Royals arrive in Oslo for a final farewell to Harald V: King Felipe of Spain leads the dignitaries ahead of midday funeral

Global leaders and royal figures from across Europe and around the world have gathered in Norway today for the funeral of King Harald V, marking the final farewell to the beloved monarch after a 35-year reign. Ahead of today's service, which takes place at 1pm local time, European royalty were spotted arriving at the five-star Grand Hotel in Oslo. Having landed at Oslo Airport on 8 September, Spain's King Felipe and seemingly Queen Letizia were photographed exiting a bus before entering the luxury hotel. The Spanish King waved at cameras as he walked on a red carpet toward the entrance of the lobby, dressed in dark grey suit, a white shirt and black tie and carrying his own beige-toned duffel bag. Several royals also arrived at King Felipe's hotel on Tuesday, with Luxembourg's former Grand Duke Henri, Princess Alexia of Greece, and Carlos Morales Quintana stepping off a bus, while Japan's Crown Prince Akishino and Crown Princess Kiko arrived in a Mercedes-Benz. According to TV 2, many of these high-profile guests opted for shared transit later that day. Pictured: Spain's King Felipe waving at cameras as he walked on a red carpet toward the entrance of Oslo's Grand Hotel, dressed in dark grey suit and carrying his own beige-toned duffel bag Pictured: Sweden's King Carl Gustaf and Queen Silvia sit on board a bus at the GA terminal at Oslo Airport in Gardermoen on the day of Norway's King Harald's funeral, Norway, September 9, 2026 Pictured: Belgium's King Philippe and Queen Mathilde sit on board a bus as they arrive at the GA terminal at Oslo Airport in Gardermoen on the day of Norway's King Harald's funeral, Norway, September 9, 2026On 8 September, a group including Felipe, Letizia, Henri, the Serbian Crown Prince couple, Prince Alois of Liechtenstein, Princess Alexia, and Queen Anne-Marie of Greece all took a bus together to the Palace. Passing away on 28 August aged 89, King Harald V was Europe's oldest reigning sovereign, ruling over Norway for 35 years. Yet, despite modernising his family's rule over the years, he refused to step down like other ageing monarchs. His son immediately became King Haakon VIII and last week pledged an oath of allegiance to Norway's constitution in parliament.Today, the coffin will be taken from the royal palace to Oslo Cathedral in a procession, followed by Haakon, other senior Norwegian royals, foreign guests and representatives of Norway's parliament and others. In attendance will be The Netherlands' King Willem-Alexander, Queen Maxima, Princess Beatrix and Princess Catherina-Amalia, along with Prince William, Princess Anne, Denmark's King Frederik, Queen Mary, Crown Prince Christian and Princess Benedikte. Other royal guests include Sweden's King Carl XVI Gustaf, Queen Silvia, Crown Princess Victoria, Prince Carl Philip, Princess Sofia, Princess Madeleine and Princess Christina. Ahead of the funeral, Norwegians have waited patiently to file past Harald's coffin as it lay in state in the chapel of the royal palace in Oslo, with the queue stretching seven hours long over the weekend. Pictured: A portrait of late King Harald V is displayed in the window of a shop near the Oslo Cathedral in Oslo, Norway on September 9, 2026, on the day of his state funeral Italy's Minister of Economy and Finance Giancarlo Giorgetti arrives at the GA terminal at Oslo Airport in Gardermoen on the day of Norway's King Harald's funeral Police and press in place on a roof in central Oslo before the coffin of Norway's King Harald V is carried from the Palace to Oslo Cathedral for the funeral, in Oslo, Norway Pictured: Police march in Karl Johans gate before the funeral of King Harald V in Olso, Norway, Wednesday, Sept. 9, 2026 Large crowds are expected in Oslo today for the funeral, with the downtown area closed to vehicles and electric scootersLarge crowds are expected in the capital today for the funeral, with the downtown area closed to vehicles and electric scooters. Police have instructed people not to bring bicycles, umbrellas or sharp objects. Large screens have also been erected for people to watch the ceremony.A minute's silence will be held across Norway at the start of the funeral ceremony. Eulogies will be delivered by Norway's parliament speaker and prime minister, and there will be a candle-lighting ceremony with representatives of different faiths.After the funeral, Harald's coffin will be taken in a procession to the palace chapel at Akershus Castle, where the late king's ancestors are buried. After a private ceremony for the Norwegian royals, who will be joined by some of the foreign guests and senior Norwegian officials, it will be lowered into the crypt.Norway's monarchy traces its origins to King Harald Fairhair in the ninth century. When Norway regained its independence from Sweden in 1905, three-quarters of voters in a national plebiscite approved restoring the monarchy.Today, the throne's role is largely symbolic and power lies with the elected government and parliament, but the Norwegian royal family retains a role in promoting the wealthy Scandinavian nation around the world.