Princess Anne’s Tender Moment With King Haakon at King Harald’s Funeral

A poignant moment between Princess Anne and her godson, King Haakon, offered a glimpse of the personal bond behind Wednesday’s solemn royal gathering in Oslo.

King Harald V’s state funeral took place on Wednesday, 9 September, following his death on 28 August at the age of 89. Prince William attended on behalf of King Charles, while Princess Anne travelled to Norway in a personal capacity to support Harald’s son, the newly ascended King Haakon.

Princess Anne comforts her godson

After the official funeral, Anne was seen approaching King Haakon and sharing a warm exchange with him. She kissed her godson on both cheeks before staying to chat with him for a while, in a touching moment captured on camera.

Earlier in the day, the Princess Royal had maintained a composed and solemn presence as she paid her respects alongside Prince William. Dressed in a black blazer and scarf with a black headpiece, Anne stood shoulder-to-shoulder with the Prince of Wales during the funeral proceedings.

Following King Harald’s death, his son Haakon assumed the throne and declared a period of national mourning, which is due to continue until 9 October, one month after Harald is formally laid to rest.

Prince William and Princess Anne represent Britain

It was confirmed on Saturday that Prince William and Princess Anne would attend the state funeral in Norway. William represented King Charles, with the sovereign typically not attending the funerals of other heads of state.

Anne, meanwhile, attended in a personal capacity as King Haakon’s godmother.

The British royals joined the procession behind King Harald’s coffin as it made its way to Oslo Cathedral, alongside members of several European royal families.

Among those attending were King Felipe and Queen Letizia of Spain, King Philippe and Queen Mathilde of Belgium, and Grand Duke Guillaume and Grand Duchess Stéphanie of Luxembourg.

Representatives from the Dutch, Swedish, Danish, Monegasque, Jordanian and Liechtenstein royal families were also present, as were Crown Prince Fumihito Akishino and Crown Princess Kiko of Japan.

A family united in mourning

King Harald’s death left behind his wife, Queen Sonja, 89, and their children, King Haakon, 53, and Princess Märtha Louise, 54. The family presented a united front as they gathered to honour the late monarch.

Harald had experienced several health problems in recent years, including bladder cancer and heart issues. Shortly before his death, he was admitted to hospital with haemolytic anaemia, a condition in which red blood cells are destroyed faster than the body can replace them.

At the time, a statement from the Norwegian Palace said: “His Majesty the King’s health condition is extremely serious.”

Princess Anne’s seven godchildren

King Haakon is one of seven godchildren of Princess Anne.

Her other godchildren include Philipp, Prince of Hohenlohe-Langenburg; Prince Peter of Yugoslavia; Alice McVittie, daughter of royal friend Lieutenant-Colonel Malcolm McVittie; and Lucy Margot Therese Cameron, daughter of the late Donald Cameron of Lochiel, who was also a friend of the royal family.

Anne is also godmother to Lady Eloise Anson, daughter of the late Patrick Anson, 5th Earl of Lichfield, who was a cousin of Queen Elizabeth II, as well as Kelly Knatchbull, daughter of the Hon. Michael Knatchbull and Melissa Owen, who belongs to the wider Mountbatten family.