KEY POINT
Princess Astrid died at 94, according to an announcement from Norway’s Royal Palace.
Her brother, King Harald V, died at 89 after more than 35 years on the throne.
Norway will hold a state-funded funeral for Astrid, with flags flown at half-mast nationwide.
Princess Astrid of Norway has died at the age of 94, two days after attending the burial of her brother, King Harald V. The Norwegian Royal Palace announced her death following the final public appearance of the princess at the royal funeral.
The newly installed King Haakon VIII paid tribute to his aunt, describing her long public life as an important part of the Royal House. He said Astrid represented the institution in a warm and dutiful manner and highlighted her work on behalf of vulnerable people in Norwegian society.
Astrid was the last surviving child of King Olav V, who ruled Norway from 1957 until his death in 1991. Her position within the royal family became particularly significant after the death of her mother, Crown Princess Märtha.
At the age of 22, Astrid became Norway’s first lady in 1954 following her mother’s death. King Olav did not remarry, leaving Astrid to carry out the role until her brother married in 1968.
Her nephew also remembered her public service, particularly her attention to care and inclusion. According to King Haakon, Astrid’s work focused on people considered among the most vulnerable members of society.
Astrid’s health had reportedly weakened during the final months of her life. In March, she received hospital treatment for pneumonia, according to the information provided by the Royal Palace announcement.
King Harald V died at the age of 89 after more than 35 years as Norway’s monarch. His burial in Oslo became a major royal and national event, attracting members of European royal families as well as international political leaders.
Among those attending were the Prince of Wales and three Nordic kings. Thousands of people also gathered along the procession route between the Royal Palace and Oslo Cathedral as the funeral took place on Wednesday afternoon.
Several foreign political leaders travelled to Norway to pay their respects to Harald. Those named in the source include Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier and five foreign prime ministers.
Astrid’s death comes only two days after her appearance at her brother’s burial, marking another significant loss for Norway’s royal family within a very short period.
Her death also closes the chapter on the generation of King Olav V’s immediate family. Astrid had been the last surviving child of the former Norwegian king and had occupied a distinctive public role within the monarchy for decades.
The final months of Harald’s life were accompanied by several personal difficulties involving members of the wider royal family.
Earlier this year, documents showed that Queen Mette-Marit had maintained regular contact with convicted US sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. She later said she wished she had never met him.
The source also reports that Marius Borg Høiby, Mette-Marit’s son from another relationship, was sentenced to four years in prison in June on two rape charges. Although he is not a member of the Norwegian royal family, he was raised within the royal household.
Høiby had been under house arrest while appealing his case and was granted permission to attend Harald’s burial.
Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre said Astrid will receive a funeral funded by the state. Flags across Norway will also be flown at half-mast in recognition of the princess.
The arrangements reflect Astrid’s long-standing public role and her place in the history of Norway’s modern royal family.
