Princess Astrid was photographed alone in Oslo’s Royal Palace, sitting in her wheelchair and facing the coffin of her brother, King Harald V. The Norwegian Royal House released three images of Astrid, now the last surviving sibling, dressed in black and saying goodbye in private before the state funeral set for May 9. The images depart from usual protocol.
The photos capture more than a family ritual. They show Astrid honoring her brother as she recovers from months in the hospital after pneumonia. She had seen King Harald V only in his final hours at Rikshospitalet, away from the public. Since then, she had not appeared at official or parliamentary events, making her presence at the palace unexpected and meaningful.
King Harald V died on August 28, 2026, at Oslo University Hospital Rikshospitalet, aged 89. The palace said he died peacefully at 06:35 local time.
One image stands out: Astrid looking through the palace windows at the flowers Norwegians left in the square below. The coffin, covered with the royal standard and flanked by the Crown’s insignia, sits at the center of national mourning and a sister’s quiet vigil. By sharing these moments, the Royal House has offered a rare glimpse of private royal grief ahead of the public ceremonies.
Astrid’s role in the Glücksburg family has often been understated. After her mother, Crown Princess Marta, died in 1954, Astrid served as Norway’s unofficial first lady for three years, until Harald’s marriage. She was a steady support to her father, Olav V, and her brother during their reigns. Her absence from public life in recent months had raised questions about whether she could attend the state funeral.
It remains unclear whether Astrid will attend the ceremony at Oslo Cathedral, given her health. The Royal House has not confirmed her participation, so her farewell at the palace may be her last public gesture to Harald V. That uncertainty adds weight to the images as personal and historical records.
Palace statements say the official funeral for King Harald V is scheduled for September 9, 2026, at Oslo Cathedral at 13:00 local time. Before the funeral, his body will lie in state at the Royal Palace chapel until September 8, giving the public a chance to pay their respects. A period of national mourning was declared after Harald V’s death, and his son Haakon immediately became the new monarch.
The transition of power in Norway has already drawn attention, as reported earlier, with Haakon VIII’s accession marked by strong public support and impressive absences in the royal family. Astrid’s private farewell highlights the personal cost of royal ceremonies and the endurance demanded of those who remain in the public eye.
The images record a private moment and reveal the burdens royal families carry in times of loss. Astrid’s presence, even in silence, signals the end of an era for Norway’s monarchy and reflects the quiet ability to recover of a woman who has shaped its history. By sharing these moments, the Royal House has acknowledged vulnerability at the highest level and shown how institutions are shaped by the people within them.
