Prince William’s Norway Funeral Role Just Made Prince Harry’s Royal Status Clear
Prince William’s Norway Funeral Role Just Made Prince Harry’s Royal Status Clear
Sibanee GogoiMon, September 14, 2026 at 7:51 AM UTC
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Photo Credit: Chris Jackson/Getty Images
Prince William‘s role at King Harald V‘s funeral in Norway has highlighted Prince Harry’s current standing within the Royal Family. William’s attendance follows royal protocol, under which reigning monarchs typically do not attend the funerals of fellow heads of state. The heir to the throne has previously stepped in to represent King Charles on similar occasions, including at Pope Francis’ funeral last April.
Source suggests Prince Harry was ‘deliberately left off’ King Harald of Norway’s funeral, while Prince William attended
Prince William represented the British royal family at King Harald V’s funeral in Oslo. Meanwhile, sources told RadarOnline.com that the palace intentionally kept Prince Harry off the invite list for the high-profile event.
King Harald died on August 28 at the age of 89 from a bacterial blood infection. The late king reigned over Norway for 35 years. He ascended the throne in 1991 after the death of his father, King Olav V.
On Wednesday, September 9, the Prince of Wales joined the procession behind Harald’s coffin. As it moved from the Royal Palace to Oslo Cathedral, Norway’s new King, Haakon VIII, walked behind his father’s casket. He was accompanied by his daughter, Crown Princess Ingrid Alexandra, and other members of the Norwegian royal family.
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The 44-year-old walked alongside his aunt Princess Anne and other foreign royals. Anne attended in a personal capacity, as she is godmother to Haakon. Those in attendance included Spain’s King Felipe VI and Queen Letizia, Sweden’s King Carl XVI Gustaf and Queen Silvia, and Denmark’s King Frederik X and Queen Mary.
A source briefed on the royal arrangements said, “William’s attendance reflects the role he now occupies within the working monarchy. Harry remains outside that structure, and his absence from an occasion of this significance underlines just how different the brothers’ positions have become. Harry was deliberately left off the invite list as organizers knew either King Charles or Prince William would be going.”
As for Prince Harry‘s absence, a source close to the Sussexes said, “Harry’s absence should not be interpreted as a lack of his respect for King Harald. His position within the royal family is simply different from William’s, and the circumstances surrounding official state occasions have changed considerably since Harry stepped back from royal duties.”
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Source: “AOL Entertainment”
