The official announcement came from the palace on Friday morning. According to the statement, Princess Astrid passed away in her sleep earlier that day. King Haakon VIII received the news with great sorrow and immediately ordered flags to be flown at half-mast from the Royal Palace balcony. Furthermore, the flags will remain at half-mast on the day of Princess Astrid’s funeral, though specific details of the ceremony have not yet been released.

Final Public Appearance at King Harald’s Funeral

Princess Astrid’s last public appearance occurred on Wednesday, September 9, when she attended the state funeral of King Harald at Oslo Cathedral. Despite experiencing health problems in recent months, she joined relatives and foreign royals to bid farewell to her younger brother. However, observers noted that she arrived at the cathedral in a wheelchair, a visible sign of her declining health. This appearance would ultimately become her final public farewell.

Days earlier, the palace had released moving photographs of Astrid visiting her brother’s coffin in the Palace Chapel. One image showed her sitting quietly beside the casket in contemplation. Additionally, other photographs captured her looking from a palace window at the flowers and tributes left by mourners in Palace Square. These poignant images now serve as a testament to the deep bond between the siblings.

Last Surviving Child of King Olav V

Following King Harald’s death on August 28, Princess Astrid became the last surviving child of King Olav V and Crown Princess Märtha. Their older sister, Princess Ragnhild, died in 2012. Consequently, Princess Astrid’s death marks the end of an entire generation of Norwegian royalty. She had served as a working member of the Norwegian Royal Family for over 75 years, making her one of the world’s oldest working royals at the time of her passing.

Born in 1932, Princess Astrid took on significant responsibilities at a young age. Remarkably, she became Norway’s First Lady at the age of 22 when her mother, Crown Princess Märtha, passed away. She served in this role for her grandfather and father from 1954 to 1968, representing the Royal House with grace and dedication during a formative period in Norway’s modern history.

King Haakon’s Personal Tribute

“Throughout her long life, Princess Astrid represented the Royal House in a warm and dutiful manner,” King Haakon said in his tribute. “At the age of 22, she had to step into the role of First Lady when my grandmother, Crown Princess Märtha, passed away.”

The King’s statement praised his aunt’s lifetime of service and the support she provided to multiple generations of the royal family. He emphasized her deep commitment to caring for vulnerable members of society. In particular, King Haakon noted that Princess Astrid was always particularly concerned with care and inclusion for the most vulnerable in society. Moreover, he described her as very loyal, always carrying out her duties with commitment, presence and an infectious spirit.

“Aunt Astrid was an important support for King Harald and the rest of us in the family,” Haakon added. “We learned a lot from her and she was not afraid to speak up.”

The King concluded his tribute by calling her passing a great loss for the family. He extended his family’s warm thoughts to Princess Astrid’s closest friends.

Tributes From Her Five Children

Princess Astrid’s five children-Cathrine, Benedikte, Alexander, Elisabeth and Carl-Christian Ferner-honored their mother in a joint statement released through the palace. Their tribute offered an intimate glimpse into the princess’s character as both a mother and a royal figure. The statement expressed deep gratitude for her unwavering presence throughout their lives.

“Dear mother, dear Princess Astrid. Thank you for being the best mother we could have,” the statement began. “Throughout your life you were there for us – with love and wisdom, warmth and good humor.”

The children acknowledged their mother’s dedicated service to the royal family as well. Specifically, they noted her support for both King Olav and King Harald, describing her as present, loyal and dutiful. Furthermore, they emphasized her genuine care for those who needed extra support. The statement concluded with gratitude and a promise to cherish her memory.

“In our grief, we stand together in gratitude,” they wrote. “Thank you for all the good memories. You will always have a big place in our hearts.”

Recent Health Challenges

Princess Astrid had faced significant health challenges in the months leading up to her death. According to reports from Se og Hør, she was hospitalized on March 27 after being ill for a period of time. She recovered from a bout of pneumonia during that hospitalization. However, in May, she was hospitalized again due to heart failure and had a temporary pacemaker inserted. She was discharged sometime over the summer, though her health remained fragile.

Despite these challenges, Princess Astrid remained committed to her royal duties as much as her health permitted. In an interview on her 93rd birthday, she reflected on her continued involvement with the royal family. Her words captured her enduring sense of duty and dedication to service.

“It’s fun and nice to be useful,” she said in that interview.

Prior to King Harald’s funeral, Princess Astrid was photographed visiting her younger brother in the hospital before he passed away. This final visit underscored the close relationship between the siblings, who had supported each other throughout their long lives of royal service. The images of their farewell now hold particular poignancy in light of both siblings’ subsequent deaths.

A Life of Dedicated Service

Princess Astrid’s passing marks the end of an era for the Norwegian royal family. Her 75 years of service to the Royal House spanned significant periods of Norwegian history and multiple generations of the monarchy. Consequently, her contributions to the nation’s royal traditions and her commitment to charitable causes will be remembered as an integral part of her legacy. The double loss of King Harald and Princess Astrid within weeks of each other represents a profound transition for Norway’s monarchy, as a new generation now carries forward the responsibilities once shouldered by these dedicated royals.

Funeral arrangements for Princess Astrid will be announced in due course by the Royal House. The nation now mourns the loss of a princess who dedicated her life to service and family.

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