Prince William and Anne, the Princess Royal will attend King Harald V of Norway’s funeral on September 9, it has been confirmed.
Speculation King Charles′ isn’t attending because of health concerns are unfounded; his absence is due to a long-standing British royal protocol stating the reigning monarch generally does not attend the state funerals of foreign heads of state or fellow monarchs.
Prince William, alongside Princess Anne, will attend the funeral of King Harald of Norway in his father’s place. Getty
Instead, the standard protocol is to send the heir apparent, another senior royal, or an official diplomat to represent the sovereign.
Queen Elizabeth II adhered strictly to this rule throughout her 70-year reign. She almost never attended foreign state funerals or royal funerals overseas, sending Prince Philip, then-Prince Charles or another family member in her place.
She broke the protocol just once to attend the state funeral of King Baudouin of Belgium in Brussels in 1993, accompanied by her husband. The rare exception was reportedly made due to the deep personal friendship and close familial bond between the two monarchs.
Charles’ absence is due to royal protocol, with Anne regularly attending events in his place. AP
When Pope Francis died in 2025, King Charles did not attend the funeral service at the Vatican. In accordance with the protocol, Prince William was again sent to represent the King and the United Kingdom.
The protocol also states the reigning British monarch will remain in the UK during these events.
When Constantine II of Greece died in 2023, King Charles did not travel to Athens, despite the royal being a close relative (his second cousin) and William’s godfather. Instead, the Princess Royal and her husband Vice Admiral Sir Tim Laurence were sent to represent the British Crown.
The protocol is unique to the British monarchy; continental European monarchies maintain very different rules regarding funeral attendance.
King Harald V of Norway (far right) died on August 28 at the age of 89. Getty
Scandinavian and European royal families, such as the royal houses of Sweden, Denmark, Spain and the Netherlands, routinely attend each other’s state funerals, reflecting their close geographic ties and overlapping family trees.
King Charles was diagnosed with cancer in 2024 and his treatment is ongoing. He continues to fulfil his duties as reigning monarch, and will soon host a State Visit from the Sultan of Oman, Haitham bin Tariq, at Windsor Castle on October 20-22.
In early November, Charles and Camilla are scheduled to travel to the Bahamas and Guyana for the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM).
King Harald V of Norway died on August 28 at the age of 89. He was Europe’s oldest-reigning monarch.
Harald’s son has now acceded to the throne, becoming King Haakon VIII following a short ceremony in parliament. Haakon’s daughter, Princess Ingrid Alexandra, is now the first Crown Princess of Norway.
Harald’s son has now acceded to the throne, becoming King Haakon VIII. The Royal House of Norway
Following Harald’s death, King Charles released a statement on the British royal family’s official website.
“It is with the most profound sadness that my wife and I have learned of the death of my dear cousin, King Harald V of Norway,” it reads in part.
“The Queen and I extend our deepest and most heartfelt condolences to Queen Sonja and all her family, as Britain shares in Norway’s grief at this time of such heartbreaking loss.”