Princess Astrid Of Norway Has Passed Away
Princess Astrid of Norway has died at the age of 94, just two days following the state funeral of her brother, King Harald V.
Norway’s royal family has lost another pillar: Princess Astrid, the older sister of the late King Harald V, died on Friday 11 September at the age of 94, just two days after her brother’s state funeral. The death follows a week of national mourning and a high‑profile royal procession that drew monarchs and heads of state from around the world.
Princess Astrid was born on 12 February 1932 in Oslo as the second daughter of Crown Prince Olav and Crown Princess Martha. When her mother died in 1954, the 22‑year‑old stepped into the role of first lady, representing the king for fourteen years until his son Harald married Sonja in 1968. She married Olympic sailor Johan Martin Ferner in 1961, and the couple had five children: Cathrine, Benedikte, Alexander, Elisabeth and Carl‑Christian.
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In the months before her death, Astrid’s health had been fragile. Hospitalised with pneumonia in early 2026, she later required treatment for heart failure and received a temporary pacemaker in May.
The funeral of King Harald V, who died on 28 August at the age of 89, was a moment of national sorrow and international solidarity. The state service on 9 September drew a constellation of royals—Prince William, Princess Anne, Crown Prince Akishino, and monarchs from Denmark, Sweden, Spain, the Netherlands, Belgium, Luxembourg, Monaco, Jordan and Greece—as well as political leaders, including the presidents of Germany and Finland and the prime minister of France. The procession from the Royal Palace to Oslo Cathedral was marked by a 21‑gun salute and a solemn minute of silence for the late king.
Following the funeral, the Royal Palace announced that the flag on the balcony of the Royal Palace would be flown at half‑mast on the day of Princess Astrid’s death and again on her funeral day. The palace’s statement, echoed by King Haakon VIII, described her as a “loyal” and “devoted” figure who had “always carried out her duties with commitment, presence and an infectious spirit.” He added that she had been a “great support to King Harald and the rest of the family” and that her passing was a “great loss.”
Her children released a joint statement that praised her as “the best mother we could have” and recalled her wisdom, warmth and sense of humour. The statement, signed by Cathrine, Benedikte, Alexander, Elisabeth and Carl‑Christian, also thanked the public for their condolences.
Princess Astrid’s death underscores the close-knit nature of Norway’s royal family. She was the last surviving child of King Olav V and Crown Princess Martha, after her older sister Princess Ragnhild died in 2012. Her brother Harald’s reign of 35 years had made him one of Europe’s longest‑serving monarchs, and his funeral was a grand event that highlighted the continued relevance of the Norwegian monarchy in a modern constitutional system.
While the Royal Palace has not yet released details of Princess Astrid’s funeral, the family and the nation are preparing for another ceremony of remembrance.
For readers tracking the unfolding events, a timeline of key dates is helpful:
- 12 Feb 1932 – Princess Astrid born in Oslo.
- 1954 – Becomes first lady after her mother’s death.
- 1961 – Marries Johan Martin Ferner.
- 1968 – Harald marries Sonja; Astrid steps back from first‑lady duties.
- 28 Aug 2026 – King Harald V dies at Oslo University Hospital.
- 9 Sept 2026 – State funeral of King Harald V in Oslo Cathedral.
- 11 Sept 2026 – Princess Astrid dies at 94.
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| King Harald V death | 28 Aug 2026 |
| State funeral | 9 Sept 2026 |
| Princess Astrid death | 11 Sept 2026 |
The Norwegian monarchy’s next steps will include the scheduling of Princess Astrid’s funeral and the continuation of national mourning. The Royal Palace has indicated that the flag will again be lowered to half‑mast on the day of her funeral, signalling respect and remembrance.
