Kate Middleton skips King Harald V’s funeral – and the real reason is deeply personal
While crowned heads across Europe made their way to Oslo to pay their final respects to King Harald V, Kate Middleton made a very different choice. The Princess of Wales decided to stay in England, and her reason was far more personal than it was a matter of protocol.
A back-to-school week that took priority over a royal funeral
On 9 September, Prince William flew to Norway to attend the funeral of King Harald V, who passed away on 28 August at the age of 89 in an Oslo hospital. He was accompanied by Princess Anne, godmother to the new King Haakon. Kate Middleton, however, was not part of the delegation.
The reason for her absence comes down to the family calendar. That same week, the royal couple’s three children were starting the new school year. It was a moment the Princess of Wales clearly chose not to miss, opting to be by their side for such a significant day.
According to Hello Magazine, Prince George was beginning his first term at Eton College, while Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis were heading back to Lambrook School. Three simultaneous first days, including one that carries particular symbolic weight for the heir to the throne.
Prince George at Eton: a milestone Kate Middleton and William planned down to the last detail
Prince George’s arrival at Eton College was anything but low-key. One of England’s most prestigious schools, Eton has deep ties to the British royal family: both Prince William and Prince Harry studied there. Located close to Windsor Castle, it comes with an annual fee of €73,000.
For Kate Middleton and William, every aspect of this transition was carefully thought through. The young prince will have a dedicated bodyguard with him at all times, and will permanently carry an electronic tracker as well as a personal alarm. Mobile phones and social media are strictly off-limits.
The parents’ chief concern remains the circulation of unauthorised photographs of their son in the press or online. In response, photography has been banned both inside and outside the school grounds. As the Daily Beast reported, this measure was not officially introduced on the prince’s behalf, but the timing could not be more convenient.
What the protocol sets out for the heir’s security
Here are the key security measures in place for Prince George’s arrival at Eton:
- A dedicated bodyguard present at all times
- An electronic tracker worn by the prince
- A personal alarm on him at all times
- A complete ban on mobile phones
- No access to social media
- Photography banned inside and outside the school
These arrangements reflect the level of care that Kate Middleton and William are taking over their eldest son’s safety as he takes his first steps into public life.
Harald V: a state funeral watched by all of Europe
On the Norwegian side, citizens had until 8 September to pay their respects to King Harald V ahead of the official funeral. The sovereign, father and predecessor of King Haakon on the throne, passed away peacefully in Oslo after a long life in service to Norway.
On 9 September, European leaders and royal families from around the world gathered to bid him farewell. Prince William represented the British Crown on the occasion, alongside Princess Anne. The British delegation was therefore present, even if Kate Middleton, held back by her duties as a mother, was not among them.
This choice reflects a very real truth for the Princess of Wales: even at the highest levels of royal protocol, some family moments are simply non-negotiable. The children’s return to school, and in particular the first day of the future King of England, mattered more than an official appearance in Oslo.
