Princess Astrid grew up on the royal estate of Skaugum in Asker and was privately educated during her childhood. During World War II, she joined her family fleeing the Nazis and spent the war with her mother, brother and sister in exile in Washington, DC.[2] Following the royal family's return to Norway she attended Nissen's Girls' School and graduated with the examen artium university entrance exam in 1950.[3] She then studied economics and political history for two years at Oxford University.
Her Confirmation took place on 9 May 1948 in the Palace Chapel.
The princess later learnt other skills including dressmaking and cooking and pursued her interests in handicrafts.[citation needed] Princess Astrid studied ceramics with Halvor Sandøs.
Princess Astrid's mother died on 5 April 1954 from cancer at age 53 when Astrid was 22 years old.[citation needed] From her mother's death until her brother's marriage in August 1968, Princess Astrid was the senior lady of the court and acted as first lady of Norway, working side-by-side with her father on all representation duties, including state visits.[1] Princess Astrid raised her family in Vinderen; she now lives in Nordmarka, Oslo. Her hobbies include knitting, embroidery, reading and painting porcelain.[citation needed]
In 2002, the Government granted the Princess an honorary pension in recognition of all her efforts on behalf of Norway both during and following her years as first lady.[4] In 2005, she took part in ceremonies marking the 60th anniversary of the end of World War II, including the unveiling of a plaque marking the Norwegian monarch's exile in London.[5]
In February 2012, Princess Astrid celebrated her 80th birthday with a private dinner at the Royal Palace in Oslo.[6]
Marriage and children
Princess Astrid married commonerJohan Martin Ferner in Asker Church on 12 January 1961. Together, the couple have five children, seven grandchildren, and as of 2023, three great-grandchildren.[7]
Cathrine Ferner (b. 22 July 1962, Oslo),[8] married 9 December 1989 in Oslo, Arild Johansen (b. 18 June 1961, Oslo), and has two children:
Sebastian Ferner Johansen (b. 9 March 1990, Oslo), married Ida Belinda Lundstrøm, and has two children:
Nicoline Johansen (b. 2019).
Ferdinand Johansen (b. 2021).
Madeleine Ferner Johansen (b. 7 March 1993, Oslo), married 17 October 2022 in Oslo, Ole-Aleksander Karlsen, and has one daughter:
Hermine Karlsen (b. 2023).
Benedikte Ferner (b. 27 September 1963, Oslo),[9] married firstly 30 April 1994 in Oslo (divorced 1998) Rolf Woods (b. 17 June 1963, Oslo), without issue, and married secondly on 2 December 2000 in Oslo and separated in 2002, Mons Einar Stange (b. 26 May 1962, Oslo), without issue.
Alexander Ferner (b. 15 March 1965, Oslo),[10] married 27 July 1996 in Holmenkollen Kapell, Oslo, Margrét Gudmundsdóttir (b. 27 March 1966, Reykjavík, Iceland), and has two children:
Princess Astrid is chair of the board of Crown Princess Märtha’s Memorial Fund which provides financial support to social and humanitarian initiatives carried out by non-governmental organisations.[15]
She is a patron of several organisations. She has been particularly involved in work for children and young people with dyslexia, herself having that condition.
Foundation 3,14 – Gallery 3,14 (Hordaland International Art Gallery)
The Norwegian Women’s Public Health Association
The Norwegian Women’s and Family Association
The Norwegian Women’s Defence League
Oslo Art Association
The Norwegian Women’s Voluntary Defence Association
Inner Wheel Norway
The Norwegian Dyslexia Association
Dissimilis Norway
Foreningen for Kroniske Smertepasienter ("The Norwegian Association of Chronic Pain Patients")
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