Princess Astrid of Norway died on Friday at the age of 94, the royal palace announced. Her death follows that of her brother, King Harald, who passed away last month at 89 after more than 35 years on the throne.
Princess Astrid's last public appearance was at her brother's funeral service on Wednesday. King Haakon VIII, in a statement released by the palace, said, "Throughout her long life, Princess Astrid represented the Royal House in a warm and dutiful manner."
King Harald V died on August 28, with his memorial service held on September 9. He had been undergoing treatment for hemolytic anemia, a condition causing the rapid destruction of red blood cells. Following his death, the palace had stated his health had deteriorated after contracting an infection. King Harald died at Oslo University Hospital, Rikshospitalet, at 6:35 a.m. on August 28.
As Europe's second-longest reigning monarch after Queen Elizabeth II, King Harald had ruled Norway for over three decades. His successor is his son, Haakon VIII, who addressed the nation for the first time following his father's passing.
King Charles III of the United Kingdom extended his condolences to the Norwegian Royal Family, referring to King Harald as his "dear cousin." The two monarchs were second cousins once removed, sharing great-great-grandparents Edward VII and Alexandra of Denmark. "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," King Charles III stated. He added that he and Queen Camilla extended "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."