There will be a number of shake ups to services across the county

Changes to bus services across Cambridgeshire have been outlined with alterations to 31 services listed. A report outlined a number of changes to the public transport system, with some stops dropped off routes, timetables altered and other services added.

Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Combined Authority’s transport committee met on Wednesday (September 9) to note changes to bus services. The committee was given a report titled “Bus Services Reimagined” detailing the proposed final changes across the region. They did not have the final say on the plans, but were instead asked to vote on whether to recommend their approval to the combined authority’s board.

Cllr Lorna Dupré, representing Cambridgeshire County Council, said she was “grateful for the honesty in the title” as “for too many communities it means the replacement of bus services with imaginary ones”. The Liberal Democrat councillor said that cuts to services were made necessary by the mayor’s decision not to increase the mayoral precept and divert funds “to subsidise car parking”.

Paul Bristow was elected mayor of the combined authority in 2025 under the pledge not to increase the mayoral precept and avoid significant borrowing during his term. A report on bus franchising, which was approved under the previous mayor, warned earlier this year that Cambridgeshire bus services could be cut by more than a third in the next decade without additional funding.

The Conservative mayor also promised to introduce free parking at council-owned car parks, with £1.5m allocated in his budget over two years to bring the policy to Peterborough and Huntingdonshire. Cllr Dupré said if residents aren’t sure if the bus they want to take will still be running in six months, they will “stop even considering public transport as an option”.

She highlighted “losses for people” in the report – noting the 65 service will no longer stop in Buckden to bring residents to their GP. She said the Tiger On Demand service, which can be booked to stop at specific bus stops, is being used to “fill in gaps”.

Labour councillor Angus Ellis, representing Peterborough City Council, said: “This should be bus services reduced, rather than reimagined”. Cllr Tim Bick, representing Cambridge City Council, said the combined authority needs to work harder at encouraging bus usage before axing services for low use if they are “serious about reimagining bus services”.

The Liberal Democrat councillor noted the T2 and T3 buses, designed to link the peripheries of Cambridge without going through the centre, both of which will be replaced. He said: “We’re going to have to try harder to change behaviour in order to get the usage for a service like that.

“If we want to do bigger things – we need to stick with change and support it.”

If approved by the combined authority’s board, in February 2027 the first stage of changes would be made to bus services. In Fenland, services 56 and T7 will be redesigned to “keep important links” with the report stating links between March and Wisbech “would improve” with earlier and later journeys and better weekend provision.

Timetables for the services 46 and 50 could change, including connections through Chatteris and revised times for Wisbech villages. In Huntingdonshire, the T12 would be withdrawn with improvements made to the 301 service between St Ives, Earith and Somersham.

The 65 service would no longer stop at Buckden and would serve St Neots Rail Station, extending from the Offords to Godmanchester, the Hemingfords and St Ives. In Cambridge, the 8 to Hilton would extend to St Ives and combine with the 69 to “offer more links to communities”.

The T4 between Addenbrooke’s and Newmarket would see a timetable and route change in Cambridge and Little Wilbraham to “improve punctuality”.

The next stage would happen in August 2027, with several existing services in South and East Cambridgeshire serving Haverhill and the Newmarket area replaced with new services 119, 120 and 121 to make the network simpler. The 26 towards Royston would be increased to an hourly service, no longer serving Foxton, and extending to Guilden Morden every two hours.

In South Cambridgeshire, new 27, 27A and 27H services would be introduced to replace parts of the services 7A, 17, 114 and T3. The 75 would be improved to provide hourly links to Cambridge and the T5 would have reliability and coordination improvements, including new evening journeys.

The T2 service will be replaced by a new route from Cambridge North to Darwin Green, Eddington and the east of Cambridge city centre. In Peterborough, services 60 and 61 would be merged and there would be “minor changes” to the timetables of services 62 and 63.

By KIRSTEN MURRAY, SENIOR SHOWBUSINESS REPORTER

Published: 23:01 BST, 9 September 2026 | Updated: 04:18 BST, 10 September 2026

An application to convert the former Vahe Bar, on the ground floor of 31-33 Goodramgate, into a shop and its first floor into two flats has been refused.

Plans from Vahe Nesserian stated the conversion would significantly improve the first floor of the building, which is thought to date to the 15th century, and not cause unacceptable harm.

But City of York Council planning officers ruled the works would harm the Grade II-listed designated heritage asset and there was not enough information about fire separation.

The decision comes after plans for the works were lodged in January.

RECOMMENDED READING:

They included two two-bedroom flats on the first floor, along with the shop on the ground floor.

The building was originally a home and went on to be altered in the 18th, 19th and 20th centuries.

It was home to a number of shops in the 2000s before its conversion to a venue trading as Kokos International Bar was approved in 2006.

The venue rebranded as Vahe Bar in 2012.

31-33 Goodramgate (Image: Vahe Nersessian)

Plans stated the building was of special architectural interest in York’s historic conservation area.

The plans stated: “The building exhibits a strong capacity for change, given its history of alterations and the presence of incongruous additions.

“This underscores the need for sensitive intervention, allowing modern requirements to be accommodated without compromising heritage significance.”

But planning officers stated the works would result in the erosion of the historic circulation through the building and the addition of a modern ‘mini-bridge’.

Officers said: “Insufficient information has been submitted to establish that fire separation can be achieved without harm to the exposed historic ceiling structure, while the proposed external extract grille would detract from the appearance of the listed building.

“The identified harm has not been clearly or convincingly justified and no public benefits have been identified that would outweigh the harm.”

Gary Siders Senior, 73, is unable to stand trial die to his declining mental health as three other adults facing charges have pleaded not guilty

A man whose 16 grandchildren were found living in a ‘house of horrors’ in Ohio has been found mentally incompetent to stand trial on Wednesday.

The children were discovered living in squalid conditions at a rural southern Ohio home in June.

Gary Siders Senior, 73, appeared in court in a wheelchair with his attorney Dorian Baum telling the judge his mental health has been declining for years and is “not restorable.”

Baum said: “It’s not really a surprise to any of us that he’s not been found competent at this point. He doesn’t fully understand or appreciate what’s going on.”

Siders was charged with 16 counts of child endangerment related to the children, who were rescued on June 30 from the home in Hamden about 80 miles (129 kilometers) south of Columbus.

Siders’ wife, Christina Siders; son Gary Siders Jr, and daughter-in-law, Elizabeth Siders, the children’s mother, have pleaded not guilty.

Police found that the children were confined to mainly one small room under deplorable conditions.

Advertisement

They ranged from 18 months to 18 years, with some unable to speak and described as ‘feral’.

The children weren’t enrolled in school, the family moved around over the past two decades, and neighbours said they’d never spotted the kids.

The eldest child was born in May 2008, two months after Gary Siders Jr., then 18, and Elizabeth, then 15, crossed into West Virginia to marry at the Mason County Courthouse with her parents’ consent, according to court records.

Documents show that Elizabeth has been pregnant most years since then.

At the time of their discovery police said that the children were ‘kept in worse conditions than livestock’.

All of them were cramped inside a ruined three-and-a-half square metre property that was covered in human waste.

Ohio Attorney General Andy Wilson described the shocking conditions as ‘pure evil’.

“Rape myths cause real harm. They prevent people from coming forward, they allow perpetrators to escape justice, and they undermine our entire criminal justice system.”

Organisations offering support to survivors of sexual violence in Northern Ireland are taking part in a campaign challenging misconceptions about rape.

Justice Minister Naomi Long said she believed the campaign would help raise awareness around the realities of sexual violence.

The Department of Justice is launching the second phase of the Rape Myths = Real Harm campaign.

Support organisations have said that misconceptions about sexual violence can make survivors doubt their own experience or feel afraid about reporting.

The minister said the campaign would tackle misconceptions around the offence of rape including the way a survivor is dressed, their age or sexuality, whether they have consented to sexual activity previously and whether the attack is reported straight away.

Videos featuring representatives from organisations such as Nexus and Women’s Aid will be published across the department’s social media channels.

This phase builds on the first phase of the campaign, launched in March, which saw 12 graphics challenging commonly held myths about sexual offending shared across social media.

The 2019 Gillen Review into the law and procedures in serious sexual offences in Northern Ireland dedicated a chapter to the impact rape myths can have both on society and on jury verdicts in serious sexual offence trials.

Karen Devlin, from Women’s Aid, features in one of the videos in the campaign.

She said: “Rape myths are assumptions made in society that inform attitudes and behaviours and how we treat the subject of rape and sexual assault, how we treat the victims and the dismissive attitudes towards victims and how we deal with perpetrators.

“There are a number of myths in society, the most common one being that you are most likely to be raped by a stranger.

“It is one of those things we are trying to shift culturally. It is going to take time to do so but we are starting to see that change.

“More people are coming forward and reporting what has been happening.

“Unfortunately, rape and sexual assault are shrouded with secrecy.”

She added: “It can be a case of why didn’t you report it earlier or why didn’t you say something at the time or what were you wearing when it happened, were you drinking alcohol.

“Things like that are victim-blaming language and it really takes away the onus on the perpetrator.

“That is why it is important we challenge those myths wherever we can to break down those barriers so victims and survivors can get the help they need and perpetrators can be held accountable.”

Joanne Barnes, chief executive of Nexus, said: “Myths about sexual violence can cause real harm to survivors – making them doubt their own experiences or feel afraid to come forward.

“At Nexus NI, we see this every day in our work supporting individuals with lived experience.

“This campaign is an important step in challenging those myths and helping people understand what consent really means.

“We’re proud to support this second phase which seeks to ensure a better understanding of sexual offences across our society.”

Ms Long said the campaign “confronts the myths” that surround rape and sexual violence.

She said: “The way a person is dressed, their age or sexuality, whether they have consented to sexual activity previously, perhaps a victim doesn’t report an attack straight away; these are just some of the myths this campaign is seeking to address.

“I am pleased that organisations – those working every day with victims, survivors and communities, have lent their voices to the campaign. These organisations see first-hand the real harm that rape myths cause — the shame, the self-blame, the silence.

“Their voices carry enormous weight, and I am grateful to each of them for their commitment to this campaign.

“Rape myths cause real harm. They prevent people from coming forward, they allow perpetrators to escape justice, and they undermine our entire criminal justice system.

“Together, we can shatter them.”

For all the latest news, visit the Belfast Live homepage here and sign up to our daily newsletter here.

A homeowner stumbled upon the largest hoard of Viking Age silver ever found in Denmark while doing gardening work to remove “stubborn grass” in his backyard.

The treasure, weighing about 18.5kg, was discovered in the northern region of Rebild. It’s almost three times bigger than the largest Viking Age silver hoard unearthed in the country previously.

Archaeologists who inspected the hoard said the treasure was placed in a clay vessel and buried sometime in the 10th century.

It consisted of almost 700 objects, including silver bars, bracelets, 50 coins, and a small Thor‘s hammer artefact that likely served as a lucky charm.

“It should’ve just been a few hours of hard gardening work removing stubborn grass, stones and gravel for a new tiled terrace, but it turned out to be the biggest surprise of my life,” said the homeowner, who asked to remain anonymous.

“After half an hour of digging, my grip hit something that made a strange sound. At first I thought it was old iron, or fence wire and some potsherds, but when I started digging with my hands, I was able to fish one metal object after another out of the ground.”

Nearly 320 of the more than 700 objects were found whole in their original clay vessel, while the rest were scattered as fragments in the soil around it.

“This is a find of great importance for our understanding of the Viking Age in Denmark,” archaeologist Torben Sarauw from the Museums of North Jutland said. “Not just because of its size but also because the treasure clearly shows how silver functioned as wealth and a means of payment in the Viking Age. It’s like finding a safe from the Viking Age.”

One of the silver bars is engraved with runes that can be read as “hutu”. Researchers suspect it may be a name, an ownership symbol, or some other significant form of marking.

The hoard is also peculiar as it is dominated by bars, jewellery and silver clips, with coins only making up a very small part of the total weight, unlike previously discovered Viking treasure in Denmark.

“When we analyse the weight of the silver objects, the treasure reveals information about the economic practices of the Viking Age,” Dr Sarauw said.

“The treasure does not only consist of beautiful objects. Most of them are part of a structured value system by weight.”

During the Viking Age, scrap silver, bars and jewellery were used as means of payment, with the weight of the silver being the decisive measure. People often cut silver into smaller pieces or melted it down.

Archaeologists could see signs of this practice in the Rebild hoard as well where a large number of silver bars, bracelets, and scraps were found grouped around specific weight groups.

The hoard contained Arab dirhams as well as Anglo-Saxon coins, pointing to Denmark’s connection with large parts of Europe and areas far to the east during the Viking Age.

Two of the Anglo-Saxon silver pennies were minted under King Edward the Elder, who reigned from 899 to 924, providing an important dating point for the hoard.

“That’s what is fascinating about the find,” Dr Sarauw noted. “The silver was hidden in Rebild, but it points to a much larger world.”

“The new silver treasure shows that the Rebild area wasn’t a peripheral region,” the archaeologist said, “but part of the large economic and cultural connections that linked Scandinavia with the areas around the Baltic Sea and the Islamic world to the east, as well as with the North Sea area, England and western Europe to the west.”

EXCLUSIVE: A Nationalist MSP described the positions taken by Michael Marra and Joe Fagan on an IndyRef2 as “laughable”.

The SNP has challenged the two candidates vying to become the next leader of Scottish Labour to spell out how a second referendum on independence can be achieved.

Party members have one week left to vote for either Michael Marra or Joe Fagan to take charge following the resignation of Anas Sarwar in July.

The new Scottish Labour leader will be unveiled on September 19 and will likely face immediate pressure from the Nationalists over the UK Government’s repeated refusals to sanction an IndyRef2.

It comes after Andy Burnham yesterday told the House of Commons there would be no vote on the constitution until it’s “clear” a majority of Scots want one.

The PM had previously told John Swinney that a second referendum remains “off limits”.

Burnham was asked at PMQs about the position of Northern Ireland, where a border poll can be triggered if the Secretary of State believes a majority of people would vote for Irish unification.

SNP MP Chris Law said voters in Scotland should have the “equal right to choose their own future” as those in the province.

Burnham responded: “I would say exactly the same situation in Scotland. I am not aware that there is a majority of public support for another referendum and until that changes there won’t be one.”

The comments were seized on by the SNP who called for Fagan and Marra to spell out whether they agreed.

Nationalist MSP David Linden said: “Michael Marra and Joe Fagan have so far failed to answer a very basic question – how do the Scottish people exercise our democratic right to decide our own future?

“The pair want to lead the Labour Party in Scotland, but their answers have so far been laughable. “Senior Labour Party politicians are breaking ranks or tripping over themselves trying to explain their thought process on such a simple concept – what is the mechanism for the Scottish people’s voice to be heard?

“There are First Ministers across these islands that support constitutional change, but the Labour Party in Scotland do not believe the Scottish people has the ride to decide our own future. It is absurd.

“The people of Scotland will democratically decide our own future and unless the leadership of the Labour Party respects that basic democratic principle – the deeper their difficulties will become.”

Fagan previously told the Record he would never back an IndyRef2 if he wins the leadership this month.

The South Scotland MSP also said he would not support a cross-party agreement to produce a route map for a second referendum.

Speaking to the Record, Fagan was asked if there are any circumstances in which he as party leader would support indyref2. “No,” he said.

He added: “The question I think you are really asking is are there circumstances in which another independence referendum is legitimate? That is up for the people who are proponents of independence and a referendum to set out their case.”

Marra previously echoed Burnham’s position and claimed “here has to be sustained clear majority in favour” of a referendum before one can take place.

Speaking at a radio debate, the MSP was asked how voters move to independence. Marra said: “Well, they [the SNP] have to generate the settled will of the Scottish people and that will become an inevitability at that point if it becomes such.”

He added: “I think you measure it in a variety of ways. I suppose you would look at opinion polls. You would look at election results. There are mechanisms and ways.”

Trump also said further negotiations with Iran could possibly happen, “but it’s not something we’re looking at”.

The US president initially predicted the war, which is now in its seventh month, would last only a matter of weeks. The conflict, and its knock-on effects on everything from gas to groceries, has led to a steep decline in his approval ratings – and pressure from those within his party, including devout supporters, to quickly end the war.

Midterm elections will be held on 3 November, and Republicans are in danger of losing their control on Congress.

At the convention, Trump sought to energise the party ahead of November. Historically, a sitting president’s party tends to lose seats in Congress in the midterm elections.

Fighting in the Middle East has intensified in recent days, as oil facilities throughout the region come under attack, driving up the global price of fuel and any item that requires shipping.

The price of oil hit $100 a barrel on Wednesday for the first time since July. Similarly, earlier this week the price of US diesel hit an all-time-high, which is likely to cause a ripple effect on prices across the US.

On Wednesday, the US military said it had attacked five oil tanker ships with ties to Iran. Tehran, in response, launched attacks on two US Navy destroyers and eight oil tankers in the Strait of Hormuz, causing “heavy damage” to the vessels, according to Iranian state media.

A day earlier, the Iran-linked Houthis in Yemen launched a wave of attacks in Saudi Arabia, sparking fires at oil facilities.

The fighting, which began again recently after a 60-day ceasefire between the US and Iran formally expired last month, has also raised predictions that the rising fuel costs could lead to higher interest rates in the US.

The disgraced stepson of Norway’s new monarch appeared to be shunned by his step-grandmother Queen Sonja at the funeral of her husband King Harald V’s on Wednesday.

Marius Borg Høiby, 29, who has no royal title or duties, is currently serving a four-year prison sentence under house arrest at his parents’ Skaugum Estate while he appeals his conviction for two counts of rape. 

He joined his stepfather King Haakon VIII, and half-siblings Crown Princess Ingrid Alexandra, now heir to the throne, and Prince Sverre Magnus, as well as his mother Queen Mette-Marit at Oslo Cathedral for the service.

However, in a sign of his fall from grace, Høiby, dubbed the ‘black sheep’ of the Royal Family was sat in the row behind his loved ones, with his step-aunt Princess Martha Louise and her daughters.

He also appeared to be shunned by his step-grandmother Queen Sonja. In a video shared online on X, Harald’s widow, 89, hugged each one of Martha Louise’s daughter, who Høiby arrived alongside.

But when the moment came for her step-grandson to come forward for an affectionate greeting, the Queen started a conversation with the Bishop of Oslo Sunniva Gylver, perhaps hoping to avoid hugging the rapist. 

It’s unclear if the two shared a more positive hello off camera, since Høiby wasn’t seen during the entirety of the clip.

Meanwhile, the Bishop looked somewhat stern as she greeted Mette-Marit’s son from a previous relationship on the steps of the cathedral ahead of the service. 

The Bishop looked somewhat stern as she greeted Mette-Marit’s son from a previous relationship on the steps of the cathedral ahead of the service

Høiby previously joined his relatives to carry the coffin of Harald from the Royal Palace to the palace chapel last week while temporarily released, sparking fierce backlash from royal fans.

Haakon’s stepson was convicted on two counts of rape and jailed for four years following a six-week trial that laid bare allegations of violence, drug abuse and sexual misconduct.

An Oslo court also found him guilty of assaulting his former girlfriend, Nora Haukland, issuing threats and committing traffic offences, although he was acquitted of two other rape charges.

The 29-year-old had been charged with sexually assaulting four women who were asleep or otherwise unable to resist between 2018 and 2024.

The conviction marked a fall for Hoiby, who grew up in the public eye after his mother married then Crown Prince Haakon in 2001 when he was just four years old.

Although he does not hold a royal title or carry out official duties, he has long been closely associated with the Norwegian royal family.

Judge Jon Sverdrup Efjestad handed down the sentence after hearing evidence linked to 40 charges, including four alleged rapes, assaults, breaches of restraining orders, drug offences and driving violations. One charge relating to a restraining-order violation was overturned.

The court heard how Hoiby’s drug addiction spiralled in recent years, while investigators presented more than 800 messages and a series of self-made videos of sexual encounters as evidence during the trial.

Marius Borg Høiby, 29, who has no royal title or duties, is currently serving a four-year prison sentence under house arrest at his parents’ Skaugum Estate while he appeals his conviction for two counts of rape

Advertisement

Høiby joined his stepfather King Haakon VIII, and half-siblings Crown Princess Ingrid Alexandra, now heir to the throne, and Prince Sverre Magnus, as well as his mother Queen Mette-Marit at Oslo Cathedral for the service

However, in a sign of his fall from grace, Høiby, dubbed the ‘black sheep’ of the Royal Family was sat in the row behind his loved ones, with his step-aunt Princess Martha Louise and her daughters

He also appeared to be shunned by his step-grandmother Queen Sonja. In a video shared online on X, Harald’s widow, 89, hugged each one of Martha Louise’s daughter, who Høiby arrived alongside (pictured)

One alleged rape took place in the basement of the family home, the court was told.

Høiby, who denied the most serious allegations, including rape, while admitting to some lesser offences, was not physically present in court for the verdict and instead joined proceedings via video link.

Haakon and Mette-Marit were pictured visiting Høiby in custody ahead of the sentencing in June, but they did not attend the high-profile trial that rocked the country.

Ahead of the trial, Haakon made his longest statement about the charges against Høiby, noting ‘we care about him and he is an important member of our family’, while reiterating that his stepson is not a working royal and does not have any titles. 

The monarch said: ‘Our thoughts are with everyone who is affected by this case. It has an impact on the individuals, their families and all those who care about them. We understand that this is a difficult time for many of you, and we sympathise. 

‘At the same time, it is reassuring to know that we live in a state governed by the rule of law. I am confident that those responsible for overseeing the proceedings will ensure that the trial is conducted in as orderly, proper, and just a manner as possible. 

‘Marius Borg Høiby is not a member of the Royal House of Norway and is therefore autonomous. We care about him, and he is an important member of our family. He is a citizen of Norway and, as such, has the same responsibilities as everyone else – as well as the same rights.’

On Thursday, royals from around the world including Prince William and Princess Anne attended the funeral of King Harald V.

The Prince of Wales represented his father King Charles at the service at Oslo Cathedral, while his aunt, the Princess Royal, attended in a private and personal capacity as godmother of the new King Haakon.

The Bishop of Oslo Sunniva Gylver greets Hoiby at the front of Oslo Cathedral 

Hoiby arrives for the funeral of Norway’s King Harald V at Oslo Cathedral 

Norway’s Prince Sverre Magnus, King Haakon and Crown Princess Ingrid Alexandra led the funeral procession 

The funeral procession with Norway’s King Harald’s coffin leaves the Palace on the way to Oslo Cathedral on the day of his funeral

Advertisement

Queen Mette-Marit appeared solemn at her father-in-law’s funeral

They were joined by other royals, including King Felipe of Spain, Queen Rania of Jordan and Princess Charlene of Monaco. 

The coffin was taken from the palace to the cathedral in a procession of senior Norwegian royals including King Haakon, foreign guests and representatives from Norway’s and other parliaments. 

Haakon walked behind the coffin, draped with the red Norwegian royal standard, alongside his eldest child Crown Princess Ingrid Alexandra, his son Prince Sverre Magnus and his sister Princess Martha Louise.

Queen Mette-Marit, who missed her husband’s swearing-in ceremony due to ‘complications’ from her recent lung transplant surgery in June, and Harald’s widow Queen Sonja followed the coffin in a car.  

King Frederik and Queen Mary of Denmark and King Carl XVI Gustaf and Queen Silvia of Sweden also joined the procession.

Political leaders including Norwegian prime minister Jonas Gahr Store, German president Frank-Walter Steinmeier and Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskyy were also in attendance. 

The public lined the streets of the Norwegian capital in their thousands to bid a final farewell to Harald, who reigned for 35 years.

Scores of churches, libraries, cultural centres and city halls were also making big screens available for the public to watch the funeral, public broadcaster NRK reported.

A 21-gun salute rang out over the capital at the start of the funeral procession.

From left, King Hakkon, Prince Sverre Magnus, Crown Princess Ingrid Alexandra, Marius Borg Hoiby, Princess Martha Louise, Leah Behn and Emma Behn carry the coffin of King Harald V

The Norwegian royal house also has kinfolk in other European royal families. Harald and Haakon are related to both King Charles and Spain’s King Felipe, who are all descendants of Queen Victoria. 

King Harald V passed away on August 28 at the age of 89 after suffering a rare blood condition known as haemolytic anaemia.

His son immediately became King Haakon VIII and last week pledged an oath of allegiance to Norway’s constitution in parliament.

Ahead of the funeral, Norwegians waited patiently to file past Harald’s coffin as it lay in state in the chapel of the royal palace in Oslo, with the queue stretching seven hours long over the weekend.

After the funeral, Harald’s coffin will be taken in a procession to the palace chapel at Akershus Castle, where the late king’s ancestors are buried.

After a private ceremony for the Norwegian royals, who will be joined by some of the foreign guests and senior Norwegian officials, it will be lowered into the crypt.

Today, the throne’s role in Norway is largely symbolic and power lies with the elected government and parliament, but the Norwegian royal family retains a role in promoting the wealthy Scandinavian nation around the world.

Norway’s monarchy traces its origins to King Harald Fairhair in the ninth century. When Norway regained its independence from Sweden in 1905, three-quarters of voters in a national plebiscite approved restoring the monarchy.

A minute’s silence was held across Norway at the start of the funeral ceremony. Eulogies were delivered by Norway’s parliament speaker and prime minister, and there was a candle-lighting ceremony with representatives of different faiths.

The government says it’s not an official holiday, but schools and workplaces could individually opt to let students and employees tune in for today’s events. The government advised that ‘noisy events should be suspended while the funeral is ongoing’.