King Charles has issued special orders to the Palces to mark the death of King Harald V of Norway, the “dearest cousin” of the British monarch.
Flags are flying at half-mast at Buckingham Palace, Clarence House, Windsor Castle and the Palace of Holyroodhouse in Edinburgh
They will remain at half-mast until 2000 tonight.
The 77-yearold monarch also shared a touching tribute to his cousin and fellow monarch, who died at the age of 89.
Earlier, the Norway’s government declared a period of national mourning Friday, lasting until after King Harald’s funeral, whose date has yet to be announced.
I teh country, flags will also fly at half-mast at royal residences, public buildings and military facilities during the mourning period.
A royal flag decorated with mourning ribbons was raised from the balcony of the Royal Palace in Oslo. Bells rang at Oslo Cathedral as residents gathered in the capital hours after the monarch’s death was announced.
Tributes from other monarchies from around the world also poured in, with King Frederik of Denmark posting a sentimental letter he and wife Queen Mary sent to Norway’s new king, King Harald and Queen Sonja’s son, Haakon.
