Prince Albert II and Princess Charlene attended King Harald V of Norway's state funeral at Oslo Cathedral on September 9, following the King's death on August 28 after nearly 35 years on the throne. His passing triggered the automatic accession of the former crown prince, who now reigns as King Haakon VIII alongside Queen Mette-Marit.
The ceremony brought together members of Europe's royal families, with Norway mounting one of its largest security operations in recent memory for the occasion. The Prince's Palace had first confirmed Prince Albert II's attendance as Monaco's representative, before announcing in a detailed statement that Princess Charlene would join the trip as well, a rare move for a princess who seldom travels abroad alongside the Prince.
The Palace said tributes to the late King would extend beyond the couple's presence in Oslo. "His Serene Highness the Prince has ordered that the flags of the Prince's Palace and public buildings be flown at half mast on Wednesday, September 9, from 8am to 8pm, as a sign of the solidarity and friendship that unite the Kingdom of Norway and the Principality, as well as their attachment to the historic and diplomatic ties that bind them," the statement said.