Princess Astrid sadly passed away only two days after her younger brother, King Harald of Norway, was laid to rest in a state funeral.
Her death, aged 94 on 11 September, has plunged the country back into a mourning period after King Harald passed less than a month ago on August 28. Princess Astrid’s nephew, Norway’s new King Haakon VII, shared a message to honour her life.
“Throughout her long life, Princess Astrid represented the royal house in a warm and dutiful manner,” the 53-year-old shared. “In her work, Princess Astrid was always particularly concerned with care and inclusion for the most vulnerable in society. She was very loyal and always carried out her duties with commitment, presence and an infectious spirit.
“Aunt Astrid was an important support for King Harald and the rest of us in the family.
“We learned a lot from her, and she was not afraid to speak up. Her passing is a great loss for us. We will miss her,” King Haakon concluded.
Less than two weeks following her passing, the Norwegian royal family gathered in Oslo for a final farewell. She will has been laid to rest with her family at Arkershus Fortress.
In attendance was Queen Sonja, Princess Ingrid Alexandra, King Haakon and Queen Mette-Maria, joined by other European royals such as Crown Princess Victoria of Sweden and Belgium’s Princess Astrid. Princess Astrid’s five children, Catherine, Benedikte, Alexander, Elisabeth, and Carl-Christain, whom she shares with Johan Martin Ferner, also gathered for the sombre occasion.
“Dear mother, dear Princess Astrid,” they wrote in a statement after her death. “Thank you for being the best mother we could have. Throughout your life you were there for us – with love and wisdom, warmth and good humor.
“You were there for grandfather King Olav and uncle King Harald – present, loyal and dutiful. And in addition – for those who needed a little extra care – you always showed genuine care. In our grief, we stand together in gratitude. Thank you for all the good memories. You will always have a big place in our hearts.”
It’s believed Princess Astrid passed away in her sleep, of natural causes. The initial statement from the Royal House reads, “His Majesty the King has received with great sadness the news of the passing of Princess Astrid. The Princess fell asleep today, Friday 11 September, at the age of 94.”
Her health deteriorated in recent months. In March 2026, Princess Astrid was admitted to hospital for pneumonia.
Sadly, her final public outing was her younger brother’s funeral. Sweden’s King Carl XVI Gustaf revealed he and his wife, Queen Silvia, spoke with Astrid at the service.
“The Queen and I have received with sadness the news that Princess Astrid, Mrs Ferner, has passed away,” he said in a statement, per Town & Country. “A few days ago we had the opportunity to meet and speak with Princess Astrid in connection with King Harald’s funeral—a meeting we valued greatly.
“We remember Princess Astrid with warmth and extend our condolences to the Princess’s children and their families, as well as to the entire Norwegian Royal Family in their difficult situation.”
Princess Astrid was of significant standing in the Norwegian royal family, and not just because of her title bestowed upon her as the King’s daughter. But she was Norway’s first lady at only 22 in 1952, after the death of her mother, Crown Princess Märtha. Her father, King Olav V, never remarried, and she retained the title until King Harald’s marriage in 1968.
