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🇳🇴 Norway /Elections & Politics

Several Norwegian lawmakers not invited to King Harald’s funeral: “I really wanted to go”

From Aftenposten · () Norwegian

Translated from Norwegian and summarized by DistantNews. Read the original for the full story.

At a glance

News Named sources Ongoing story
  • World leaders are expected in Oslo for King Harald V’s funeral on Sept. 9, but Oslo Cathedral cannot accommodate all 169 members of parliament.
  • Progress Party lawmaker Pål Morten Borgli said he had wanted an invitation but had not received one.
  • People have also queued at the Royal Palace to pay their final respects to the king, while Queen Mette-Marit will miss King Haakon VIII’s constitutional oath because of complications after a lung transplant.

Some Norwegian lawmakers will not attend King Harald V’s funeral because Oslo Cathedral does not have room for all 169 members of parliament. World leaders are expected in Oslo on Wednesday, Sept. 9, when the king is to be buried.

Progress Party lawmaker Pål Morten Borgli said he had set aside the day and wanted to attend, but had not received an invitation. “I am one of those who really wanted to be invited,” he said. Venstre lawmaker Carl-Erik Grimstad, a royal expert and former deputy chief of the Royal Court, said he understood the reaction. “It is strange that members of parliament who want to attend the funeral are not given the opportunity,” he said.

I am one of those who really wanted to be invited.

— Pål Morten BorgliThe Progress Party lawmaker reacted after not receiving an invitation to the funeral.

The public has also been gathering to say goodbye. Sølvi Neu, 54, traveled overnight from Bergen and stood near the front of a queue that began around 7 a.m. Tuesday. “I took the night train from Bergen for the occasion. Then I am traveling back today so I can be at work again tomorrow,” she told NTB. Anyone who wishes can pass by the king’s coffin in the Palace Chapel, where it will remain until the funeral.

It is strange that members of parliament who want to attend the funeral are not given the opportunity.

— Carl-Erik GrimstadThe Venstre lawmaker and former Royal Court official commented on the limited space.

The coffin is draped in the royal flag and displayed with the crown and state sword. Flowers from the royal family stand nearby, while cadets from the War School keep watch.

Queen Mette-Marit will not attend King Haakon VIII’s oath before parliament because of complications following her lung transplant. The Royal Court said she would be observed during the day and that such complications are not unusual after a lung transplant.

I took the night train from Bergen for the occasion. Then I am traveling back today so I can be at work again tomorrow.

— Sølvi NeuShe described traveling to Oslo to pay her final respects to King Harald.
About this summary

Originally published by Aftenposten in Norwegian. Translated, summarized, and contextualized automatically by DistantNews, with a note on how the source frames the story. Not individually reviewed before publishing. How this works.

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