Copenhagen, Sept 14. (dpa/GNA) – Just two weeks after the death of her brother, king Harald V, Norway’s Princess Astrid has died at the age of 94, the royal family said on Friday.
“Aunt Astrid was an important pillar for King Harald and the rest of us in the family,” the Norwegian royal court quoted King Haakon VIII as saying. “We learned a lot from her and she was not afraid to speak her mind. Her death is a great loss for us. We will miss her,” his statement said.
Princess Astrid died on Friday, just two days after attending her brother’s state funeral. Harald died in hospital at the end of August.
After Astrid’s death, the flag on the balcony of the Royal Palace in Oslo was lowered to half-mast again. “She was extremely loyal and always carried out her duties with commitment, presence and an infectious good humour,” Haakon said.
Princess Astrid had been in poor health for some time. In May she was fitted with a temporary pacemaker, but she continued to perform royal duties.
GNA