Princess Astrid of Norway has died at the age of 94, just days after attending the funeral of her brother, King Harald. The Norwegian royal family announced her death, confirming she passed away peacefully.
King Haakon VIII pays tribute to 'deeply loyal' princess
The country's new King Haakon VIII paid tribute to the "deeply loyal" princess who represented the Royal House in a "warm and dutiful manner". Her brother Harald died last month aged 89 after more than 35 years on the throne. His funeral on Wednesday marked her final public appearance.
Crowds lined the streets of Oslo earlier this week to say goodbye to the monarch as many, including King Charles, paid their respects. Princess Astrid was pictured in a wheelchair at the service but it was confirmed that she had died "peacefully" earlier today.
Statement from the King
A statement from the King read: "Throughout her long life, Princess Astrid represented the Royal House in a warm and dutiful manner. At just 22 she had to step into the role of First Lady after the death of my grandmother, Crown Princess Märtha. In her work, Princess Astrid was always particularly committed to caring for and including the most vulnerable in society.
"She was deeply loyal and always carried out her duties with dedication, presence and an infectious sense of humour. Aunt Astrid was an important source of support for King Harald and for the rest of us in the family.
"We learned a great deal from her, and she was never afraid to speak her mind. Her passing is a great loss to us. We will miss her. My family and I send our warmest thoughts to Aunt Astrid’s closest family and loved ones."
Her immediate family added: "In our grief, we stand together in gratitude. Thank you for all the wonderful memories. You will forever hold a special place in our hearts."
King Harald's death and tributes
Harald died in hospital after being treated for a rare blood condition. The King was Europe’s oldest reigning monarch, having ascended to the Norwegian throne in 1991. His death was announced on Friday August 28, one day after the Royal Family issued an urgent statement saying his condition was ‘extremely serious’.
In a statement released by Buckingham Palace, King Charles, who is Harald's second cousin once removed, paid tribute to him and said: “It is with the most profound sadness that my wife and I have learned of the death of my dear cousin, King Harald V of Norway. For 35 years, King Harald served his people with unwavering dedication, guiding Norway through times of great change with warmth and humility.
“As Norway mourns the loss of so towering a figure, my whole family join in remembering a much-loved kinsman and friend whose kindness, compassion and deep sense of duty echoed from across the sea and across the decades. The United Kingdom and Norway share particularly close historical and family ties, with Britain one of the first countries to recognise Norwegian independence and establish diplomatic relations in 1905.
"These special bonds were even further strengthened during the dreadful trials of the Second World War and helped to bind our two countries together.
“The Queen and I extend our deepest and most heartfelt condolences to Queen Sonja and all her family, as Britain shares in Norway’s grief at this time of such heartbreaking loss.”
