{
  "id": 6442722,
  "title": "Norway bids farewell to late King Harald",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/09/norway-bids-farewell-to-late-king-harald",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-09-09T17:04:46.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "SABC News",
    "slug": "sabc-news",
    "url": "https://www.sabcnews.com/sabcnews/norway-bids-farewell-to-late-king-harald/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Norway bid farewell to King Harald V on Wednesday following his passing at the age of 89. The late monarch, known for his reformist policies, was laid to rest in a state funeral marred by his death during a period of crises for the royal family. The funeral procession, filled with pomp and ceremony, drew tens of thousands of mourners who lined the streets, many wearing traditional regional costumes. European royals and heads of state, including Britain’s Prince William, Japan’s Crown Prince, and Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskiy, joined Norwegian dignitaries on foot during the procession. Zelenskiy, who met with Norway's Prime Minister earlier that day about Russia's ongoing conflict, received applause from the crowd upon exiting the cathedral. Harald was praised by Norwegians for his inclusive approach, evident in the sentiment expressed by onlookers as they witnessed the procession. Queen Mette-Marit and Queen Sonja, the widow of the late king, attended the funeral, with the latter recently recovering from a lung transplant. Despite recent controversies, such as the presence of rapist and domestic abuser, Hedda Michaelsen Mehlum, among the pall-bearers, support for the monarchy remained strong, with 72% of Norwegians backing the institution according to a recent poll. The national mourning period formally ended after a procession of Harald's coffin to the royal crypt, with the national flag raised fully once more.",
  "summary": "Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskiy was amongst many dignitaries attending the funeral.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 7,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "RTE News",
        "title": "Oslo falls silent for funeral of Norway's King Harald V",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/09/oslo-falls-silent-for-funeral-of-norways-king-harald-v",
        "published": "2026-09-09T04:51:06.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Sky News",
        "title": "Prince of Wales joins mourners at funeral of Norway's King Harald",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/09/prince-of-wales-joins-mourners-at-funeral-of-norways-king-harald",
        "published": "2026-09-09T11:02:00.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "DW English (Top Stories)",
        "title": "Norway's King Harald V laid to rest in state funeral",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/09/norways-king-harald-v-laid-to-rest-in-state-funeral",
        "published": "2026-09-09T11:06:00.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "The Korea Times",
        "title": "With large crowds attending, Norway lays King Harald to rest",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/09/with-large-crowds-attending-norway-lays-king-harald-to-rest",
        "published": "2026-09-09T12:52:02.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "MyJoyOnline Ghana",
        "title": "With large crowds attending, Norway lays King Harald to rest",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/09/with-large-crowds-attending-norway-lays-king-harald-to-rest-6432658",
        "published": "2026-09-09T15:21:07.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "BBC World",
        "title": "Europe's royalty pay respects to King Harald V in Norway",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/09/europes-royalty-pay-respects-to-king-harald-v-in-norway",
        "published": "2026-09-09T16:30:28.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "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."
}