King Harald's final journey begins as royals prepare to accompany him to Palace

A solemn moment is set to unfold in Oslo this evening as King Harald V begins his final journey from hospital to the Royal Palace following his death at the age of 89.

At 6:30pm, the late King’s bier will leave the National Hospital and make its way through the capital, where the Norwegian Royal Family will accompany him on the procession.

King Haakon VIII, Queen Mette-Marit, Crown Princess Ingrid Alexandra, Queen Sonja, Prince Sverre Magnus and Princess Märtha Louise are expected to follow the bier as it travels towards the Palace.

The procession will pass through several familiar Oslo streets, beginning at the chapel at the National Hospital before continuing via Sognsveien and the city’s Ring roads. 

From there, the route will pass through Majorstuen, along Bogstadveien and Hegdehaugsveien, before reaching Parkveien and finally the Royal Palace.

The journey retraces the same path taken on 30 January 1991, when the body of Harald’s father, King Olav V, was transported following his death at the Royal Lodge.

King Harald's death announced

NRK newsreader Petter Oulie-Hauge announced the monarch’s passing on Norway’s public broadcaster, followed by the news that his son had succeeded him as King.