Princess Anne's touching farewell to Princess Astrid carries simple message

Princess Anne has sent a deeply personal tribute to Princess Astrid of Norway, with a wreath of white roses bearing a handwritten message from the Princess Royal placed at the late royal’s funeral in Oslo.

The floral tribute was seen at Ris Church on Wednesday, where Princess Astrid’s family, friends and fellow royals gathered to say their final farewells. 

The wreath was signed simply “Anne” and carried the touching words: “With love and happy memories.”

Although no British royals attended Princess Astrid’s funeral today, Buckingham Palace paid a poignant tribute to the late Norwegian royal.

Anne had herself attended King Harald’s funeral alongside Prince William earlier this month. 

Inside Ris Church, King Haakon, Queen Mette-Marit, Queen Sonja and Crown Princess Ingrid Alexandra were among those paying tribute. 

Princess Märtha Louise and her daughters were also present, alongside international royal guests.

The service was led by parish priest Paul Erik Wirgenes and Oslo Bishop Sunniva Gylver, while tributes were also given to Astrid’s long life of service and her place within Norway’s modern royal history.