Norway’s Princess Astrid has died at age 94, just two days after making her final public appearance at the funeral of her younger brother, King Harald V.
The Norwegian Royal Palace announced Friday that Astrid died Sept. 11, marking a second major loss for the royal family only two weeks after Harald’s death.
The palace said King Haakon VIII ordered Norway’s flag to be flown at half-staff from the Royal Palace balcony Friday and again on the day of Astrid’s funeral.
The Royal House said Astrid died Friday at 94, while her family remembered her for her love, wisdom, warmth and humor.
King Haakon paid tribute to his aunt, describing her as an important source of support for the late King Harald and other members of the family.
“Aunt Astrid was an important source of support for King Harald and the rest of our family,” Haakon said. “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,” he added.
Astrid’s death comes during an already emotional period for Norway following the death of King Harald on Aug. 28 at age 89.
Harald had reigned for more than 35 years before his death, with his son succeeding him as King Haakon VIII.
Thousands gathered in Oslo on Wednesday for Harald’s state funeral, where members of European royal families, political leaders and other dignitaries joined the Norwegian royal family in paying their respects.
Astrid attended the service at Oslo Cathedral, which became her final public appearance.
She was photographed leaving the funeral after joining her family as crowds lined Oslo’s streets to say goodbye to her brother.
Two days later, her own death was announced.
Astrid had spent decades representing Norway’s monarchy and assumed unusually significant responsibilities while still a young woman.
Following the death of her mother, Crown Princess Märtha, in 1954, Astrid stepped into the role of Norway’s leading female royal representative at just 22 years old.
She effectively served as Norway’s First Lady for 14 years, from 1954 until then-Crown Princess Sonja assumed the role in 1968.
During those years, Astrid accompanied King Haakon VII and later King Olav V on official trips and state visits while representing the Royal House at events across Norway and abroad.
She continued carrying out official duties well into later life and remained a prominent supporter of King Harald throughout his reign.
Haakon said Astrid devoted particular attention to vulnerable people and those who could easily be overlooked, praising her loyalty, dedication and “infectious sense of humour.”
Astrid was born Feb. 12, 1932. She married Johan Martin Ferner in 1961, and the couple had five children — Cathrine, Benedikte, Alexander, Elisabeth and Carl-Christian. Ferner died in 2015, according to Trending Politics.
Her children issued their own tribute following her death, thanking their mother for being there throughout their lives with “love and wisdom, warmth and good humor.”
Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre also paid tribute, thanking Astrid for her decades of service to the country and describing her as a dedicated representative of the Royal House.
The Norwegian government said Astrid’s funeral will be paid for by the state. A date for the service had not immediately been announced.
Her death brings another period of mourning for Norway’s royal family just days after it gathered to bury King Harald, closing another chapter for a generation that represented the monarchy for decades.
