The funeral of Princess Astrid of Norway celebrated in Oslo

The funeral of Princess Astrid of Norway took place today, September 23. The celebration was organized at the packed Ris Church in Oslo. The princess was the elder sister of the late King Harald: she died on 11 September at the age of 94.

Pastor Paul Erik Wirgenes officiated the mass. Astrid's brother Harald died last month at the age of 89 after more than 35 years of reign. The princess had made her last public appearance at her brother's state funeral.

The princess's death was confirmed through a press release. "Throughout her long life, Princess Astrid represented the Royal House with warmth and a sense of duty," declared the current king, Haakon VIII, confirming her death.

King Haakon VIII of Norway, together with Queen Mette-Marit, attended the funeral of Princess Astrid who, as mentioned, had died two days after attending her brother's funeral. It has been confirmed that she will be buried alongside her family at Akershus Fortress.

On September 9th, the last farewell to the oldest sovereign in Europe, King Harald V, who died last August 28th, was celebrated. The ceremony took place in the cathedral of the Norwegian capital, in the presence of various royal families and heads of state and government, such as the Ukrainian president Zelensky and the German president Steinmeier.

Along with the current king, Haakon VIII, Crown Princess Ingrid Alexandra also attended the funeral. King Harald's successor is his son, 53 years old, who has now become the youngest sovereign in Europe.

The current Norwegian sovereign had mourned his father's death only a few days ago. King Harald V was the oldest ruler in all of Europe. Death came due to a blood disease which, due to an infection, rapidly worsened.

Dressed entirely in black, with a large hat on her head, Queen Consort Mette-Marit also attended the funeral of Princess Astrid.

The funeral ceremony of King Harald V, however, represented the first state funeral for a sovereign in Norway since the death of Harald's father, King Olav V, in 1991: 35 years had passed. Then, a few days later, the country rallied around the royal family again.

The Norwegian Finance Minister, Jens Stoltenberg, also attended the funeral. He had also been Secretary General of NATO (2014–2024).