Norway: Princess Astrid Mrs. Ferner – time and place of death

In the press release informing about the death of Princess Astrid, Mrs. Ferner last Friday, 11 September 2026, the Norwegian Royal Court didn't mention exactly when and where she had passed away.

For most people such details are not that important, but for historians and genealogists the time and place of death is valuable biographical and genealogical information.

According to Aftenposten's online version yesterday (13 September 2026 at 09:51), which was picked up by the Danish newspaper B.T. later the same day, the communications director at the Royal Court, Guri Varpe, had told the newspaper that Princess Astrid died at Rikshospitalet at 12:35 (i.e. 35 minutes past noon) on Friday. The press statement dated 11 September 2026 was released at 14:48. 

For the record, Rikshospitalet (The National Hospital) at Gaustad in Oslo merged with Ullevål universitetssykehus (Ullevål University Hospital) and Aker universitetssykehus (Aker University Hospital) under the name Oslo universitetssykehus (Oslo University Hospital) from 1 January 2009. I would say it is up to one and each genealogist whether he or she should write "Oslo universitetssykehus, avd. Rikshospitalet" (Oslo University Hospital, dep. The National Hospital" or just the shorter version, "Rikshospitalet" (The National Hospital).

King Harald is doing well after operation

Last Thursday the Royal Palace explained the reason for King Harald of Norway's problems with heavy breathing, which lead to a stay at Rikshospitalet (The National Hospital, which is a division of Oslo University Hospital) from Friday 25 September to Monday 28 September. The press statement said:

His Majesty The King to undergo surgery to replace a heart valve

His Majesty The King is being admitted to Oslo University Hospital, Rikshospitalet, to undergo surgery to replace a heart valve. The surgery is scheduled to take place on Friday, 9 October. 

In 2005, the King underwent open heart valve surgery. At that time, the aortic valve was replaced with an artificial biological heart valve. Artificial biological heart valves have a lifespan of 10 to 15 years, and therefore it is not uncommon that the intervention must be repeated after some time.

The intervention this time will not be open heart surgery. The King will be awake and the procedure will be carried out under local anaesthesia via the groin.

The procedure will be carried out by the medical team led by the King’s physician, Bjørn Bendz, Head of the Cardiac Intensive Care Unit at Oslo University Hospital, Rikshospitalet. 

“His Majesty The King has had regular check-ups, and the tests we have been carrying out indicate that this procedure is necessary to improve the King’s breathing. This type of procedure is performed hundreds of times each year at Oslo University Hospital, Rikshospitalet, and the Norwegian surgeons are extremely experienced,” says the King’s physician, Bjørn Bendz.

Crown Prince Haakon will continue to serve as Regent during the king's extgended sick leave.

After the operation on Friday 9 October, the Royal Palace issued the following statement:

His Majesty The King’s surgery was successful 

His Majesty The King underwent a heart valve replacement at Oslo University Hospital, Rikshospitalet, today. The operation was a success and the King is in good condition.

The King was awake during the procedure, which was carried out under local anaesthesia via the groin.

The medical team involved was led by the King’s physician, Bjørn Bendz, and included section heads Lars Aaberge and Christian Eek of the Department of Cardiology at Oslo University Hospital, Rikshospitalet.

Background

In 2005, His Majesty The King underwent heart valve surgery. At that time, the aortic valve was replaced with an artificial biological heart valve. Artificial biological heart valves have a lifespan of 10 to 15 years, and therefore it is not uncommon that the intervention must be repeated after some time.

Recent tests carried out on the King indicated that it was necessary to replace the artificial biological heart valve from 2005 with a new one to improve the King’s breathing.

The Royal Palace promised that updates on the King’s condition would be provided regularly. The king is expected to resume his duties in November.

On Saturday 10 October the Royal Palace reported that the king's condition was good and that he already had made a short walk.