Queen Sonja takes poignant pause before King Harald's sea of flowers

King Haakon, Queen Mette-Marit, Queen Sonja and Princess Märtha Louise were left facing a sea of flowers outside the Royal Palace in Oslo following a private memorial service for King Harald.

The ceremony was open to the public, drawing crowds of mourners who gathered to pay their respects to King Harald before they added their own flowers and reading messages.

Queen Sonja appeared to take a quiet moment for herself as the family absorbed the scale of the public response to Harald’s death. 

Members of the family also acknowledged and thanked those who had come to pay their respects.

The Norwegian Royal House shared a photograph on Instagram showing members of the family gathered at a window, looking out towards the crowds who had come to honour Harald. 

Mette-Marit’s presence at the ceremony has also drawn attention given her recent lung transplant. 

The Crown Princess has been seen at several public events since undergoing the delicate procedure, at times without a face mask, prompting discussion among members of the public about her decision to appear in crowds while recovering.