Norway: King Harald's bier has been transferred to the Palace Chapel

King Harald’s bier has been resting in Den røde salong (The Red Salon, could also translate it into The Red Drawing Room) since its transfer from Rikshospitalet (The National Hospital) last Friday. Today the bier was moved onto a catafalque and draped with Kongeflagget (The Royal Standard, could also be translated into The Royal Banner).

At 4 p.m. today the bier was moved from the Red Salon through various rooms in the Royal Palace to the Palace Chapel. The bier was carried (or rather the catafalque on wheels was pushed lightly) by the children and grandchildren of King Harald V – King Haakon VII, Prince Sverre Magnus, Maud Angelica Behn and Marius Borg Høiby (stepgrandchild) on the left side and Princess Ingrid Alexandra, Princess Märtha Louise, Leah Isadora Behn and Emma Tallulah Behn on the right side. Queen Mette-Marit and Queen Sonja walked behind the bier. The Lord Chamberlain, Olav Heian-Engdal, walked in front of the bier, carrying the Royal Crown on a cushion, while the Head of the Royal Secretariat, Gry Høeg Ulverud, carried the Sword of State. Other leading members of the court carried King Harald's foremost Norwegian, Danish, Swedish, and British orders.

Court and staff members formed an honor guard through the Palace rooms and joined the procession after King Harald’s bier had passed.

The corps of aides-de-camp took over the bier in Store festsal (The Great Banquet Hall) and brought it to the Palace Chapel. The bier was then placed on a velvet-covered catafalque, surrounded by wreaths and floral hearts from the family. The Royal Crown and the Sword of State were placed upon the bier, while the orders were placed at the foot of the bier. Afterwards followed a private memorial service for the royal family and members of the court and staff as well as the aides-de-camp.

The transfer of the bier was broadcast on TV, among others on NRK TV. After the memorial service, King Haakon, Queen Mette-Marit, Queen Sonja and Princess Märtha Louise came out to the Palace Square where they laid down roses, looked at the sea of ​​flowers, and read some of the cards. They were visibly moved by what they saw. The crowd sang the national anthem and applauded before the royals returned inside the palace. See the coverage (with photos) by VG.

As I have mentioned earlier, tomorrow 1 September from 2 p.m. until 8 September at 6 p.m. it will be possible for the public to file past the coffin in the Palace Chapel. The Royal Court has issued details about the filing (in Norwegian only) in a press relase today.