Wednesday September 9 inside Oslo Cathedral.
It is expected to be the largest gathering of royalty since the funeral of Pope Francis in April 2024 and the coronation of King Charles III in May 2023.
Denmark’s King Frederik and Queen Mary will attend King Harald’s funeral on Wednesday. Getty
Denmark’s King Frederik X and Queen Mary will be there, while other Danish royals, such as Queen Margrethe II and her two sisters Princess Benedikte and Queen Anne-Marie of Greece, will confirm their attendance next week.
All of Sweden’s adult royals will be present: King Carl XVI Gustaf and his wife Queen Silvia, Crown Princess Victoria and Prince Daniel, Prince Carl Philip and Princess Sofia and Princess Madeleine and Christopher O’Neill.
King Willem-Alexander and Queen Maxima of the Netherlands will be there along with their daughter, Princess Catharina-Amalia, and Princess Beatrix.
Belgium’s King Philippe and Queen Mathilde will also attend along with Crown Prince Akishino and Crown Princess Kiko of Japan.
Other royals yet to confirm their attendance, but are likely to be there, include those from Britain, Jordan, Monaco and Spain.
The Royal Houses of Denmark and Sweden, share historically close ties with Norway. Sean Gallup/WireImage
The Prince of Wales is expected to represent his father King Charles, as he did at the most recent funeral of a sovereign, Pope Francis, who was head of state of the Vatican.
The decision will keep with modern tradition that British sovereigns don’t attend the funerals of other monarchs. Charles, as the Prince of Wales, went to Pope John Paul II’s funeral, representing his mother in 2005.