Funeral of King Harald V to take place on Wednesday, September 9

The funeral of King Harald V will take place on Wednesday, September 9, Norway’s royal palace said on Sunday.

Harald died on Friday and his son became King Haakon VIII.

Since Harald’s death, the royal family and the country has been in an official state of mourning.

Tens of thousands of Norwegians have expressed their grief over the weekend by laying flowers, writing cards and lighting candles in front of the royal palace in Oslo, where the coffin arrived late Friday from hospital.

“This Sunday is different. His Majesty King Harald is dead. A family has lost their spouse, father, grandfather, father-in-law,” said Dean Pal Kristian Balstad as he opened a service in Oslo Cathedral, Norway’s public broadcaster NRK reported.

The royal family attended a service at Asker Church, southwest of Oslo.

The country is in a state of mourning and some people decided to postpone celebrations such as weddings and baptisms until after the mourning period has passed, NRK reported.

Haakon spoke about Harald on Saturday. He expressed his pain at the death of his father and promised to lead the country with the same dedication.

“I’m going to miss him. I’ll miss his laughter. His good-natured way of dealing with people and situations,” Haakon said in his first speech as king that was broadcast live on public television.

Trying to hold back his tears, he vowed to give everything for the country as its king.

“That means, in the ultimate sense, being willing to risk everything, even one’s life, for Norway’s freedom and independence,” Haakon said.

The new king adopted the motto All For Norway, which dates back to his great-grandfather. His wife became Queen Mette-Marit, and his oldest child, Ingrid Alexandra, became crown princess and heir to the throne.

His tasks in the near future will include shoring up support for the monarchy after controversies over his wife’s past contacts with the late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein and his stepson’s rape conviction.

Norway’s monarchy has old roots, tracing its origins to King Harald Fairhair in the ninth century.

When Norway regained its independence from Sweden in 1905, three-quarters of voters in a national plebiscite approved restoring the monarchy.

Today the role is largely symbolic as power lies with an elected parliament, but the country’s royal family retains celebrity and a role in promoting the wealthy nation around the world.