Princess Astrid of Norway, the older sister of the late King Harald, has died at the age of 94, two days after attending her brother’s funeral in Oslo.
The Norwegian Royal Palace announced her death on Friday. Her final public appearance came during the ceremony for Harald, who died aged 89 after more than 35 years on the throne.
King Haakon described Astrid as an important source of support for Harald and the wider royal family. He said she represented the Royal House with loyalty and dedication while maintaining what he called an infectious sense of humor.
Astrid assumed a prominent public role when she was 22 following the death of her mother, Crown Princess Märtha, in 1954. Her father, King Olav V, did not remarry, leaving Astrid to serve as Norway’s first lady for 14 years.
During that period, she represented the royal family at official events, including a 1960 state visit by Denmark’s royal family. She retained the first lady role until Harald married in 1968.
The palace said Astrid had focused particularly on care and inclusion for vulnerable people throughout her public service. Her health had declined in recent months, and she received hospital treatment for pneumonia in March.
Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre said Astrid would be buried at state expense. The Norwegian flag was also ordered to be flown at half-mast from the Royal Palace on Friday and on the day of her funeral.
Astrid was the last surviving child of King Olav V, who ruled Norway from 1957 until 1991. Her death therefore marks the passing of the final member of that immediate generation of the Norwegian royal family.
Her brother Harald’s funeral had drawn European royals, Nordic monarchs and several international leaders to Oslo, with large crowds lining the procession route.
Sources: Norwegian Royal Palace, BBC, EPA
