Norwegian Royals Mourn Princess Astrid Following Brother's Death

Princess Astrid, sister of the late King Harald V, was laid to rest in Oslo, Norway, on Wednesday, September 23, just two weeks after the passing of her brother. The funeral service was attended by members of the Norwegian Royal Family, including King Haakon, Queen Mette-Marit, and their daughter, Crown Princess Ingrid Alexandra, the heir to the throne.

Princess Astrid died on September 11 at the age of 94. Her last public appearance was at her brother King Harald's funeral service on September 9, just two days before her own death. She was the last surviving child of King Olav V, who reigned from 1957 to 1991.

Also present at the funeral were Princess Martha Louise, her husband Durek Verrett, and Martha's three daughters. International royals, including Crown Princess Victoria of Sweden and Prince Lorenz of Belgium, also paid their respects. Buckingham Palace sent a wreath of white roses signed 'Anne' in tribute.

King Harald V died on August 28 at the age of 89, after more than 35 years on the throne. He had been undergoing treatment for haemolytic anaemia. Following his death, his son Haakon ascended to the throne. King Charles III of the United Kingdom, a distant cousin, extended his condolences to the Norwegian Royal Family.

Princess Astrid, who became Norway's first lady at age 22 following her mother's death in 1954, served in a dutiful manner throughout her life, with a particular focus on care for the vulnerable, according to a statement from King Haakon. In recent months, her health had reportedly been declining, and she was hospitalized for pneumonia in March.

The funeral of King Harald saw significant public mourning, with crowds gathering at the palace in Oslo. His death marked the end of a long reign for one of Europe's oldest reigning sovereigns at the time. King Charles III noted the shared family ties and remembered Harald V for his kindness, compassion, and sense of duty.

Questions arose regarding the attendance of Marius Borg Høiby, the 29-year-old stepson of King Haakon, who is appealing rape convictions and serving a prison sentence under house arrest. While he was not listed as in attendance at Princess Astrid's funeral, his presence at King Harald's service had sparked controversy. Høiby was convicted on two counts of rape, with additional charges for assaulting a former girlfriend and traffic offenses. He had previously been seen carrying King Harald's coffin while temporarily released from custody, a move that drew backlash. While not a working royal, Høiby has maintained a close association with the Norwegian royal family since his mother married Crown Prince Haakon in 2001.