The biography of Princess Astrid
Princess Astrid was born on 12 February 1932. She was the daughter of King Olav V and Crown Princess Märtha, and the sister of King Harald V.
When Princess Astrid was born, Skaugum Estate was undergoing renovation following a fire in 1930, so the Princess was born at Solbakken near Skøyen in Oslo. At an extraordinary meeting of the Council of State after the birth of the Princess, King Haakon VII announced that she would be given the name Astrid Maud Ingeborg. She was named after her aunt, Queen Astrid of Belgium, and her two grandmothers, Queen Maud of Norway and Princess Ingeborg of Sweden.
Princess Astrid was not entitled to succeed to the Throne.
Early life
In 1934, the family returned to Skaugum, where Princess Astrid spent her early years together with her elder sister, Princess Ragnhild, and her younger brother, Prince Harald.
Princess Astrid was nine years old when German troops invaded Norway on 9 April 1940. To avoid being taken into custody by the occupying forces, the Royal Family and the Government escaped from Oslo by train. That same night, Crown Princess Märtha and the three children fled to safety across the border to Sweden. On 12 August they travelled to the USA at the invitation of President Franklin D. Roosevelt.
For the next five years, Princess Astrid lived with her mother, sister and brother at Pook’s Hill, in the outskirts of Washington, D.C. Crown Princess Märtha worked tirelessly to promote Norwegian interests, while the children contributed in their own way.
Official photographs at Pook’s Hill
On 7 June 1945, the family was finally able to return to Norway. Thousands gathered in Oslo harbour to welcome them home.
Princess Astrid's education
Education
Princess Astrid received her first schooling at home. When she returned to Norway following WWII, Princess Astrid enrolled in Nissen girls’ school. She completed upper secondary school in 1950 and then studied economics and political history for two years at Oxford University.
Later she also learned dressmaking and cooking at schools in Norway.
In addition, she pursued her interest in handicrafts and studied ceramics with the renowned artist Halvor Sandøs.
First Lady
When Crown Princess Märtha died in 1954, the 22-year-old Princess Astrid assumed the role of First Lady. She continued as First Lady until 1968, when then Crown Prince Harald married Miss Sonja Haraldsen. Princess Astrid also assumed responsibility for Crown Princess Märtha’s Memorial Fund, a duty which remained a key focus of her activities.
Princess Astrid carried out official duties for the Royal House of Norway until her death on 11 September 2026.
Earlier portraits of Princess Astrid
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Family
In 1961, Princess Astrid married Johan Martin Ferner at Asker Church. Her choice of husband had met with opposition because Ferner was divorced, but Princess Astrid stood her ground, and eventually King Olav gave his consent. King Olav decided that after her marriage the Princess’s title would be Her Highness Princess Astrid Mrs Ferner.
Princess Astrid and her husband had five children: Mrs Cathrine Ferner Johansen (1962), Ms Benedikte Ferner (1963), Mr Alexander Ferner (1965), Ms Elisabeth Ferner (1969), and Mr Carl-Christian Ferner (1972).
Johan Martin Ferner died on 24 January 2015.
Wedding 1961
Passion for Sports
Driven by her enduring passion for sport, Princess Astrid was an avid spectator, both through official engagements, as well as privately. She loyally attended ski festivals in Holmenkollen and was a proud recipient of the Holmenkollen Medal, considered Norwegian skiing highest honour.
On the occasion of her 80th birthday in 2012, she was awarded the Birkebeiner Plaque (Birkebeinerplaketten) by the Association for the Promotion of Skiing in recognition of her support for Norwegian skiing.
Princess Astrid is rarely seen without her dog, Wilma. Dogs have been a cherished part of her life from an early age — she received her first from her parents on her second birthday. Wilma was adopted from a rehoming centre, as was her previous dog, Tarzan.
“If a dog is not thriving in its current home, it is a privilege to offer it a better life,” Princess Astrid said in an interview with NRK marking her 93rd birthday.
Princess Astrid died on 11 September 2026, just two days after attending the funeral of her younger brother, King Harald.
