Two weeks after the state funeral of King Harald, Norway now bids farewell to another member of its royal family. The Princess Astrid, aunt of King Haakon VIII, died on September 11 at the age of 94 and today she has been buried in Oslo. The funeral took place at what was her parish, the Ris Church, in the center of the capital.
The Norwegian Government had previously announced that Princess Astrid would be granted a funeral financed by the State. And that, in addition, the flags would fly at half-mast in her honor. In recognition of «her great efforts and warm loyalty», according to the Norwegian Crown’s social networks, she was granted an honorary pension on the occasion of her 70th birthday in 2002.
The kings Haakon and Mette-Marit, Queen Sonja and Crown Princess Ingrid Alexandra led the royal procession on their arrival at Ris Church to pay tribute to Princess Astrid. They entered the church five minutes before the ceremony began, accompanied by Princess Märtha Louise, her husband, the shaman Durek Verrett, and their daughters: Maud Angelica Behn, Leah Isadora Behn and Emma Tallulah Behn.
The most notable absences were those of Prince Sverre Magnus, Ingrid’s younger brother, who this week landed in Lisbon to begin his studies at Forward College, the same university where Infanta Sofía studies. Marius Borg, Mette-Marit’s eldest son, did not attend the funeral either. The young man remains under house arrest after being sentenced to four years in prison, although he has always denied the most serious charges against him. On this occasion he did not seek permission from the Police to attend the church.
The royals at Princess Astrid’s funeral
When the Norwegian royals arrived at the church, they did so as a family that—in very little time—has been forced to bid farewell to two of their most beloved members. Haakon and his relatives laid a wreath of white roses with all their names on the coffin covered with the Norwegian flag. There was also another wreath sent by Princess Anne of England with the message: «With love and fond memories».
The kings Haakon and Mette-Marit, together with Queen Sonja, on their arrival at the funeral.
Before the start of the funeral, the parish priest Paul Erik Wirgenes delivered a speech in memory of Princess Astrid, which moved the princess’s relatives. Previously, a children’s choir and a soloist had performed the piece Pie Jesu. This work originally composed by Andrew Lloyd Webber in 1985 is usually associated with moments of official mourning in Norway.
During the speeches in memory of Princess Astrid, her children – five from her marriage to businessman and Olympic medalist Johan Martin Ferner – remembered her with these emotionally charged words: «Dear mom, dear Princess Astrid, thank you for being the best mother we could have had. Throughout our lives, you have always been there for us». They were the ones who carried the princess’s coffin along with King Haakon at the end of the funeral.
Although the ceremony did not feature a royal conclave similar to the one at King Harald’s funeral, there was representation from three European crowns in Oslo. Crown Princess Victoria of Sweden, Harald’s goddaughter, once again proved to be the greatest support for the Norwegian royals and was seen embracing Märtha Louise warmly. Also present were Princes Astrid and Lorenz of Belgium and Princess Margareta of Luxembourg.
The remembrance of Harald’s sister
After her death, the Norwegian royal house stressed that the princess, throughout a long life, worked alongside the four Norwegian kings since their independence in 1905: «Haakon VII, her father King Olav V, her brother King Harald V and, until the end, with His Majesty King Haakon VIII». They have also invited all citizens to send a final farewell through a digital book of condolences on the Royal Palace’s website.
Princess Astrid and King Harald.
For fourteen years, from 1954 to 1968, Princess Astrid was the First Lady of Norway and she diligently maintained her official duties until the last moment. «She was always particularly concerned with the care and inclusion of the most vulnerable in society», King Haakon stressed after her death. «She was very loyal and always carried out her duties with dedication, presence and an infectious spirit. Aunt Astrid was an important support for King Harald and the rest of us in the family».
After the funeral, it is also known what will happen to Wilma, the beloved chihuahua of Princess Astrid. Wilma was adopted from a shelter for animals in Solplassen and was her inseparable companion throughout her old age. Now, that same shelter has confirmed that the dog «now lives happily with one of the princess’s sons».
