Norwegian Princess Astrid Dies at 94, Two Days After Brother's Funeral
SingTao · 2 SOURCESabout 2 hours ago2 MIN
Summary
Norwegian Princess Astrid died on September 11, 2026, at the age of 94, the royal household announced . Her passing came merely two days after she attended the state funeral of her brother, the late King Harald V, on September 9 at Oslo Cathedral . The consecutive deaths have plunged Norway's monarchy into mourning, with the nation losing two core members within two weeks following King Harald's death on August 28 at age 89 .
Key Points
- Princess Astrid was born in 1932 as the daughter of King Olav V and Crown Princess Märtha, and her life spanned four generations of Norwegian monarchs
- Following her mother's death in 1954 when she was just 22, she assumed the role of Norway's unofficial "first lady" for 14 years until King Harald married Sonja in 1968
- She married Johan Martin Ferner in 1961, with whom she had five children; her husband passed away in 2015
- Her last public appearance was attending King Harald's funeral on September 9, where she sat in a wheelchair and placed a wreath reading "Thank you for everything we shared. Your Astrid"
- Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre announced that Princess Astrid's funeral will be fully funded by the state in recognition of her distinguished service to the nation
Why It Matters
Princess Astrid represented a living link to Norway's royal history, having served under four monarchs from Haakon VII through the current Haakon VIII . Her dedication to royal duty remained unwavering even in her final years—she attended charity events in a wheelchair as recently as May 2026 and was hospitalized for pneumonia in March before returning to public life . Her passing marks the end of an era for the Norwegian monarchy, which has now lost two of its most senior and continuity-sustaining figures within a fortnight.
Princess Astrid represented a living link to Norway's royal history, having served under four monarchs from Haakon VII through the current Haakon VIII . Her dedication to royal duty remained unwavering even in her final years—she attended charity events in a wheelchair as recently as May 2026 and was hospitalized for pneumonia in March before returning to public life . Her passing marks the end of an era for the Norwegian monarchy, which has now lost two of its most senior and continuity-sustaining figures within a fortnight.