- The coffin of late King Harald V of Norway traveled through the royal palace to its chapel on Monday, with Queen Mette-Marit joining the procession in her first official appearance since assuming the title.
- Mette-Marit and Queen Sonja, Harald’s widow, held hands and walked behind the coffin during Monday’s procession.
- The coffin stayed in the palace’s Red Salon over the weekend before traveling to the royal chapel on Monday, where it will remain until the funeral. The public can go to the chapel to pay their respects to the late king beginning Tuesday.
- Haakon, 53, will take the oath to Norway’s constitution on Tuesday.
- Haakon's tasks in the near future will include shoring up support for the monarchy following controversies over his wife’s past contacts with deceased sex offender Jeffrey Epstein and his stepson’s rape conviction.
Queen Mette-Marit joined the procession of late King Harald V's coffin to the royal chapel on Monday, marking her first public appearance since her lung transplant in June. The late king passed away on Friday at age 89, leading to his son, Crown Prince Haakon, becoming King Haakon VIII.
During the procession, Mette-Marit and Queen Sonja, Harald's widow, held hands as they walked behind the coffin. The royal family and the nation are currently in an official state of mourning, with many Norwegians expressing their grief by laying flowers and lighting candles at the royal palace in Oslo.
The coffin remained in the palace's Red Salon over the weekend before being transported to the royal chapel, where it will stay until the funeral on September 9. The public will be able to pay their respects starting Tuesday, as reported by Norwegian broadcaster NRK. On the same day, Haakon, 53, will take the oath to Norway's constitution, a significant step as he prepares to lead the monarchy amid challenges, including controversies surrounding his wife's past and his stepson's legal issues.345
Mette-Marit has been largely absent from public life due to her health struggles, having been diagnosed with pulmonary fibrosis in 2018, a progressive disease affecting lung tissue.
“The public can pay respects at the chapel beginning Tuesday, as the coffin remains there until the funeral. Haakon, 53, faces the task of shoring up support for the monarchy following controversies over his wife's Epstein contacts and his stepson's rape conviction.”
