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Norwegian royals hold a second funeral in a fortnight as Princess Anne sends 'love and happy memories' tribute

From the Newshound archive · first published 24 September 2026.

Princess Astrid, who died on 11 September aged 94 just two days after paying her final respects to King Harald V, was laid to rest at Ris Church as Princess Anne left a wreath signed simply 'Anne'.
Princess Astrid, who died on 11 September aged 94 just two days after paying her final respects to King Harald V, was laid to rest at Ris Church as Princess Anne left a wreath signed simply 'Anne'.
King Haakon VIII (left) and Queen Sonja follow Princess Astrid's coffin at Ris Church as Norway mourned its second royal loss in a fortnight, with Astrid having made her last public appearance at her younger brother…
King Haakon VIII (left) and Queen Sonja follow Princess Astrid's coffin at Ris Church as Norway mourned its second royal loss in a fortnight, with Astrid having made her last public appearance at her younger brother…

Princess Astrid of Norway, 94, was buried at Ris Church in Oslo on Wednesday, just two weeks after her younger brother King Harald V, who died aged 89 on August 28 after a 35-year reign. King Haakon VIII and Queen Mette-Marit — still on sick leave after a June lung transplant — led the mourners, joined by Queen Sonja and Crown Princess Ingrid Alexandra. International royals including Crown Princess Victoria of Sweden attended, while Norway's Finance Minister Jens Stoltenberg was also present. No British royals travelled to Oslo, but Buckingham Palace sent a wreath of white roses signed simply "Anne," reading: "With love and happy memories."

Astrid had attended Harald's state funeral at Oslo Cathedral on September 9 and died just two days later, making it her final public appearance.

Princess Anne, godmother to King Haakon and a second cousin once removed of Astrid, had travelled to Oslo earlier this month for Harald's funeral alongside Prince William.

Marius Borg Høiby, convicted of rape and assault in June, was absent but his name appeared on a floral wreath at the base of Astrid's coffin.

Moretatler.comCrown Princess Ingrid Alexandra of Norway comforts her mother, Queen Mette-Marit, at the funeral of her great-aunt, Princess AstridGB NewsKing Haakon leads royal presence for Princess Astrid's funeral as Princess Anne shares touching tributenine.com.auNorwegian royal family attend funeral of Princess Astrid who died two weeks after her brother, King Harald V | Nine.com.au
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