Queen Sonja of Norway dons historic brooch to pay tribute to late husband King Harald's profound ties to the British royal family

Key Points:

• The Norwegian royal family solemnly transferred the coffin of the late King Harald V through the Royal Palace of Oslo on 31 August, ahead of his funeral on 9 September, with close family members carrying the bier.
• King Harald, who died at 89, had strong ties to the British royal family, being a second cousin of Queen Elizabeth II, and the funeral procession included symbolic British honors and royal jewelry.
• Queen Sonja wore the Drapers’ Company brooch, a historic piece once owned by King Harald’s British grandmother Queen Maud, highlighting the deep familial connections between Norway and the UK.
• King Charles III paid tribute to King Harald as a “dearly beloved relative and friend,” emphasizing the close historical and familial ties between the British and Norwegian royal houses and their shared history, including during WWII.
• Despite the mourning, the Norwegian royal family faces challenges with public opinion as King Haakon VIII begins his reign amid a period of transition and scrutiny.