Thousands bid farewell to King Harald on his final journey to the palace

A vast crowd of thousands of mourners gathered in Oslo on Friday evening to pay their respects as King Harald's coffin made its final journey. The procession traveled from Rikshospitalet, the hospital where he passed away, through the city streets to the Royal Palace.

Hundreds of people, including hospital staff, had assembled at Rikshospitalet to honor the late King. Along the entire route through Oslo, people stood closely together, creating a somber atmosphere. At the palace, the Royal Guard was in position to receive the coffin, as reported by the NTB news agency.

Hofchef Olav Heian-Engdal led the final steps of the procession onto the palace grounds. Inside the palace, the royal family convened for a private farewell. The King's coffin was carried by aides into the Red Salon within the palace, according to the Royal House website.

Outside the palace, an estimated 13,000 people were gathered, according to police reports cited by NRK. As the procession entered the palace square, a profound silence fell over the crowd, many of whom shed tears in the falling rain. The car carrying the coffin was illuminated, allowing glimpses of the casket.

King Harald's son, Haakon, who now ascends to the throne as Norway's King, was part of the procession immediately following his father's coffin. He was accompanied by his wife, Queen Mette-Marit, their daughter Princess Ingrid Alexandra, Queen Sonja, and other members of the royal family. The coffin will be moved from the Red Salon to the palace chapel, which will remain open for the public to pay their respects until the funeral.