Two days after Harald V's funeral, his sister died. Princess Astrid was 94
On Wednesday, 9 September, she attended the funeral of her younger brother, King Harald V. On Friday, the Royal Court announced her death. Princess Astrid, who served as Norway's first lady for 14 years, was 94.
Princess Astrid during the farewell to King Harald V at the Slottskapellet, 2 September 2026. Photo: Øivind Möller Bakken / The Royal Court
Det kongelige hoff / kongehuset.no
In brief
<ul>
<li>Princess Astrid died on 11 September at the age of 94.<\/li>
<li>Two days earlier, she attended the funeral of her brother, King Harald V.<\/li>
<li>She served as Norway's first lady for 14 years.<\/li>
<li>The government will fund her funeral after consultations with the family.<\/li>
<\/ul>
The princess's presence at the funeral was confirmed in a tribute by Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre. He recalled meeting her during the ceremony at Oslo Cathedral and the Royal Chapel.
Harald V died on 28 August, and Astrid on 11 September. Thus, two weeks passed between the siblings' deaths.
First lady at the age of 22
In 1954, Astrid's mother, Crown Princess Märtha, died. Her 22-year-old daughter then took over the duties of the country's first lady. She accompanied her father, Olav V, on trips, took part in ceremonies and acted as hostess at official receptions.
She was first lady until 1968, when Harald married Sonja. After handing over the role to her, Astrid continued to represent the court and support social organisations. She also chaired her mother's memorial fund, which financed social and humanitarian initiatives.
Family recalls her support and sense of humour
King Haakon VIII, the princess's nephew, stressed her devotion to the family and her commitment to <span class="highlight id_14830">helping<\/span> people in difficult circumstances.
“Aunt Astrid was an important support to King Harald and to us, the other members of the family. We learned a great deal from her,” the monarch said.
The court also recalled her sense of humour and exceptional memory. She was eager to share memories from her childhood, including the war years. Not only her loved ones, but also historians and book authors, benefited from them.
Daughter of Olav V, mother of five children
Astrid Maud Ingeborg was born on 12 February 1932 as the daughter of the future King Olav V and Crown Princess Märtha. She grew up with her older sister Ragnhild and younger brother Harald.
After the German invasion of Norway in 1940, she fled to Sweden with her mother and siblings, and then to the United States. The family returned to the country in June 1945.
In 1961, she married Johan Martin Ferner. They had five children. Her husband died in 2015.
State-funded funeral
The government announced that, after consultations with the family, the princess's funeral would be funded by the state. Condolences can be offered through an electronic book made available on the Royal Court's website.
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