Oslo will host a solemn tribute to King Harald V on September 9 and, according to the Elysée, Brigitte Macron and Emmanuel Macron will not attend: the French representation will be ensured by Sébastien Lecornu. Here you will discover why the presidential couple remains in Paris and what personal link connects the Prime Minister to Norway.
In brief: King Harald V passed away on August 28 at 89 years old. The state funeral in Oslo on September 9 will gather many crowned heads and leaders, in a ceremony where monarchy and diplomacy meet.
Absence of the Macrons: a tight diplomatic agenda
The president is held up in Paris by the International Space Summit at the Grand Palais, co-chaired by Emmanuel Macron, and by the state visit of South Korean President Lee Jae-myung, with the reception scheduled the day before. The official calendar also includes the Lumière Summit on September 7 in Saint-Paul-de-Vence, making a round trip to Oslo materially difficult. This protocol constraint has led to the delegation of representation.
For the official context and the guest list, refer to the report from Gala which details the diplomatic agenda.
Sébastien Lecornu, face of France in Oslo
The choice fell on Sébastien Lecornu, Prime Minister, who was already present in Norway during the state visit on June 23, 2025. At that time Minister of the Armed Forces, he had accompanied Emmanuel Macron on the frigate Normandie and before the monument of Normandieplassen, a testament to an active diplomatic relationship. His presence reinforces the official and respectful nature of the French representation at the ceremony.
To learn more about the familial and political ties surrounding the presidential couple, see the analysis on the stakes around Brigitte Macron.
A protocol ceremony and a European tribute
The funeral of King Harald V will be marked by royal protocol: foreign crowns, heads of state, and a solemn staging. Harald V, who ascended the throne on January 17, 1991, reigned for 35 years. The presence of a non-presidential French official representative places France within the procession of states paying tribute, while respecting the constraints of an international event.
To delve deeper into the links between the Macron family, their relatives, and the tributes paid during the funerals, discover the dedicated files and portraits on sebastien-auziere.fr and the column dedicated to allies and relatives on sebastien-auziere.fr. Visit sebastien-auziere.fr to learn more about Sébastien Auzière and the Macron family, their backgrounds and commitments.
