Heartbroken Queen Sonja returns to work – one month after husband King Harald's funeral

Queen Sonjaof Norway has returned to work, one month after her husband King Harald's funeral.

The 89-year-old royal was pictured visiting the National Archives at Sognsvann in Oslo, marking her first official engagement since her husband’s death.

The Norwegian royal household shared a series of poignant photographs on their official Instagram account, writing: "Queen Sonja visited the National Archives at Sognsvann in Oslo. 

"Here, she was shown how condolences, letters, children's drawings, and other tokens of remembrance following King Harald's passing are being collected and preserved for posterity."

Wearing a soft, white wool button-down coat layered over a black top and smart trousers, Queen Sonja was pictured smiling as she admired the special tokens from well-wishers.

One particularly moving tribute was a watercolour portrait of her late husband laughing, while others had donated cross-stitched messages, drawings and even a hand-crafted wooden sailboat.

Sonja appeared visibly moved by the display, taking her time as she read all the personal messages. 

Royal supporters expressed their condolences and admiration for her bravery in the comments, with one fan kindly sharing: "I know it's painful, though you’re doing well."

King Harald's sad passing and a new monarch for Norway

King Harald V of Norway passed away on August 28, 2026, at the age of 89. The royal died at Oslo University Hospital after being hospitalised with an infection and blood condition.

His state funeral was held on September 9, 2026, a sombre affair attended by royal representatives from all over Europe. 

The Prince of Wales, accompanied by his aunt, the Princess Royal, stepped in for King Charles to bid the Norwegian monarch a final farewell.

Harald was succeeded by his son, King Haakon VII, with his daughter Crown Princess Ingrid Alexandra now becoming heir. 

Just two days after attending the late King's funeral, Harald's sister, Princess Astrid, passed away at the age of 94.

King Harald's final resting place and highly personal coffin

King Harald was laid to rest in the Royal Mausoleum at Akershus Castle in Oslo in a stone coffin that cost an estimated 20 million NOK (£1.6 million).

The boat-shaped coffin, inspired by King Harald’s close relationship with the sea, was carved in 2024 using Norwegian materials and techniques. The material is stone from Sunnmøre, an area that Harald's widow Sonja knows well and has hiked for many years. 

The greenish olivine stone can absorb and bind carbon dioxide, reflecting the royal couple's love for the environment and creating a deeply personal final resting place.

"The sarcophagus thus brings together what has been important to each of them into a common resting place," the Palace said. "The material used for the sarcophagus is olivine, a rock formed in the Earth's interior and pushed forward by the forces that have shaped Norway.

"Just like King Harald's life at sea, Queen Sonja's relationship with Norwegian nature has been an important inspiration in the design of the sarcophagus. She has gone on countless trips in Norwegian nature, on foot and on skis all over the country."