President Karis to attend funeral of King Harald V of Norway

On the invitation of the Norwegian royal family, President Alar Karis and Sirje Karis are travelling to Oslo today to attend the funeral of King Harald V.

“Norway has lost a dedicated head of state who served his country and his people with dignity and a sense of duty,” President Karis said.

He added that relations between Estonia and Norway became both close and trusting under the late monarch’s reign. “King Harald consistently helped to maintain and strengthen that bond,” he noted. “We remember him with respect and gratitude as a dignified head of state, and as a good friend to Estonia. I offer my heartfelt condolences to Queen Sonja, the royal family and the people of Norway.”

President Karis said that King Harald’s state visit to Estonia in 1998 – which was marked by mutual understanding and support for Estonian independence – would always be remembered with gratitude by the people of the country.

The Estonian presidential couple will be attending the funeral service at Oslo Cathedral before taking part in a gathering being organised by the Norwegian Foreign Minister at Oslo City Hall and a memorial reception at the Royal Palace.