King Haakon declares court mourning until one month after King Harald’s funeral

King Haakon VIII has declared court mourning through October 9, one month after the funeral of King Harald V, the palace said in a press release.

During the period, the royal household will cancel its official program except for constitutional duties, including meetings of the Council of State, the ceremonial opening of the Storting and selected audiences. Members of the royal family and palace staff will wear dark clothing or uniforms with mourning bands.

Public access to royal properties will also be suspended. Visits and activities in Norway and abroad that had been planned during King Harald’s reign have generally been canceled, and the royal household will draw up a new official schedule. The palace said official duties would gradually resume after October 9.

Norway’s government has already declared a separate national mourning period through the funeral on September 9. Flags will fly at half-staff at royal residences, government buildings and military facilities. Court mourning applies only to the royal household and not to other institutions.

After the death of King Olav V in January 1991, court mourning lasted four months, with almost all royal representation and planned celebrations canceled. Formal audiences continued as usual during that period.