Buckingham Palace confirms emotional role for Prince William, Princess Anne
King Charles delegates an important and emotional duty to his son Prince William after heartbreaking family loss after days of deliberation.
There was some speculation about the monarch’s wish to attend the funeral of King Harald V of Norway next week, but it wasn’t confirmed until Buckingham Palace announced the royals who will be attending.
The Prince of Wales will represent King Charles at the funeral on Wednesday. It is usual precedent for the sovereign not to attend funerals of other Heads of State.
Meanwhile, Princess Anne will be attending the sombre ceremony in a private and personal capacity as godmother to the new King Haakon VIII.
While Charles would not be in attendance, he did pay a heartfelt tribute to his “dear cousin” and “much-loved kinsman and friend” after the tragic news reached him.
Charles praised Harald served Norway for 35 years with “unwavering dedication, guiding Norway through times of great change with warmth and humility.” He extended his “deepest and most heartfelt condolences” to the grieving widow, the family and the Norwegians on the loss.
The funeral will be held in Oslo Cathedral, with mourners including his widow Queen Sonja.
This would not be the first time William will be representing his father in an official capacity. The Prince of Wales attended the funeral of Pope Francis in the Vatican last April as per royal tradition.
