The Prince of Wales will attend the funeral of King Harald V of Norway in Oslo on Wednesday, Buckingham Palace has announced.

Princess Anne will also attend, in a personal capacity. She is godmother to Norway's new monarch, King Haakon VIII.

Royal sources say Prince William's attendance on behalf of his father, King Charles, follows the convention that a reigning monarch does not usually attend the funeral of another head of state.

King Harald V, described as a popular and modernising figure, died last month at the age of 89. He had reigned for 35 years.

Large crowds are expected for the farewell ceremony on 9 September. A funeral procession will be followed by a service at Oslo Cathedral.

Thousands of people have already queued to pay their respects to the late king during his lying in state at the chapel of the Royal Palace in the Norwegian capital.

Among those attending the funeral alongside Prince William will be the widowed Queen Sonja, members of the Norwegian royal family including the new King Haakon VIII, and other European royals.

The service will be followed by a private burial at Norway's royal mausoleum in Akershus Fortress.