Royal Watch News

Norway's Princess Ragnhild dies aged 82

Sep 17, 2012, 12:01 GMT

Princess Ragnhild

Norway's Princess Ragnhild has died.

The country's royal palace have confirmed that the princess passed away yesterday (16.09.12) aged 82 at her home in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, after suffering from a long illness.

She was the eldest child of King Olav V and Crown Princess Martha and the first royal child to be born in Norway since the Middle Ages.

When she was 23 years old the princess broke royal tradition by marrying a commoner - shipowner's son and resistance fighter named Erling Lorentzen - and the pair settled in Brazil to have their three children - Haakon, Ingebord and Ragnhild Alexandra.

In Brazil the princess was simply known as Mrs Ragnhild, living a quiet life as a housewife and rarely attending engagements on behalf of the Norwegian royal family.

She caused controversy on Norwegian TV in 2004, criticising her royal niece and nephew's choice of spouse by saying that Princess Martha Louise and Crown Prince Haakon had 'bad adivsors'.

The princess was close to her father, King Olav, and treasured their relationship so much that after he passed away in 1991 she burned the letters that he had sent to her over the years.

When people questioned her actions the princess said that the letters were between her and her father, and no one else.

The royal household said a funeral service will be held at the palace but the date and time have yet to be confirmed.