Norway Mourns Princess Astrid’s Passing at 94, Just Weeks After King Harald V’s Death

Passing of Princess Astrid and King Harald V

According to Рубрика — Суспільство: Princess Astrid of Norway passed away on September 11 at the age of 94, only two weeks after the death of her brother, King Harald V, who died on August 28 at 89 years old. King Harald V ruled Norway for 35 years, ascending the throne on January 17, 1991, following the death of King Olav.

The funeral for King Harald V took place on September 9 at Oslo Cathedral, attended by numerous royal family members and heads of state, including Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and his wife, Olena.

Prior to her brother’s funeral, Princess Astrid was brought to the cathedral in a wheelchair. She had been hospitalized in May due to heart failure. The king’s funeral procession was broadcast across more than 160 churches throughout Norway. On September 1, Crown Prince Haakon officially swore in as the new King Haakon VIII at the Norwegian Parliament.

A New Chapter for the Norwegian Monarchy

In his inaugural address, King Haakon VIII pledged to faithfully serve the nation alongside Queen Mette-Marit, stating:

“I promise to govern the Kingdom of Norway according to its constitution and laws.”

Queen Mette-Marit was unable to attend the ceremony due to complications following a lung transplant she underwent in June 2026. Diagnosed in 2018 with a rare form of pulmonary fibrosis, she has faced ongoing health challenges that required hospitalization. Queen Sonja was also hospitalized in May due to heart issues, the same period when Princess Astrid was admitted.

Norway is in deep mourning following the loss of two influential members of its royal family, both of whom played significant roles in the country's modern history.

The deaths of Princess Astrid and King Harald V mark the close of an era for the Norwegian monarchy. Their legacies have shaped the nation for decades, and now the responsibility falls on King Haakon VIII and Queen Mette-Marit to guide Norway into a new era. This transition highlights the importance of maintaining stability and tradition amid change, while also foreshadowing potential challenges the new royal couple may face in leading the country forward.