Several international royals arriving in Oslo for King Harald’s funeral on Wednesday were spotted traveling in a bus toward the Royal Palace on Tuesday evening, according to on-the-scene reporting. King Felipe and Queen Sofia of Spain, the Serbian crown prince couple, Grand Duke Henri of Luxembourg, Princess Alexia, Prince Nikolaos, Queen Anne-Marie of Greece, and Prince Alois of Liechtenstein were among those observed entering the palace grounds. While official palace representatives have not yet disclosed the specific purpose of Tuesday evening’s gathering, royal experts point to established diplomatic and familial precedent for such pre-funeral events.
Royal Guests Arrive at the Palace Ahead of Wednesday Funeral
Tuesday evening’s arrivals brought prominent European royals directly to the Royal Palace in Oslo following their travel to Norway. Spanish monarch King Felipe, accompanied by Queen Sofia, joined Grand Duke Henri of Luxembourg and the Serbian crown prince couple on the bus transport into the estate. Additional arrivals included Princess Alexia, Prince Nikolaos, and Queen Anne-Marie of Greece, alongside Prince Alois of Liechtenstein. Earlier in the day, Princess Märtha Louise was also observed at the palace, according to local observations.
Did You Know? Royal observers noted that Princess Märtha Louise was also observed at the Royal Palace earlier in the day on Tuesday prior to the evening arrival of international royal guests.
Experts Cite Precedent for Pre-Funeral Royal Gatherings
Royal commentators suggest the Tuesday evening palace gathering aligns with traditional protocols observed during major royal mourning periods. Ole-Jørgen Schulsrud-Hansen, a royal expert for TV 2, explains that hosting an informal reception for visiting royals the day before a state funeral is a standard procedure. Schulsrud-Hansen notes that a similar gathering took place prior to Queen Elisabeth II’s funeral. Tove Taalesen, a royal expert for Nettavisen, shares a similar assessment, stating she believes the visiting royals received invitations to a private dinner given their close family ties, with some guests expected to reside directly at the palace during the mourning period.
While official itineraries remain unconfirmed by palace spokespersons, historical precedent indicates that keeping family members close at the royal residence streamlines security and logistics ahead of large-scale state ceremonies.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who was observed arriving at the Royal Palace on Tuesday evening?
According to on-the-scene reporting, attendees included King Felipe and Queen Sofia of Spain, Grand Duke Henri of Luxembourg, the Serbian crown prince couple, Princess Alexia, Prince Nikolaos, Queen Anne-Marie of Greece, and Prince Alois of Liechtenstein.
Has the palace officially explained why the royals gathered on Tuesday?
No. Official sources have not yet disclosed the explicit purpose of Tuesday evening’s gathering at the palace.
What do royal experts say about the gathering?
TV 2 royal expert Ole-Jørgen Schulsrud-Hansen states that pre-funeral receptions are customary, pointing to a similar event held before Queen Elisabeth II’s funeral. Nettavisen royal expert Tove Taalesen adds that the guests are likely attending a private dinner among close family members, and notes that some visitors may be lodging at the palace.
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