Norway's Princess Astrid Dies at Age 89
Princess Astrid of Norway has passed away at 89, just two days after attending the state funeral of her brother, King Harald.
Stock photo for illustration only, not from the actual event
- Princess Astrid has died at the age of 89, two days after attending King Harald's funeral.
- She was the last surviving child of King Olav V.
- The Norwegian government will cover her state funeral expenses, with flags flown at half-mast.
- She previously served as Norway's first lady for 14 years.
Princess Astrid of Norway has passed away at the age of 89, coming only two days after she attended the funeral services for her brother, King Harald. The late king died last month at 89 following a reign of more than 35 years, with his funeral marking the princess's final public appearance.
King Haakon, her nephew and the new monarch, released a statement praising her lifelong dedication, noting that throughout her long years, Princess Astrid represented the royal house with warmth and a strong sense of duty. He also highlighted her continuous focus on caring for and including society's most vulnerable individuals.
Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre announced that the princess will be given a state-funded funeral while flags across Norway will fly at half-mast. Princess Astrid was the last surviving child of King Olav V, who sat on the throne from 1957 until 1991.
In 1954, at just 22 years old, she became Norway's first lady following the death of her mother, Crown Princess Märtha. Because King Olav did not remarry, Astrid kept the title until her brother's marriage in 1968.
"Throughout her long life, Princess Astrid represented the Royal House in a warm and dutiful manner."
King Haakon
Her health had declined over recent months, including a hospital stay for pneumonia in March. Despite this, she attended her brother's funeral on Wednesday in a wheelchair, joining dozens of European royals and international heads of state at Oslo Cathedral.
Princess Astrid's passing comes during a particularly turbulent period for the Norwegian royal family, which has faced multiple scandals and public scrutiny in recent months. Issues involving royal associates and family legal troubles have added pressure to the institution as it navigates this transition of an older generation of royals.
Source: BBC World
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