{
  "id": 4663668,
  "title": "Slik kan du ta farvel med kong Harald",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/31/slik-kan-du-ta-farvel-med-kong-harald",
  "topic": "business",
  "section": "Business",
  "published": "2026-08-31T15:24:02.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "E24 Norway",
    "slug": "e24-norway",
    "url": "https://e24.no/norsk-oekonomi/i/0pkwno/defilering-ta-farvel-med-kong-harald"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Many were not born or too young to remember when King Olav passed away in 1991. Now, King Harald has also gone, and it is uncertain what will happen next. Traditionally, a procession is expected. This means those who wish may walk slowly past the king's casket to say farewell. The State Chapel opens to the public on Tuesday from 14:00 to 18:00 for the farewell process. Afterwards, the Chapel is open daily from 10:00 to 18:00 until September 8th. The State Chapel is located on the Castle, to the right when standing on Slottsparken. A dedicated wheelchair-accessible entrance will be created. However, one wonders how this will unfold. Carl-Erik Grimstad worked as secretary to Queen Sonja around the time King Olav died in 1991. He recalls long lines to enter the procession. - When it comes, it will likely be three times longer, I presume. - I cannot imagine there will be crowds for many days, as the interest in this succession is greater than in 1991. He describes the tradition as highly solemn and quiet. - There can be no room for personal grief reactions around the casket where people stop, as there is such a long queue. It is expected that people simply pass by. Grimstad believes there will be a larger crowd than in 1991. - It will place greater demands on security and ensure a dignified and proper flow of people. - It is not about rushing past, but respecting everyone's right to be there. According to royal expert Trond Norén Isaksen, the casket will be placed on a catafalque in the State Chapel. The catafalque is an elevated platform in a church where the casket rests during burials. It will be draped in the king's flag, and the crown and royal scepter will rest on the lock. In front, King Harald's Norwegian, Swedish, Danish, and British orders will be displayed on pedestals. They will also display family crests. They will be surrounded by large candelabras and four cadets. Cadets are students at officer academies; they are trained at the War College in Oslo, the Naval College in Bergen, and the Air Force College in Trondheim. Cadets act as honor guards, he explains. The tradition is closed casket in Protestant countries. In Catholic countries, the casket is typically open. - One should not stop and stand, but one can stop for a moment and bow one's head, weep, or kneel if one feels it, says Isaken. It is expected a large turnout from the population during the procession. - We anticipate at least 100,000 people who will pass by to honor King Harald. This estimate is provided by Endre Nedberg, who is a major and communications chief at the Defense Academy. He says they will have four cadets and a guard commander in the State Chapel. The guard commander is an officer from the Naval Academy, Air Force Academy, or War College. They stand for 30 minutes per procession. As to why the monarchy maintains the tradition of the procession, royal expert Ole-Jørgen Schulsrud-Hansen confirms it is old-fashioned, but: - We are talking about a popular king, and it seems unnatural to do it any other way than we did not have an opportunity to say farewell to King Harald, he tells VG. - It is part of the symbolism when a king has gone and a new one has arrived.",
  "summary": "På tirsdag åpner Slottskapellet for alle som vil ta farvel med kong Harald.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "E24 Norway",
        "title": "Kong Harald er død: Dette skjer nå",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/28/kong-harald-er-d-d-dette-skjer-na",
        "published": "2026-08-28T07:50:32.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}