Norway’s royal family loses Princess Astrid at 94
Princess Astrid of Norway, the sister of the late King Harald V. Photo/BBC
Norway’s royal family is mourning again after Princess Astrid, the sister of the late King Harald V, died aged 94, just two days after attending her brother’s funeral.
The Norwegian Royal Palace announced her death, bringing another emotional chapter to a royal family that has had little time to catch its breath.
King Haakon VIII, Astrid’s nephew, paid tribute to the princess, saying she had represented the Royal House with warmth and a strong sense of duty throughout her long life.
Her brother’s funeral was her last public appearance
Astrid attended King Harald’s funeral on Wednesday, surrounded by European royals, world leaders and thousands of mourners who lined the streets of Oslo.
Harald died last month aged 89 after more than 35 years on Norway’s throne.
For Astrid, the funeral turned out to be her final public appearance.
Her health had reportedly declined in recent months, and she received hospital treatment for pneumonia in March.
Astrid was Norway’s first lady
Princess Astrid was the last surviving child of King Olav V, who ruled Norway from 1957 until 1991.
Her unusual royal journey began when she was just 22.
After her mother, Crown Princess Märtha, died in 1954, Astrid became Norway’s first lady. Her father, Olav, never remarried, meaning Astrid retained the role for 14 years.
She finally stepped aside after her brother Harald married in 1968.
In other words, Astrid spent years carrying an important public role before eventually handing the royal spotlight back to her brother and his new wife.
A royal known for helping others
King Haakon said Astrid was particularly concerned with care and inclusion for vulnerable people.
“Throughout her long life, Princess Astrid represented the Royal House in a warm and dutiful manner,” the King said.
He also praised her commitment to people who needed support, highlighting the work she carried out during her decades of public service.
Norway to honour Princess Astrid
Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre said Astrid would be buried at state expense.
Flags will also be flown at half-mast across Norway as the country mourns the princess.
Her death comes at a particularly difficult moment for the Norwegian royal family, which has been dealing with both bereavement and controversy in recent months.
The family had just said goodbye to King Harald, while separate controversies involving members of the younger generation have also kept the Norwegian monarchy in the headlines.
For Astrid, however, the final public chapter was one of family and duty: attending her brother’s funeral before passing away two days later at the age of 94.
