OSLO, Norway (AP) — Wilma, the cherished Chihuahua who spent years at the side of Princess Astrid of Norway and became a familiar presence at royal events, has died just days after the princess’s death, the Norwegian Royal Court announced.

The court said Wilma passed away peacefully after a lengthy illness. The dog had been living with one of Princess Astrid’s children since the princess died Sept. 11 at age 94.

“Wilma also passed away peacefully, resting where she was happiest, on a warm and welcoming lap,” the court said in a statement.

The loss marks the latest in a series of personal tragedies for Norway’s royal family. Princess Astrid’s death came less than two weeks after the passing of her brother, King Harald V, who died Aug. 28 following a period of declining health. Astrid was among the family members who gathered at the king’s bedside during his final days and made what would become her last public appearance at his funeral in Oslo on Sept. 9.

For many Norwegians, Wilma had become nearly as recognizable as her owner. The small Chihuahua frequently accompanied Astrid to public engagements, often curled up comfortably on the princess’s lap. As Astrid’s health and mobility declined in recent years, the dog remained a constant companion.

The royal court said Astrid had adopted Wilma from a rehoming and retirement center for dogs. The pair lived together for several years and developed a close bond that was evident during public appearances.

Following Astrid’s death, many supporters of the royal family took to social media to ask what would happen to Wilma. The court said the dog had been cared for by one of Astrid’s children but had also been suffering from health problems for some time.

Astrid’s affection for animals, particularly dogs, often drew comparisons to Britain’s Queen Elizabeth II, whose corgis became one of the defining symbols of her reign. Like Elizabeth, Astrid was rarely photographed without her canine companion nearby.

Photos from recent years frequently showed the princess seated in a wheelchair with Wilma nestled in her lap. Those images became a familiar sight at charitable functions and royal events and helped reinforce Astrid’s warm public image.

Following her death, Norway’s new monarch, King Haakon VIII, praised his aunt’s lifetime of public service and dedication to the royal household.

“Throughout her long life, Princess Astrid represented the royal house in a warm and dutiful manner,” the king said in a statement.

Astrid’s children also paid tribute, describing her as “the best mother we could have.”

The death of Wilma closes a chapter that many Norwegians viewed as a touching symbol of companionship and loyalty. In little more than a month, the royal family has mourned the loss of a king, a princess and the small dog that rarely left her side.