Despite the controversies swirling around the Norwegian Royal Family these days, Princess Astrid is showing how the commitment to duty is lifelong with a new message to one of her patronages she’s held since 1954.

Over the weekend, the Norwegian Women’s Sanitary Association held its national meeting and Princes Astrid, its patron for 70 years, told them: “It has been 70 meaningful years. Because the work you do means a lot to so many.”

She added: “Throughout all these years that we have followed each other, the Sanitetskvinnenne have adapted their activities in line with social development and with new needs. You see people. You see where you are needed. And you put measures in place.”

The Norwegian Women’s Sanitary Association was founded in 1896 and has become Norway’s biggest women’s association, with 550 local groups comprising 44,000 members. They dedicate themselves to women’s health, sanitation and research.

In her video message, Princess Astrid said: “The strength you represent in society, on a daily basis, is extra important in times of crisis. Then we need to know which resources are actually available, and where we can find them. Thank you for putting this topic on the agenda.”

When Princess Astrid became patron of the Norwegian Women’s Sanitary Association back in 1954, she was a young princess representing her grandfather and father, born without succession rights but acting, at times, as Norway’s first lady in the absence of her grandmother Queen Maud and mother Crown Princess Märtha.

The 92-year-old royal continues to carry out select engagements close to her heart, supporting her younger brother, King Harald and her sister-in-law Queen Sonja.