King Haakon leads the Norwegian Royal Family at church service for King Harald

King Haakon led
the Norwegian Royal Family at a special church service in honour of
the late King Harald, who passed away at age 89 on Friday
morning.

Accompanied by his daughter and heir, Crown Princess Ingrid
Alexandra; his son, Prince Sverre Magnus, and his mother, Queen
Sonja, King Haakon joined officials at Asker Church for the
service.

The Norwegian Royal Court shared that church services would take
place across the country on Sunday in tribute to the late King
Harald; while mourners lined up outside Asker Church where the
Royal Family attended their service.

Queen Mette-Marit was not in attendance, as she is still
recovering from her lung transplant earlier this summer.

The Royal Court revealed: “As previously
announced, Her Majesty Queen Mette-Marit is recovering from her
lung transplant in June and has limited opportunity to participate
in official events. She will therefore not be present at Asker
Church tomorrow. The Queen will nevertheless be present at certain
other events in connection with the passing of King
Harald.”

Despite not appearing at public events, Queen Mette-Marit was
photographed attending the service as King Harald’s coffin was
transported back to the Royal Palace from the university hospital
on Friday evening.

She was also seen with her youngest son, Prince Sverre Magnus,
admiring the flowers left outside their residence at Skaugum.

A date for King Harald’s funeral has not been announced, though
the government has indicated to Norwegian media that it will take
place during ‘Week 37’ or the week of 8-14 September.

King Harald peacefully passed away Friday, 28 August following
hospitalisation due to a bloodstream infection. King Haakon VIII
immediately ascended to the throne, and delivered
his first address to the Norwegian people on Saturday
evening.