Princess Astrid of Norway will be buried on September 23 in Ris Church in Oslo, with the ceremony open to the public after her death on September 11.
Princess Astrid, 94, died on September 11 at Rikshospitalet in Oslo at 12:35 PM, two days after attending her brother King Harald’s funeral. Her own burial will take place on September 23 at Ris Church, with the Norwegian Church confirming the date and open access for attendees. The ceremony, led by priest Paul Erik Wirgenes and Oslo Bishop Sunniva Gylver, will be broadcast on NRK for those unable to attend in person.
Public Access and Security Measures
The funeral will be open to all, with entry beginning at 11:45 AM. Attendees must pass through security checks, prohibiting large bags, backpacks, and umbrellas.
The event coincides with a national flagging order, with state agencies and municipalities required to fly flags at half-mast from morning until the burial concludes at 2:00 PM. Afterward, flags will return to full staff, following standard protocols.
Royal Participation and Legacy
Kong Haakon, dronning Mette-Marit, kronprinsesse Ingrid Alexandra, dronning Sonja and other family members will attend the funeral, according to the Royal Court. Prince Sverre Magnus, however, is not listed, as he is studying in Lisbon. The ceremony will honor Astrid’s lifelong service to the monarchy, including her role in representing the royal family during her brother’s funeral, where she sat in a wheelchair adorned with portrait needles of the three kings she served.
Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre, attending the UN General Assembly, is represented by Finance Minister Jens Stoltenberg, who will deliver a eulogy. Stoltenberg’s involvement highlights his familial ties to Astrid, as his father, Thorvald Stoltenberg, knew her from their youth in 1950.
Astrid was the last of her generation to hold the “house order” titles awarded by her male relatives. She received her first house order from King Haakon VII, the second from her father, King Olav V, and the third from her brother, King Harald V. Til slutt rakk hun å oppleve at nevøen Haakon ble konge.
Public Mourning and Historical Context
Public mourning has already been visible, with flowers and candles placed on Oslo’s Palace Square.
King Haakon said, Aunt Astrid was an important support for King Harald and us others in the family.
King Haakon said, We learned a lot from her, and she was not afraid to speak up.
According to the Royal Court.
Astrid’s final official duty was representing the monarchy at the 100th anniversary of the Blindern and Vinderen Sanitetsforening 12. mai i år. She had been hospitalized in March for pneumonia and in May for heart failure, during which she received a pacemaker. Her death follows a tradition of state-funded burials for royal family members, as confirmed by the Royal Court.
Astrid’s funeral follows a pattern of public mourning, with citizens laying flowers and candles on Slottsplassen. Her husband, Johan Martin Ferner, was buried at Ris Church Cemetery, where she will also be interred.
The Norwegian Church emphasized the funeral’s significance, stating that it will be a høytidelig og verdig begravelse
as per the family’s wishes.