Norway's Queen Mette-Marit joins procession as late King Harald's coffin moves to chapel

The coffin of Norway's late King Harald V was moved from the royal palace to the palace chapel on Monday, with Queen Mette-Marit joining the procession in her first public engagement since the accession.

King Harald died on Friday at the age of 89. His son, the crown prince, immediately succeeded him as King Haakon VIII. Haakon's wife became Queen Mette-Marit, and their eldest child, Ingrid Alexandra, is now crown princess and heir to the throne.

The 53-year-old King Haakon is scheduled to take the oath to Norway's constitution on Tuesday. His early reign is expected to focus on reinforcing public support for the monarchy, following controversies involving his wife's past association with the late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein and a rape conviction involving his stepson.

Queen Mette-Marit has largely stayed out of public view since undergoing a lung transplant in June. She was diagnosed with pulmonary fibrosis in 2018, a progressive condition that scars lung tissue and causes breathing difficulties, with no known cure.

Norway remains in an official period of mourning. Over the weekend, mourners placed flowers, cards, and candles outside the royal palace in Oslo, where the coffin arrived late Friday from the hospital. The coffin rested in the palace's Red Salon before Monday's procession to the royal chapel, where it will remain until the funeral.

Public visitation at the chapel begins Tuesday, according to Norwegian broadcaster NRK. The funeral is scheduled for September 9.