Norway is preparing for a second royal funeral. Two days after the country buried King Harald, the Royal Palace announced that Harald’s older sister, 94-year-old Princess Astrid, had died as well. She never stood in line for the throne, but few members of the Norwegian court were as beloved, or served it as long. At 22, following the death of her mother, Astrid stepped in as her father King Olav’s first lady. She was at the center of royal life decades before her nephew Haakon ever wore a crown.
True to the quiet, understated way she carried herself throughout her life, the Palace has now confirmed exactly when Norway will say goodbye: Wednesday, September 23, at 1:00 p.m.
A church tied to her life’s story
The farewell will take place at Ris Church in Oslo, and the choice is anything but arbitrary. The ceremony, which will be broadcast live on Norwegian television, is being held there because of how closely the church is woven into Astrid’s private life. Ris sits near Vinderen, the neighborhood where she spent decades with her husband, businessman Johan Martin Ferner, raising their five children.
Who will be there
© NTBThe Royal Palace has confirmed that King Haakon, Queen Mette-Marit, Crown Princess Ingrid, and Queen Sonja will all be in attendance. They’ll be joined by Astrid’s own children and other relatives.
Notably, that second group could include Prince Sverre Magnus, who, despite being the king’s son, does not hold formal membership in the Royal House.
Who’s footing the bill?
© Chris JacksonAccording to Norwegian outlet VG, the state will cover the cost of Princess Astrid’s funeral. She never held an official role within the monarchy, but her service to the crown began early: in 1954, when King Olav was newly widowed, she stepped into the first lady role at 22, a dynamic with an echo in the family today, as Crown Princess Ingrid has already begun standing in for Queen Mette-Marit at major engagements amid Mette-Marit’s own health struggles.
King Haakon’s tribute to his aunt
© NTB/AFP via Getty ImagesWhen Astrid’s death was announced, King Haakon VIII ordered the flags above the Royal Palace balcony lowered to half-staff and shared a personal tribute to his aunt.
“Throughout her long life, Princess Astrid represented the royal house with warmth and dedication. At 22, she had to step into the role of first lady following the death of my grandmother, Crown Princess Märtha. In her work, Princess Astrid always showed a particular interest in caring for and including the most vulnerable in society. She was deeply loyal, and always carried out her duties with commitment, presence, and an infectious spirit. Aunt Astrid was an important source of support for King Harald and the rest of our family. We learned a great deal from her, and she was never afraid to speak her mind. Her passing is a great loss for us. We will miss her greatly. My family and I send our most heartfelt condolences to Aunt Astrid’s closest friends.”
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