The coffin of King Harald V has been placed in the royal palace in Oslo, where members of the public can pay their respects, according to Russian news agency Interfax. The announcement came on Friday, August 28, 2026, as Norway begins formal mourning for its long-serving monarch.
Interfax reports that the palace in the Norwegian capital is now open for a period of national farewell. The exact duration of the public viewing and the schedule for the funeral ceremony have not been detailed in the initial report.
King Harald V, who reigned for decades, was a widely respected figure in Norway. His death has drawn reactions from international leaders. Interfax separately reported that former U.S. President Donald Trump offered condolences following the monarch's passing. In a separate item, Russian outlet Novye Izvestia noted that footballer Erling Haaland also commented on the king's death, reflecting the monarch's broad cultural reach.
The succession has already passed to Crown Prince Haakon, who now becomes King Haakon VIII, according to reporting from the BBC. The new king's character and the likely direction of his reign have become a topic of public discussion in Norway. Additionally, Russian media outlet Nauka Mail noted a historical connection: the late king was a relative of Russia's last emperor, Nicholas II, a detail that has added to the international interest in his legacy.
As the public farewell continues in Oslo, attention will turn to the state funeral arrangements and the formal proclamation of King Haakon VIII, which will mark the start of a new chapter for the Norwegian monarchy.
