Kate Middleton raises questions after 'skipping' King Harald's funeral
Despite reports that Kate Middleton would join her husband at the funeral of Norway's late King Harald V, it looks as though Prince William attended alone.
Harald - the second cousin once removed to Britain's King Charles III - passed away late last month (28 August) at the age of 89, with the news coming after days of speculation surrounding his ill health.
Europe's oldest monarch 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)."
A funeral service in his memory is currently (9 Sept) taking place at Oslo Cathedral, with attendees including his son, the new King Haakon VIII, who was seen walking behind his father’s coffin together with his children.
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Crown Princess Ingrid Alexandra and Prince Sverre Magnus also joined the attending mourners, along with Haakon's sister, Princess Märtha Louise.
Haakon's wife, Queen Mette-Marit, and his mother, the late King's wife, Queen Sonja, were seen travelling in a royal car.
Prince William was confirmed earlier this week to be representing his father, Charles, at today's procession, since a head of state doesn't usually attend the funeral of a foreign counterpart.
It was initially understood that his wife, Princess Kate, would be attending also.
Instead, however, William was photographed at the service without Kate; instead, he was accompanied by his aunt, Princess Anne.
A spokesperson for the Princess Royal - the godmother to King Haakon VIII - confirmed earlier this week that she'd attend the service in a personal capacity.
While no reason for Kate's unexpected absence has yet been confirmed, the news had certainly set tongues wagging online.
One Reddit user questioned: "Why isn't Kate going to King Harald's funeral? Anyone know? Media says bc George starts School, but he has already started then? Or?"
Another agreed with their suggestion: "George is starting at Eton, so she’ll be preparing for the school run."
A third also wrote: "George started Eton today, and both William and CATHERINE brought him. I am sure she was busy last weekend with finalising packing and having family dinners with her parents, the King and Camilla, etc."
Kate's lack of appearance comes just a day after her eldest son, Prince George, attended his first day at Eton College.
She and William dropped him off at the £65,673-a-year school on Tuesday morning (8 Sept).
Spectators have also suggested that a limited seating capacity in Oslo Cathedral may have had a part to play in the mother-of-three's absence.
A similar situation unfolded at Queen Elizabeth's funeral at Westminster Abbey back in 2022, when a capacity of approximately 2,000 meant other countries received just two seats.
This allowed foreign leaders - plus their other-half, or another dignitary - to attend.
Amongst the other international royals in attendance this morning were King Felipe, Queen Letizia, and Queen Sofia of Spain, as well as King Carl Gustaf and Queen Silvia from Norway's neighbouring country, Sweden.
Prince Albert and Princess Charlene of Monaco were also photographed, along with Crown Prince Fumihito and Crown Princess Kiko of Japan, and King Abdullah and Queen Rania of Jordan.
Confirming he wouldn't be in attendance, Charles shared a tribute following the news of Harald's death, reflecting on his 'profound sadness'.
"For 35 years, King Harald served his people with unwavering dedication, guiding Norway through times of great change with warmth and humility," he 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 concluded: "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."
Tyla contacted Kensington Palace for comment.
Topics: Royal Family, UK News, World News, Kate Middleton, Prince William
Rhianna Benson