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Norway

Princess Astrid of Norway makes rare public statement

Princess Astrid of Norway has made a rare public statement in support of a cause close to her heart. The 88-year-old Norwegian princess is the daughter of the late King Olav V and the older sister of Norway’s current monarch, Harald V. She is also a patron of the Norwegian Women’s Public Health Association, among many others. The statement on December 7th 2020 was a greeting to this organization which has worked hard for Norway during the pandemic.

The Princess said: “Dear members and employees of the Norwegian Women’s Public Health Association. Across the country, Norwegian members of the sanitation association have mobilized their good forces since the pandemic hit Norway in March. You have taken care of vulnerable groups in an unusual and difficult time, isolated elderly and vulnerable women and families with children have had a slightly easier everyday life thanks to you. You have seen the needs and contributed with care and help. You showed us that there is a short way from words to action and you quickly mobilized efforts for the nation’s public health. This fits into your long and proud history.”

The Norwegian Women’s Public Health Association is the largest women’s organisation and one of the leading humanitarian organisations of Norway. The organization’s main areas of focus are women’s health and living conditions. It is involved in humanitarian work, such as running hospitals and nursing homes. The association currently has 750 local branches and more than 50, 000 members.

Princess Astrid continued: “Together we are less alone. We may all need care as the days get darker and Christmas approaches. I know you are planning extra attention for some groups also through Christmas. In many places, infection control prevents us from meeting as often as we would like. So before we can create encounters between people, I encourage everyone to make a phone call to someone we know is struggling a little more these days. In difficult times, we must all contribute. It is meaningful to provide security in an insecure time. Together as a nation, we will get through this together, we have done that before. I want to thank each and every one of you for the efforts you make. I wish you all a Merry Christmas. Then we can hope that the New Year will be brighter for all of us.”

About author

Senior Europe Correspondent Oskar Aanmoen has a master in military and political history of the Nordic countries. He has written six books on historical subjects and more than 1.500 articles for Royal Central. He has also interview both Serbian and Norwegian royals. Aanmoen is based in Oslo, Norway.