Norway introduces temporary border controls for King Harald’s funeral

Norway will temporarily restore controls at its internal borders as the country prepares for King Harald’s funeral and the arrival of heavily protected international guests.

The controls will run from Friday through September 14, according to a statement from the Norwegian Police Directorate. The Ministry of Justice and Public Security made the decision after a police recommendation.

Police Director Håkon Skulstad said the measure would allow officers to gather more information than usual and conduct targeted checks. “The goal is to prevent people or groups who want to disrupt the event from entering Norway,” he said in the statement.

The controls are expected to affect ordinary traffic only to a small extent and should not create major delays, Skulstad said. Cecilie Lilaas-Skari, who leads the police district responsible for Oslo Airport and the country’s largest border crossings, said the measure could help officers identify and remove potential security risks more quickly. It would also allow police to respond faster if the situation changed.

King Harald will be buried on Wednesday, September 9. Foreign heads of state and royals are expected to attend, including Denmark’s royal couple, Queen Margrethe, Crown Prince Christian and Princess Benedikte. Norway is part of the Schengen area, where internal passport checks are normally absent, but the rules allow temporary controls in exceptional circumstances.

Harald, 89, died on August 28 after nearly two weeks in hospital. He had been treated for hemolytic anemia and a bacterial bloodstream infection, and his condition worsened during the hospitalization. His son became king after his death and took an oath before Norway’s parliament on Tuesday.

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The goal is to prevent people or groups who want to disrupt the event from entering Norway.