Looking Back on August 28: The Death of King Harald V

September 28 marks one month since King Harald V took his final breath at the National Hospital in Oslo.

On August 27, following days of declining health, the Royal Court announced that the King’s condition had deteriorated significantly and was considered serious. Members of his immediate family rushed to be by his bedside.

Throughout the day, concerns grew as news of the King’s failing health spread. Later that evening, a visibly emotional Queen Sonja left the hospital after spending nearly ten hours there. Crown Prince Haakon, as he was then known, arrived at the hospital with Crown Princess Mette-Marit. Later that night, the Crown Princess left the hospital, leaving the Crown Prince by his father’s side.

It is safe to say that Crown Prince Haakon was by his father’s side when he took his final breath at 6:35 a.m. on August 28.

Shortly after his death, members of the Norwegian Royal Family arrived at the hospital. From that moment, the events that followed became history.

Princess Astrid of Norway: A Life of Service and Devotion

Princess Astrid, Mrs. Ferner, died on September 11, 2026, at Rikshospitalet in Oslo at the age of 94. Her funeral was held yesterday, September 23, at Ris Church. 

Princess Astrid was born on February 12, 1932, the second child of King Olav V and Crown Princess Märtha. She was the middle child, between Princess Ragnhild and the future King Harald V.

Her life was shaped by some of the most significant moments in modern Norwegian history. As a young girl, she experienced the Second World War and the exile of the Norwegian Royal Family. She later witnessed her father become King, her brother become Crown Prince and eventually King. 

At her funeral, Norway’s Finance Minister Jens Stoltenberg reflected on the close bond between Princess Astrid and her younger brother, King Harald, saying, “King Harald was Princess Astrid’s little brother. And you are a little brother all your life. Astrid looked after Harald. And she did that until the end.”

Following the death of her mother, Crown Princess Märtha, in 1954, Princess Astrid stepped into an important public role. She effectively became Norway's First Lady, accompanying her father at official engagements and representing the Royal Family until her brother Harald's marriage to Sonja Haraldsen in 1968.

She married Johan Ferner in 1961 at Asker Church and became known as Princess Astrid, Mrs. Ferner. The couple went on to have five children and remained married until Johan's death in 2015.

Although Princess Astrid no longer had an official public role following her brother's marriage, she remained a constant presence within the Norwegian Royal Family. Over the decades, she became a link between generations — someone who personally remembered King Haakon VII and Queen Maud while also seeing her nieces and nephews grow into the next generation of the monarchy.

Astrid was the last surviving sibling of King Harald V. She attended her brother’s funeral at Oslo Cathedral on September 9, just two days before her own death. Her appearance at the funeral would ultimately become her final public appearance. Princess Astrid passed away just 14 days and six hours after her brother. 

Princess Astrid, 1932–2026.

Queen Margrethe Hospitalized Again; Will Miss King Harald V’s Funeral

While things have gone somewhat quiet in Norway for now, with King Harald V's funeral taking place on Wednesday, it feels appropriate to share that Queen Margrethe has been hospitalized at Rigshospitalet after feeling unwell.

Her Majesty, 86, is reported to be in good spirits and was admitted after suffering from dehydration. During her hospitalization, doctors discovered a significant collection of blood in the hip region.

You may remember that Queen Margrethe was admitted to hospital in May with a similar issue. At the time, it was reported that she had suffered a fall, which resulted in the significant collection of blood in the hip region. Given the circumstances, it is possible that she may have fallen again, although this has not been confirmed by the Danish Royal Court.

The Danish Royal Court has confirmed that Queen Margrethe will unfortunately miss the funeral of King Harald V in Oslo on Wednesday. She is expected to remain hospitalized throughout the week for treatment and observation.

This marks Queen Margrethe's third admission to Rigshospitalet this year.