The Norwegian royal family is going through an incredibly difficult period: just two weeks after the death of King Harald V, his sister — the 94-year-old Princess Astrid — has also passed away. As announced by the Norwegian Royal Court, the Princess died on 11 September 2026. Her death marks the second loss within a month among the highest circles of the monarchy and brings to a close a string of tragic events that began on 28 August, when King Harald V died at the age of 89.

Circumstances of death and last public appearance

Princess Astrid attended her brother's funeral on 9 September — this became her last public appearance. Just two days later, on 11 September, she passed away. Thus, exactly two weeks elapsed between the king's death and the death of his sister, while only two days passed between the funeral and her passing. Following the monarch's death, the throne passed to his son Haakon VIII, who on 1 September took the oath of allegiance to the Constitution in parliament, officially becoming the new King of Norway.

Contradictory data

In publications by different outlets, the event is presented with two different time references, which may give the reader a false impression of conflicting versions. Some sources emphasise that the Princess died "two weeks after the king's death", while others stress the phrasing "two days after her brother's funeral". In fact, the two versions do not contradict each other: they count the period from different events — from the monarch's death (28 August) and from the date of his funeral (9 September). The difference is purely editorial in nature and does not indicate an error in the dates.

Biography and role in the royal family

Astrid was born in 1932 in Oslo. Her youth and early adulthood fell during the period of the Second World War: together with her family she left occupied Norway, first spending time in Sweden and then in the United States. After her mother's death in 1954, the Princess served as the de facto first lady of Norway for a number of years, representing the royal family at official events. In 1961 she married the businessman Johan Martin Ferner and became the mother of five children, while maintaining her connection with the royal house.

Legacy and succession

The death of Princess Astrid closes an entire era in the history of the Norwegian monarchy: she was one of the last living sisters of King Harald V and a symbol of a generation that went through war and emigration. Now the head of state is King Haakon VIII, who ascended the throne in September 2026. For the royal family and for the country as a whole, the loss of two senior members of the family within a matter of weeks becomes a cause for national mourning and a reassessment of the public duties of the remaining members of the dynasty.