Princess Astrid of Norway, the sister of the recently deceased King Harald V, died at the age of 94, according to an announcement from the country’s royal palace. Her death occurred two days following her attendance at King Harald’s funeral. The new reigning monarch, King Haakon VIII, released a statement characterizing the princess as having “represented the Royal House in a warm and dutiful manner” during her extended lifetime.
King Harald passed away last month at the age of 89, having served as monarch for more than 35 years. The funeral, which took place on Wednesday, drew numerous dignitaries including the Prince of Wales and representatives from multiple Nordic nations. International leaders attending the ceremony included Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier, and five foreign prime ministers. A significant public observance accompanied the event, with thousands of citizens lining the route of a procession that traveled from the royal palace to Oslo Cathedral.
Princess Astrid held historical significance within the Norwegian royal lineage, being the last surviving child of King Olav V, who reigned from 1957 to 1991. She assumed responsibilities as Norway’s first lady in 1954 at age 22 following the death of her mother, Crown Princess Märtha. Her father did not remarry, and she retained this position until 1968, when her brother married. According to King Haakon’s statement, Princess Astrid’s work “was always particularly concerned with care and inclusion for the most vulnerable in society.”
Princess Astrid’s health had experienced decline in recent months, including a hospitalization for pneumonia treatment in March. The state will bear the expenses of her burial, and flags throughout Norway have been ordered to half-mast as a mark of respect, Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre announced.
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