Norway's Crown Princess Ingrid Alexandra's subtle change to centuries-old tradition during King Harald's funeral
Norway's King Harald, who is King Charles III's second cousin once removed, passed away late last month (28 August) at the age of 89.
His funeral is currently taking place at Oslo Cathedral, with mourners including his son King Haakon VIII, who was seen walking behind his father’s coffin together with his children, Crown Princess Ingrid Alexandra and Prince Sverre Magnus, and his sister, Princess Märtha Louise, earlier this morning (9 September).
Meanwhile, Haakon's wife, Queen Mette-Marit, and mother, Queen Sonja, are travelling in a royal car.
Ingrid Alexandra, the heir to the throne, made a subtle change to a centuries-old tradition during her late grandfather's funeral by not wearing a traditional face veil for the ceremony.
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Instead, she opted for a more modern take with a black headband and a see-through shorter veil which only covered half her face.
Now, in photos taken on January 30, 1991, at King Olav V’s funeral, royal women donned a long, dark mourning veil.
While some consider this choice a tradition that should be preserved, others deem it too old-fashioned.
"Some traditions actually become stronger by being reformed," activist Sarah Gaulin wrote in Nettavisen.
"Why should a woman’s grief be marked by covering her face, while a man can face the world with his face uncovered?" she asked. "Women have historically been subject to much stricter rules about how to display grief.
"A woman was not only supposed to grieve. She was supposed to dress so that the outside world could see her grief."
King Harald's final days
The funeral procession is taking place in the Norwegian capital, with a service following at Oslo Cathedral.
It was confirmed earlier this week that the Prince and Princess of Wales would be attending the funeral in the place of King Charles III, following the tradition that a head of state doesn't usually attend the funeral of a foreign counterpart.
Princess Anne - the godmother to the country's new King, Haakon VIII - was also confirmed to attend in a personal capacity.
Harald died on 28 August, aged 89, following days of speculation surrounding his health.
He was taken to hospital the week prior, where doctors treated a bacterial infection in his blood, with palace officials later confirming: "King Harald passed away peacefully at Oslo University Hospital on Friday 28 August, 06:35 (local time)."
The throne passed on automatically to his son, King Haakon VIII.
King Charles III's sweet tribute
King Charles III, Harald's second cousin once removed, subsequently shared a tribute from Buckingham Palace
It read: "It is with the most profound sadness that my wife and I have learned of the death of my dear cousin, King Harald V of Norway.
"For 35 years, King Harald served his people with unwavering dedication, guiding Norway through times of great change with warmth and humility."
The British ruler continued: "As Norway mourns the loss of so towering a figure, my whole family join in remembering a much-loved kinsman and friend whose kindness, compassion and deep sense of duty echoed from across the sea and across the decades.
"The United Kingdom and Norway share particularly close historical and family ties, with Britain one of the first countries to recognise Norwegian independence and establish diplomatic relations in 1905. These special bonds were even further strengthened during the dreadful trials of the Second World War and helped to bind our two countries together."
Charles added of Camilla: "The Queen and I extend our deepest and most heartfelt condolences to Queen Sonja and all her family, as Britain shares in Norway’s grief at this time of such heartbreaking loss."
Harald's family history
As a child during the Second World War, the Norwegian king went into exile when his country was occupied by the Nazis.
He fled to the US with his mother and his sisters, Ragnhild and Astrid, eventually returning to Norway in 1945.
The royal attended public school, followed by the Norwegian military college and Oxford University in the UK, balancing his studies with his love of sailing, representing Norway at several Olympic Games.
As a young man, Harald was urged to find a bride amongst Europe's noblewomen.
Refusing to abide by the pressure, however, he married his school sweetheart Sonja Haraldsen after receiving his father, King Olav's, permission.
The couple went on to have two children, Martha Louise and Haakon.
The Norwegian Constitution changed the country's succession rules in 1990 to allow for firstborn children to take precedence in the line of succession, no matter their gender.
The amendment was not applied retroactively, however, meaning it was Haakon that took over the throne following Harald's death - not Martha.
Topics: Europe, World News, Royal Family, News
Rhiannon Ingle