Finland lowers flags for King Harald V’s funeral

Finland is lowering its flags on Wednesday in memory of Norway’s late King Harald V, Yle reports. The flag-lowering applies to the president’s office, Parliament and government properties.

The Interior Ministry has recommended that other public offices also lower their flags and said the whole country is encouraged to take part. Flags at Helsinki rescue stations were lowered to half-mast, the Helsinki Rescue Department said on X.

The flags were lowered at 8 a.m. The ministry has instructed them to be raised to full mast at 4 p.m., after the funeral services, and the flag ceremony will end at sunset.

The funeral ceremonies in Oslo begin at 1 p.m. Finnish time. The event can be followed in Finland on Yle TV1 and Yle Areena.

Royal figures and state leaders from around the world are expected to attend. Finland will be represented in Oslo by President Alexander Stubb and his spouse, Suzanne Innes-Stubb.

King Harald V died in Oslo at the age of 89 in late August.