OSLO, Sept 9, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - "Sarcophagus": that was the unexpected word Norway's King Harald V uttered to begin an October 2024 speech, joking about his final resting place -- a $2 million sarcophagus whose design remains a secret.

The monarch was poking fun at a line that had recently appeared in the government's budget: 20 million kroner, or around $2 million, to finance the elaborate coffin he would one day share with his wife, Queen Sonja.

"The government budget this year included an item that, surprisingly, may call to mind pyramids and Egyptian burial chambers -- before some people rush to Google, as we now say, to look up the meaning of the word," he joked.

"I hope it will be well-padded so that the stay is comfortable. We're going to be there for quite a while, after all," he added, thanking the authorities for "their concern for us in the hereafter".

Harald, who died on August 28 at the age of 89, will on Wednesday be placed in the sarcophagus, which has not yet been unveiled to the public.

After a service at the Oslo Cathedral that begins at 1:00 pm (1100 GMT), his casket will be transported in a procession to the Akershus Castle, a medieval fortress overlooking Oslo Fjord, where a private ceremony will take place before he is interred in the crypt of the royal mausoleum.

Designed by the renowned Norwegian architectural firm Snohetta -- which also created the Oslo Opera House and the Bibliotheca Alexandrina in Egypt -- the double sarcophagus will be placed next to two others inside the small mausoleum, inaugurated in 1949 as an annex to the castle chapel.

One, in white marble, stands in the centre of the room and contains the remains of the first king of the current dynasty, Haakon VII, Harald's grandfather, and his wife, Queen Maud.

The other, in dark green patinated bronze, contains his parents, King Olav V and Crown Princess Martha.

Both were designed by architect Arnstein Arneberg, who also created the mausoleum.

According to newspaper Aftenposten, this form of burial is a Norwegian tradition specific to the royal family.

For Harald and Sonja, the royal palace has previously said the design was developed "with respect for traditions" and in consultation with the couple.

Usually open to the public during visits to Akershus Castle, the royal mausoleum is currently closed to visitors.