Princess Astrid of Norway dies at 94, just two days after King Harald’s funeral

Princess Astrid of Norway has died at the age of 94, just two days after attending the state funeral of her younger brother, King Harald V.

The Norwegian Royal House announced the news on Friday, September 11, revealing that the princess “passed away peacefully” earlier that day.

“His Majesty the King has received with great sorrow the news that Princess Astrid has passed away,” the palace said in its official statement. 

King Haakon VIII ordered the flag above the Royal Palace balcony to be flown at half-mast on Friday and again on the day of Princess Astrid’s funeral. Details of the ceremony have not yet been released.

Her death comes at an already painful moment for Norway’s royal family. Princess Astrid attended King Harald’s funeral at Oslo Cathedral on Wednesday, September 9, joining relatives and foreign royals as the late monarch was laid to rest following his death on August 28.

© Det Kongelige Hoff

The princess, who had experienced health problems in recent months, arrived at the cathedral in a wheelchair. Her 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 showed her sitting quietly beside the casket, while others captured her looking from a palace window at the flowers and tributes left by mourners in Palace Square.

© NTB

Following Harald’s death, Astrid became the last surviving child of King Olav V and Crown Princess Märtha. Their older sister, Princess Ragnhild, died in 2012.

King Haakon remembers his aunt:

In a personal tribute, King Haakon praised Princess Astrid’s lifetime of service and the support she provided to multiple generations of the royal family.

© Chris Jackson

“Throughout a long life, Princess Astrid represented the Royal House in a warm and dutiful manner,” the King said. He remembered his aunt as deeply committed to caring for vulnerable members of society and described her as loyal, engaged and gifted with an infectious sense of humor.

“Aunt Astrid was an important support to King Harald and the rest of our family,” Haakon added. “We learned a great deal from her, and she was not afraid to speak her mind.”

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The King called her passing “a great loss” and extended his family’s thoughts to the princess’s children and closest loved ones. 

Astrid’s five children, Cathrine, Benedikte, Alexander, Elisabeth and Carl-Christian Ferner, also honored their mother in a joint statement.

© Ragnar Singsaas

They remembered her love, wisdom, warmth and humor, while highlighting the steadfast support she gave to both King Olav and King Harald.

“In our grief, we stand together with gratitude,” the family said. “Thank you for all the wonderful memories. You will forever hold a great place in our hearts.” 

© Central Press

A lifetime devoted to Norway:

Born on February 12, 1932, Astrid Maud Ingeborg was the second daughter of then Crown Prince Olav and Crown Princess Märtha.

© Mark Cuthbert

She was only 22 when her mother died in 1954, leaving her to assume the responsibilities of Norway’s first lady. Astrid served in the role until 1968, when her brother Harald married Sonja Haraldsen and the new crown princess took over those duties. 

Astrid married Johan Martin Ferner in 1961, and the couple welcomed five children. Although she later reduced her official workload, she continued representing the monarchy and supporting charitable organizations well into her nineties.

© New York Daily News

The princess was hospitalized with pneumonia earlier in 2026. In May, the palace announced that she was receiving treatment for heart failure and had been fitted with a temporary pacemaker. However, the Royal House has not stated whether those health issues were connected to her death. 

Her passing brings another profound loss for Norway’s royal family, only 14 days after the death of King Harald and two days after the siblings’ final farewell.