In Norway, we have suddenly become preoccupied with sarcophagi. In Denmark, they have been doing it for years.
Under this sarcophagus, Queen Magrethe is to be buried. Alone. Photo: Keld Navntoft/Kongehuset / Ritzau Scanpix
Published: 12/10/2024 17:37
The short version
- The Norwegian government proposes to allocate NOK 20 million for a royal sarcophagus for King Harald and Queen Sonja.
- In Denmark, they have already completed a similar project for NOK 40 million.
- It made headlines, but not because of the price.
The summary is created with the help of artificial intelligence (AI) and quality assured by Aftenposten’s journalists.
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Earlier this week, the government presented proposals for the national budget. There, a rather small expense item (in this context) received a lot of attention:
The government proposes to allocate NOK 20 million to what will be King Harald and Queen Sonja’s final resting place – a sarcophagussarcophagusSarcophagus is a monumental coffin. The coffin often has decorations and inscriptions. .
Red politician Roald Arendtz believes it’s ridiculous. Aftenposten commentator Therese Sollien believes it is a matter of course that we spend 20 million on the royal sarcophagus, which Snow hood shall make.
She believes that 20 million is not very expensive these days either, and points to Denmark.
There, too, they have had one kind sarcophagus project. It went on for 15 years. It was completed in 2018 and had cost around NOK 40 million.
But it wasn’t the price that stole the headlines in Denmark.
Prince Henrik and Queen Margrethe during the Queen’s 77th birthday in 2017. The Prince died in February 2018. Photo: Henning Bagger / NTB
Not together in death
The Danish royal couple’s sarcophagus was designed by Bjørn Nørgaard and today stands covered in Roskilde Cathedral.
The plan was for this to be the final resting place for Queen Margrethe and her late husband Prince Henrik.
It won’t be like this. In 2017, the prince made it clear that he would not be buried together with the queen in Roskilde Cathedral. The rationale was that he was dissatisfied with his role in the royal house.
– It is no secret that for many years the prince has been dissatisfied with his role and the title he has been awarded in the Danish monarchy. That dissatisfaction has increased in recent years, said communications manager Lene Balleby in an interview with Berlingske Tidende that time.
The Norwegian regent couples are buried together in double sarcophagi in the royal mausoleum at Akershus Castle. Today, this is the final resting place for King Haakon VII and Queen Maud and King Olav V and Crown Princess Märtha. Photo: Morten Hvaal / NTB
The prince wanted to be cremated. Half of the ashes were scattered in the sea. The rest were buried in an urn in the castle garden at Fredensborg Castle.
In other words, the prince will not spend eternity side by side with his queen and wife, even if the silhouettes of both are engraved in the sarcophagus that stands there waiting.
Since the 15th century, Danish royal couples have been buried together in Roskilde Cathedral. Now the tradition is being broken.
“Glass Sausage”
In Norway, the remains of the royal family are placed in sarcophagi. This will not be the case for Queen Margrethe.
Her remains are to be embalmed and placed in a crypt under the sarcophagus, which is then not really a sarcophagus, but a monument.
A monument not everyone has been excited about. Among those who do not like the “glass cigar”, is the Danish writer Harald Voetmann.
Queen Margrethe is to be buried in the crypt under this glass sarcophagus, where both she and Prince Henrik are engraved in the glass. Photo: Keld Navntoft/Kongehuset / Ritzau Scanpix
“Bjørn Nørgaard has made the queen’s sarcophagus, which is not really a sarcophagus. And he has chosen to cover the glass sausage with a thick remoulade border of gilded allegories, symbols and heraldry.” wrote Voetmann in Danish Information.
He further believed that the work will be “more special than pretty”.
The Danish royal house quickly announced that the sarcophagus was not going to be changed, even if the prince is not buried under it.
– The artwork reflects the regent couple’s joint work over 50 years, regardless of whether the prince is there or not, said Balleby.
