Norway's Royal Palace announced that Princess Astrid, the elder sister of the late King Harald V, died on Friday, September 11, 2026, at the age of 94. Her death occurred at a state residence outside Oslo, two days after she attended her brother's funeral in a wheelchair.
Princess Astrid was the last surviving child of King Olav V, who reigned from 1957 to 1991. Following the death of her mother, Crown Princess Märtha, in 1954, Astrid assumed the role of Norway's first lady at age 22. She maintained this position for 14 years until her brother, King Harald, married in 1968.
In a statement, the new monarch, King Haakon VIII, said his aunt represented the Royal House in a "warm and dutiful manner" and was "particularly concerned with care and inclusion for the most vulnerable in society." Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre announced that the princess will be buried at state expense and flags will be flown at half-mast across the country.
The princess's health had declined in recent months, including a period of hospitalization for pneumonia in March. Her final public appearance was on Wednesday, September 9, 2026, at King Harald's funeral, which was attended by dozens of European royals and world leaders, including Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and the Prince of Wales.
The death of Princess Astrid follows the death of King Harald V last month at age 89. For the citizens of Norway, this second royal death in less than three weeks concludes an era of the monarchy defined by the children of King Olav V. National mourning will be observed, signaled by flags at half-mast and an upcoming funeral at state expense.
The transition to King Haakon VIII's reign occurs as the royal house manages several personal matters. This includes the recent four-year prison sentence given to Marius Borg Høiby, the son of Crown Princess Mette-Marit, for two counts of rape. Additionally, the royal family has addressed public scrutiny regarding Crown Princess Mette-Marit’s past contact with Jeffrey Epstein.
The death of Princess Astrid also removes a figure who served as the nation's first lady during a 14-year period. Her decades of service established a precedent for royal involvement in social welfare that King Haakon VIII indicated would continue to be a focus. The government will now coordinate the logistics for the funeral. Details regarding the burial date and specific arrangements are not yet reported.