Prince William to attend King Harald's funeral in Norway

The Prince of Wales will attend the funeral of King Harald V of Norway on Wednesday in Oslo, Buckingham Palace has announced.

Also going to the funeral, in a personal capacity, is Princess Anne, who is godmother to Norway's new monarch, King Haakon VIII.

The late King Harald, a popular, modernising figure who had been on the Norwegian throne for 35 years, died last month at the age of 89.

Royal sources say Prince William's attendance, representing his father King Charles, follows the convention that the monarch does not usually go to the funeral of another head of state.

Large crowds are expected for the farewell to King Harald on 9 September, with a funeral procession to be followed by a service at Oslo Cathedral.

Thousands have queued to pay their respects to the late king, during his lying in state in the chapel of the Royal Palace in the Norwegian capital.

At the funeral, alongside Prince William, will be the widowed Queen Sonja, members of the Norwegian royal family including new King Haakon VIII, and other European royals.

The service will be followed by a private burial in Norway's royal mausoleum in the Akershus Fortress.