Princess Astrid, 94, died two days after the funeral of her brother, King Harald. Her funeral will be held at Ris Church in Oslo on Wednesday, September 23 at 1:00 p.m. The state is reported to be covering the costs, and the service will be attended by senior royals including King Haakon, Queen Mette-Marit, Crown Princess Ingrid and Queen Sonja. King Haakon issued a personal tribute and ordered flags at the Royal Palace lowered to half-staff.
Princess Astrid’s Funeral Set for Sept. 23 at Ris Church — Royals to Attend, State to Cover Costs
Princess Astrid of Norway owns one of the most solemn pieces of the dynasty (Antony Jones)
Princess Astrid of Norway, who died aged 94 just two days after the funeral of her brother King Harald, will be farewelled in a public service on Wednesday, September 23 at 1:00 p.m. at Ris Church in Oslo. The Royal Palace confirmed the date and time as the nation prepares for a second closely spaced royal funeral.
Princess Astrid with Queen Sonja last February (@ Royal House of Norway)
The choice of Ris Church is personal: it sits near Vinderen, the neighborhood where Astrid spent decades with her husband, businessman Johan Martin Ferner, raising their five children. The service will be broadcast live on Norwegian television so the public may join in paying their respects.
Princess Astrid during the funeral ceremony of King Harald V in Oslo Cathedral (@ NTB)
Who Will Attend
The Royal Palace says King Haakon, Queen Mette-Marit, Crown Princess Ingrid and Queen Sonja will attend, together with Princess Astrid’s children and other family members. Reports indicate that Prince Sverre Magnus — the king’s son, who is not a formal member of the Royal House — may also be present.
King Haakon remembered his aunt as a warm, dutiful and loyal member of the royal family. (@ Chris Jackson)
Who Will Pay
Norwegian media, including VG, report that the state will cover the funeral expenses. Although Princess Astrid did not hold an official role as a working royal for many years, her public service began early: in 1954, at age 22, she stepped in as her father King Olav V’s first lady after the death of Crown Princess Märtha.
King Haakon shared a tribute for Princess Astrid (@ NTB/AFP via Getty Images)
Tribute From The King
“Throughout her long life, Princess Astrid represented the royal house with warmth and dedication. At 22, she had to step into the role of first lady following the death of my grandmother, Crown Princess Märtha. In her work, Princess Astrid always showed a particular interest in caring for and including the most vulnerable in society. She was deeply loyal, and always carried out her duties with commitment, presence, and an infectious spirit. Aunt Astrid was an important source of support for King Harald and the rest of our family. We learned a great deal from her, and she was never afraid to speak her mind. Her passing is a great loss for us. We will miss her greatly. My family and I send our most heartfelt condolences to Aunt Astrid's closest friends.”
Following the announcement of her death, King Haakon ordered flags above the Royal Palace balcony lowered to half-staff. The coming funeral will be a private family mourning accompanied by a public opportunity to pay respects to a royal who quietly shaped decades of Norwegian public life.
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