Meet Princess Ingrid Alexandra of Norway

Photo: Ida Bjørvik, The Norwegian Royal Court

In 1905, the Norwegian people voted in favor of having Prince Carl of Denmark to become King of the newly independent nation. Just over a century later, his great-great granddaughter is entering into adulthood and preparing to one day be the country's first Queen in the modern era. 

Born on January 21, 2004, Princess Ingrid Alexandra is the oldest child of Crown Prince Haakon Magnus and the former Mette-Marit Tjessem Hoiby. The King of Spain, the King of Denmark, and the Crown Princess of Sweden are among her godparents. She has an older half-brother by her mother, Marius Borg Hoiby, and a younger brother, Prince Sverre Magnus. While her grandfather, King Harald V remains on the throne, Ingrid Alexandra is second in line to the throne after her father. Unlike most of the other future Queens Regnant in Europe, she is not yet in the heir's spot. This may afford her a little more breathing room as she explores her future.

Like most Norwegians, Ingrid Alexandra is friendly, sporty, and outdoorsy. Her family has taken her hiking, skiing, and surfing around the world. Like many people of her generation, she also has a keen interest in environmental issues. Some of her first official engagements have focused on this area, including christening both a sea rescue boat and sea research vessel, which was named for her father. 

Having completed her secondary education in 2023 and then worked school assistant and environmental worker, Princess Ingrid Alexandra began 12 months of military training in 2024 with the Engineer Battalion of Norway's only combat brigade. If she follows in the footsteps of most modern future Kings and Queens, she will like complete an undergraduate University program and may complete more military duties before embarking on full-time royal duties. 

So far, her biggest moment in the spotlight was the gala celebration for her 18th birthday. A tiaras-and-tails event, it was attended by many of the other young monarchs-in-waiting: Prince Christian of Denmark, Princess Cathrina Amalia Princess of Orange, Princess Elisabeth Duchess of Brabant, and Princess Estelle of Sweden (who, like Ingrid Alexandra) is number two in line for her throne. The princess's big present for the occasion (besides wearing a tiara for the first timer) was her own office at the Palace in Oslo. She was also awarded the Grand Cross of the Royal Norwegian Order of St. Olav and was created a Dame of the Royal Family Order of King Harald, her grandfather. Denmark marked the occasion by making her a Knight of the Order of the Elephant.

In her 18th birthday interview, Princess Ingrid Alexandra shared her love for her brothers and her cousins. She has an optimistic view for the future, but likes to keep her private life private. She will likely continue to travel and explore nature to ground herself. As she said, "It is nature that gives you peace and control. When you speed down into the woods on skiis, when you surf far out there alone, then you are fearless."

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