Princess Astrid of Norway has Died

The Norwegian Royal Court has announced the death of Princess Astrid of Norway, who passed away in her sleep on September 11th, at the age of 94, two days after the funeral of her brother, King Harald V! The First Lady of Norway for her grandfather and father from 1954 to 1968, the late Princess Astrid had been a working member of the Norwegian Royal Family for over 75 years!

His Majesty the King has received with great sadness the news of the passing of Princess Astrid. The Princess passed away today, Friday 11 September, at the age of 94.

His Majesty the King has decided that flags will be flown at half-mast from the Palace Balcony today and on the day of the funeral.

Princess Astrid’s immediate family states:

Dear mother, dear Princess Astrid
Thank you for being the best mother we could have. Throughout your life you were there for us – with love and wisdom, warmth and good humor. You were there for grandfather King Olav and uncle King Harald – present, loyal and dutiful. And in addition – for those who needed a little extra care – you always showed genuine care. In our
grief, we stand together in gratitude.
Thank you for all the good memories. You will always have a big place in our hearts.

Your children – Cathrine, Benedikte, Alexander, Elisabeth and Carl-Christian Ferner with families.

King Haakon VIII states:

Throughout her long life, Princess Astrid represented the Royal House in a warm and dutiful manner. At the age of 22, she had to step into the role of First Lady when my grandmother, Crown Princess Märtha, passed away. In her work, Princess Astrid was always particularly concerned with care and inclusion for the most vulnerable in society. She was very loyal and always carried out her duties with commitment, presence and an infectious spirit.

Aunt Astrid was an important support for King Harald and the rest of us in the family. We learned a lot from her and she was not afraid to speak up. Her passing is a great loss for us. We will miss her. My family and I send warm thoughts to Aunt Astrid’s closest friends.

Born in 1932 to then Crown Prince Olav of Norway and Princess Martha of Sweden, Princess Astrid was named after her maternal aunt, and godmother, Queen Astrid of Belgium. Another godmother was the then Duchess of York (later the Queen Mother). Being raised alongside Princess Ragnhild and Prince Harald at Skaugum.

In 1934, the Crown Prince family was able to move back to Skaugum, and here Princess Astrid grew up in rural surroundings with her older sister, Princess Ragnhild, and Prince Harald.

Princess Astrid was nine years old when Germany invaded Norway on 9 April 1940. The royal family and government fled north by train to avoid being taken into custody by the occupying forces. That same night, Crown Princess Märtha and the children crossed the border into Sweden, and on 12 August they travelled on to the United States at the invitation of President Franklin D. Roosevelt.

For the next five years, Princess Astrid lived with her mother and siblings on Pook’s Hill outside Washington, D.C. Crown Princess Märtha worked tirelessly for Norwegian interests, and the children contributed in their own way.

On June 7, 1945, the family was finally able to return to Norway. Thousands of people were waiting at Honnørbrygga in Oslo to welcome them home. Princess Astrid remembers the return.

The weather was bad – so we couldn’t see land, but I remember well the small boats that met us at the far end of the Oslofjord. It was our first encounter with “Norway”. All the boats were decorated with leaves and Norwegian flags. As we sailed into the fjord towards Oslo, more and more boats appeared. In the end, there were so many boats that we could almost walk ashore dry-shod.

Grandfather was anxious and wondered what his return would be like. How would people welcome him? His refusal to the Germans had led to the loss of many Norwegians’ lives during the war. He was deeply moved by the warm welcome from all the people.

Princess Astrid remembers well the enormous cheers the Royal Family was greeted with when they disembarked at Honnørbryggen in Oslo. – It was overwhelming.

When we drove up to the Palace, it made a strong impression to see all the court employees who had been there when we left, standing in the open windows of the Palace to welcome us. In the windows were also all our friends who we had not seen for five long years. They had been brought to the Palace to meet us, it made a strong impression, says the Princess.

Princess Astrid received her first education at home in Skaugum, but started at Nissen Girls’ School when she returned to Norway after the war. She graduated in 1950 and then studied social economics and political history at Oxford for two years.

Later, Princess Astrid also learned dressmaking at Märtha School and cooking at Lolly Ræstad’s home economics school.

She also pursued her interests in arts and crafts and apprenticed at Halvor Sandø’s ceramics workshop in Røa.

Princess Astrid was the country’s first lady and her father, King Olav, right-hand woman for 14 years. She took on the role at just 22 years old, when her mother, Crown Princess Märtha, died in 1954.

She served the country through countless journeys and representative duties. Princess Astrid represented the King and the Crown Prince alone or accompanied them at major celebrations around the country. During state visits and other official events, she was the hostess at dinners at the Palace and at Skaugum. She was also at King Olav’s side during his signing trip in 1958 and on the Royal Tour in Northern Norway the following year.

In 1961, Princess Astrid married Johan Martin Ferner in Asker Church. King Olav decided that after the marriage, his daughter would be titled Princess Astrid, Mrs. Ferner. The couple had five children: Cathrine Ferner Johansen (1962), Benedikte Ferner (1963), Alexander Ferner (1965), Elisabeth Ferner (1969) and Carl-Christian Ferner (1972).

When Crown Prince Harald married in 1968, Crown Princess Sonja took over the role of First Lady of Norway, but Princess Astrid continued to represent Norway and the Royal House on small and large occasions throughout her life. She had several official assignments each year, and followed up on her patronages. In her work, Princess Astrid always had special care for the weak in society – for people with a little extra challenges.

Princess Astrid was also the chairwoman of the Crown Princess Märtha’s Memorial Fund, which provides support for social and humanitarian initiatives in organizations and associations.

The princess was also passionate about sports and athletics, and referred to herself as a “sports idiot”. With great knowledge and keen participation on the sidelines, she was a faithful guest at Holmenkollen and often present at sporting events throughout the country – often together with her brother, King Harald. On the occasion of her 80th birthday in 2012, she received the Ski Association’s Birkebeiner plaque for her support of skiing.

Princess Astrid worked and collaborated with three kings, and was rewarded for her great efforts and warm loyalty in 2002, when on her 70th birthday she was granted an honorary pension by the government.

“The Norwegian state has decided to show its recognition for the efforts Princess Astrid, Mrs. Ferner, has made for Norway. As the country’s first lady for a number of years, and later in connection with extensive representational duties. She will therefore be granted an honorary pension by the state treasury.”

Two days ago, Princess Astrid attended the Funeral of King Harald V of Norway at Oslo Cathedral.

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Our condolences to the Norwegian Royal Family on their loss!

Queen Alexandra’s Turquoise Circlet

Vasa Tiara

The Norwegian Emerald Parure

Queen Josefina’s Diamond Tiara

Princess Astrid’s Ruby Aigrette Tiara

Princess Astrid’s Gold Bandeau Tiara

Princess Astrid’s Diamond Aigrette Tiara

Queen Sophia’s Diamond Bracelet Bandeau

The Norwegian Emerald Parure

Queen Josefina’s Diamond Tiara

Queen Maud’s Pearl Tiara

Queen Alexandra’s Diamond Circlet

Diamond Daisy Bandeau

Norwegian Amethyst Parure

Vifte Tiara

Princess Ingeborg’s Boucheron Pearl Tiara

Ruby Heart Pendant

Diamond Rivière

Crown Princess Märtha’s Pearl Earrings

Queen Maud’s Order of Victoria and Albert Bracelet

Art Deco Diamond Bracelet

Pearl Pendant Earrings

King Olav’s Gift Tiara