Princess Astrid death details
Princess Astrid of Norway has died at the age of 94. She passed away two days after attending the funeral of her brother, the late King Harald V. The royal palace officially confirmed the death. Her health had deteriorated in recent months and she received hospital treatment for pneumonia in March.
Family mourning statements
New King Haakon VIII spoke about her life. He said that throughout her long life, Princess Astrid represented the Royal House in a warm and dutiful manner. [TO VERIFY: official palace statement wording] King Haakon also noted that in her work, Princess Astrid was always particularly concerned with care and inclusion for the most vulnerable in society.
Astrid life and role
Astrid was the last surviving child of King Olav V, who reigned from 1957 to 1991. She became Norway's first lady at the age of 22 in 1954 after the death of her mother Crown Princess Märtha. Olav did not remarry and Astrid retained the title until her brother's marriage in 1968. She was always particularly concerned with care and inclusion for the most vulnerable in society.
State funeral arrangements
Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre announced that the princess will be buried at state expense and flags will be flown at half-mast across Norway. Her last public engagement was attending her brother's funeral. Harald died last month aged 89 after more than 35 years as king.
Recent health issues and family challenges
Her health had deteriorated in recent months. In March she received hospital treatment for pneumonia. In the final months of Harald's life, Norway's royal family faced personal challenges and scandal. Documents revealed that King Haakon's wife Queen Mette-Marit had had frequent contact with US sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. She later said she wished she had never met the late disgraced financier. Meanwhile her son from a previous relationship Marius Borg Høiby, who is not a royal but grew up within the family, was given a four-year jail term for two counts of rape in June. Høiby, who is under house arrest pending appeal, was granted permission to attend the funeral. Dozens of European royals and heads of state attended Harald's funeral, including the Prince of Wales and three Nordic kings. Thousands lined the route during the procession from the royal palace to Oslo Cathedral. Non-royal leaders included Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier and five foreign prime ministers.
Frequently asked questions
Princess Astrid died at what age?
She died at the age of 94.
What was her last public event?
Attending her brother King Harald's funeral was her last public event.
