Norway has held a state funeral for King Harald V, who died at the age of 89, marking the end of a 35-year reign. The ceremony in Oslo drew tens of thousands of citizens and foreign dignitaries, including royalty from across Europe and leaders from over 20 countries. The funeral, which followed 13 days of national mourning, featured a 21-gun salute and a procession through Oslo’s main avenue, with the king’s casket carried on an artillery carriage draped in Norway’s red royal banner and adorned with white flowers.

The event was attended by King Haakon VIII, who succeeded Harald, and other members of the royal family, including Queen Sonja, 89, and Queen Mette-Marit, who is recovering from a lung transplant. The service included participation from European royalty, including Prince William and Princess Anne of Britain, King Felipe and Queen Letizia of Spain, and the royal families of Sweden, Denmark, the Netherlands, and Japan. Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and political leaders from more than 20 countries also attended.

Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre praised Harald for his balance between tradition and approachability, noting his role in fostering a sense of national unity. The funeral was described as the largest security operation in the history of the Norwegian police, with over 46,000 citizens visiting the casket in the past week. Schoolchildren were allowed to miss classes for the occasion, reflecting the national significance of the event.

Despite the monarchy’s popularity, with 72% of Norwegians supporting it, the royal family has faced recent controversies. Queen Mette-Marit, 53, has been under public scrutiny for her past association with the late US sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. Her son, Marius Borg Høiby, who is under house arrest for a rape and domestic violence conviction, was permitted to attend the funeral and served as a pall-bearer during the transfer of Harald’s coffin to the royal chapel.

The funeral also marked the end of a period of turmoil for the Norwegian royal family, with Harald’s death occurring amid ongoing public debates about the institution’s role in modern Norway. While the monarchy remains broadly supported, the recent scandals have raised questions about its future.

What remains unknown is the full extent of the royal family’s internal discussions regarding the future of the monarchy and how the recent controversies will affect its public image. The funeral, while a moment of national unity, also highlights the complex challenges facing the institution in an evolving political landscape.