Princess Astrid, Mrs. Ferner. Photo: Ola Vatn, The Royal Court.
The Norwegian Royal Court has announced that Princess Astrid, Mrs. Ferner died today, 11 September 2026, 94 years old. The news of her death came only 2 days after the funeral service for her brother King Harald, and 14 days after his death.
Princess Astrid has passed away
His Majesty The King was deeply saddened to receive the news that Princess Astrid has passed away. The Princess died peacefully today, Friday 11 September, at the age of 94.
The king has decided that a flag will be flown at half staff from the Palace balcony today and on the day of the funeral.
Princess Astrid's children has issued the following statement:
Dear Mum, dear Princess Astrid,
Thank you for being the best mum we could ever have wished for. Throughout our lives, you were always there for us – with love and wisdom, warmth and a wonderful sense of humour. You were there for grandfather King Olav and uncle King Harald – always present, loyal and dutiful. And for those who needed a little extra care, you always showed genuine compassion.
In our grief, we stand together in gratitude.
Thank you for all the wonderful memories. You will forever hold a special place in our hearts.
Your children – Cathrine, Benedikte, Alexander, Elisabeth and Carl-Christian Ferner – and their families.
Statement from King Haakon VIII:
Throughout her long life, Princess Astrid represented the Royal House in a warm and dutiful manner. Att [sic!] just 22 she had to step into the role of First Lady after the death of my grandmother, Crown Princess Märtha. In her work, Princess Astrid was always particularly committed to caring for and including the most vulnerable in society. She was deeply loyal and always carried out her duties with dedication, presence and an infectious sense of humour.
Aunt Astrid was an important source of support for King Harald and for the rest of us in the family. We learned a great deal from her, and she was never afraid to speak her mind. Her passing is a great loss to us. We will miss her. My family and I send our warmest thoughts to Aunt Astrid’s closest family and loved ones.
Princess Astrid Maud Ingeborg was born at Villa Solbakken in Aker municipality* on 12 February 1932 at 4.36 a.m. as the second child of the then Crown Prince Olav and Crown Princess Märtha, née Princess of Sweden.
*Aker was merged with Oslo in 1948.
Villa Solbakken at Skøyen, Aker, where the Crown Prince family lived while Skaugum was being rebuilt after the fire in 1930. Photo: Henriksen & Steen, 1932. Public domain, The National Library of Norway.
The christening took place in the Palace Chapel on 31 March 1932 and was officiated by Bishop Johan Lunde. The sponsors were her grandparents King Haakon VII, Queen Maud, Prince Carl and Princess Ingeborg of Sweden as well as Crown Princess Astrid of Belgium (the Duchess of Brabant, later Queen Astrid of Belgium), the Duchess of York (later known as Queen Elizabeth and finally Queen Elizabeth, the Queen Mother), Princess Thyra of Denmark, Prince Eugen of Sweden and Prince George of the United Kingdom (later Duke of Kent).
Princess Astrid married at Asker on 12 January 1961 Johan Martin Ferner (1927–2015), the youngest child of Ferner Jacobsen and Ragnhild Olsen. After marriage she lost her style Royal Highness (but Highness could be used abroad) and was to be referred to as Princess Astrid, Mrs. Ferner. The wedding made some controversy because Johan Martin had been married before, but it turned out to be a happy marriage which lasted until the death of Johan Martin in 2015. Princess Astrid left behind her 5 children, 7 grandchildren and 3 great-grandchildren.
After Princess Astrid lost her mother Crown Princess Märtha in 1954 and because her elder sister Ragnhild had moved to Brazil the year before, Astrid had to serve as the country's first lady until her younger brother Harald married Sonja Haraldsen in 1968. But even after this she continued to make public engagements on behalf of the royal house and was thus a great help to her father King Olav V and later her brother King Harald V. Her last public engagement was on 12 May 2026 when she attended the 100th anniversary of Blindern og Vinderen Sanitetsforening (Blindern and Vinderen Women's Public Health Association). Shortly after she was admitted to the National Hospital because of heart failure and had a pacemaker inserted. Her health gradually improved and she was well enough to attend King Harald's funeral service, but it is possible that she used her last energy to be present.
She will long be remembered for her sense of duty and commitment, good humor and warmth.
Information about the funeral service will be given later. Her last resting place is expected to be next to her husband at Ris urnelund (Ris Urn Garden) in Oslo.
Selected statements and obituaries following Princess Astrid, Mrs. Ferner's death (all in Norwegian):
- Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre
- President of the Storting, Masud Gharahkhani
- En prinsesse og fire konger (Trond Norén Isaksen, Aftenposten.no 11 September 2026)
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