Norway bids farewell to King Harald V on Wednesday, with monarchs, other members of European royal families and heads of state in Oslo for his state funeral.

Harald, who enjoyed widespread popularity among Norwegians during his 35-year reign, died in hospital at the age of 89 on August 28 after developing a serious blood infection.

For the past several days, Harald has lain in state in the Palace Chapel, where members of the public have been able to file past his coffin to pay their respects.

At midday, the king’s coffin will be carried in a solemn procession to Oslo Cathedral, where a memorial service is due to begin at 1 pm (1100 GMT).

The funeral procession will then continue to the royal mausoleum at the nearby Akershus Castle Church, where Harald will be laid to rest.

A private ceremony at the church will conclude the proceedings.

Harald ascended to the Norwegian throne in 1991 following the death of his father, King Olav V.

Harald’s son Haakon immediately succeeded him as Norway’s new king.