Crown Princess Ingrid Alexandra of Norway supports grieving grandmother Queen Sonja at 2nd family funeral

Crown Princess Ingrid Alexandra was a pillar of support for her family on 23 September as the Norwegian royals bid farewell to a second family member in two weeks.

Ingrid Alexandra, who has stepped into a new stoic role as the heir apparent following her grandfather King Harald‘s passing last month, stayed close by her grieving grandmother’s side on Wednesday as they laid the late monarch’s older sister, Princess Astrid, to rest in Oslo. Astrid, who was Queen Sonja‘s sister-in-law for 57 years through her marriage to Harald, passed away at the age of 94 on 11 September. 

Astrid’s death came two days after she joined the rest of the immediate family and royals from around the world at Harald’s state funeral in Oslo on 9 September. 

Ingrid supports her grieving grandmother

The Crown Princess quietly supported her grandmother throughout the sombre occasion, extending a comforting arm as they arrived together at Ris Church in Oslo. The royals were both dressed in mourning black for the funeral, forgoing traditional veils, which they both wore iterations of for King Harald’s funeral. 

© Getty Images

Ingrid Alexandra looked elegant in a tailored black jacket and re-wore a poignant piece of jewellery from her grandfather’s funeral, which had a special connection to her grandmother. The royal appeared to have her diamond heart pendant necklace on, which was a Christening gift from Queen Sonja in 2004. 

The heartwarming accessory, which reportedly belonged to Sonja, features a striking central ruby and a string of pearls. The necklace is said to have been a gift from Harald around the time they welcomed their son Haakon in 1973, who is Ingrid Alexandra’s father and now Norway’s monarch. 

© Getty Images

Comforting presence 

The Crown Princess appeared to be a rock for the Norwegian royals on Wednesday, as they grieved the loss of a second close family member. 

© Alamy Stock Photo

Ingrid Alexandra sweetly held on to her mother, Queen Mette-Marit‘s hand as they were pictured outside the church. 

Mette-Marit has been part of the Norwegian royal family since marrying Harald and Sonja’s only son, Haakon, in 2001.