OSLO — The Norwegian Royal Palace has announced the passing of Princess Astrid, Mrs. Ferner, at the age of 94. Her death comes in a profound moment of national grief, occurring just two days after she made a poignant final public appearance at the state funeral of her brother, King Harald V.
The Royal House confirmed the news in a brief statement released on Wednesday morning, expressing the family’s “deep sadness” at the loss of a figure who served as a vital link between the country’s wartime history and its modern monarchy. The statement noted that the Princess passed away peacefully surrounded by her family.
Princess Astrid was the second daughter of the late King Olav V and Princess Märtha of Sweden. Born in 1932, she grew up during one of the most turbulent periods in modern Norwegian history. Following the German invasion of Norway in 1940, she fled the country with her mother and siblings, spending the duration of the Second World War in exile in the United States. This period of displacement fostered a lifelong commitment to duty and a deep sense of patriotism that would define her decades of public service.
Following the death of her mother in 1954, Princess Astrid assumed the role of the nation’s “First Lady,” performing ceremonial duties alongside her father until her brother, King Harald, married Queen Sonja in 1968. Though she eventually stepped back from the official front lines of royal life, she remained a steadfast and beloved presence at significant state events and family milestones.
Her final public appearance this past Monday was described by onlookers as a testament to her resilience. Despite her advanced age and the visible toll of her brother’s recent passing, the Princess insisted on attending the funeral at Oslo Cathedral, where she was seen surrounded by surviving family members. The suddenness of her death following the emotional demands of the funeral has sent shockwaves through the country, with many Norwegians viewing her passing as the final closing of a significant chapter in the House of Glücksburg.
Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre led the tributes, praising Princess Astrid as a woman of “warmth and duty” who stood by her family through both the joys and the trials of the monarchy. “Princess Astrid carried her heritage with great grace,” the Prime Minister said in a statement. “She was a central part of our royal history, and her passing marks the end of an era.”
Flags across Norway were lowered to half-mast on Wednesday as the nation entered a period of mourning. The Royal Palace indicated that arrangements for the funeral service would be announced in the coming days, as the family prepares to bid a final farewell to the woman who served as the matriarch of the Norwegian royal line.
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