At a glance…
- Princess Ingrid Alexandra is second in line to the Norwegian throne after her father, Crown Prince Haakon.
- In 2026, the 22-year-old moved to Sydney to study for a Bachelor of Arts at the University of Sydney.
- She returned to Norway to be with her mother, Crown Princess Mette-Marit, who underwent a lung transplant.
- She has transferred to the University of Oslo for a semester to be closer to her family.
There are countless reasons why royal watchers are particularly intrigued by Norway’s Princess Ingrid Alexandra.
Australians rejoiced when the Norwegian Palace confirmed the 22-year-old would head Down Under to commence a three-year undergraduate degree. She arrived in July 2025 to settle in ahead of beginning her three-year degree in Social Sciences at the University of Sydney.
“Her Royal Highness Princess Ingrid Alexandra will begin her studies at the University of Sydney in August, enrolling in a Bachelor of Arts program,” a statement read. “She has chosen a three-year degree with a focus on international relations and political economy,” it continued.
“The Princess will be studying full-time and residing in a student residence on campus. Her Royal Highness looks forward to dedicating herself to her studies in the years to come.”
Upon arriving in Sydney, Princess Ingrid shared on Instagram: “I’m looking forward to starting my studies at the University of Sydney. It will be exciting to become a student, and I’m looking forward to gaining new perspectives on both European and international politics. I’m sure that I will learn a lot.”
To help her move, her parents, Crown Prince Haakon and Crown Princess Mette-Marit, also visited Sydney, according to Norwegian publication Seher.
Why has Princess Ingrid returned to Norway?
Princess Ingrid returned to Norway in June 2026, temporarily putting her studies in Sydney on hold, as her mother’s health declined.
“It has to do with the family situation. She wants to be with her mother,” Ingrid’s father, Crown Prince Haakon, said.
Crown Princess Mette-Marit was diagnosed with chronic pulmonary fibrosis, a condition where scarring occurs in the lungs. Her health has deteriorated quickly, with Norway’s heir sharing his concerns in late May.
Princess Ingrid plans to “complete her studies in Australia,” Crown Prince Haakon added.
The Norwegian Palace then released a statement that Ingrid was transferring to the University of Oslo for a semester:
“In order to be closer to her family, Princess Ingrid Alexandra has returned to Norway and will spend the autumn semester of 2026 as an exchange student at the University of Oslo as part of her studies at the University of Sydney.”
Princess Ingrid settles in
Princess Ingrid will have spent a full year in Australia in July 2026, during which her nose is often in a book while studying for exams, often under a particular tree due to Aussie “superstition.”
“If you haven’t started reading before the jacaranda trees are in full bloom, it means trouble in your exams,” she confessed.
At the start of her first year, Princess Ingrid revealed what she thinks of Sydney so far.
“I’m enjoying it very much so far,” she told Norway’s National Broadcaster. “I think Sydney was the right choice for me.”
“I haven’t explored as much as I’d like yet… I’m enjoying it incredibly well – it’s a beautiful city, and there’s a lot to discover.”
However, during the Christmas holidays, the Norwegian princess took a break from her studies to visit some of our native animals at Sydney’s Taronga Zoo.
The royal interviewed one of the zookeepers there, who explained the ethos and aim of Taronga Zoo.
Watch the reel here and below.
Who is Princess Ingrid Alexandra of Norway?
Ingrid is the eldest child of Crown Prince Haakon and Crown Princess Mette-Marit.
Her paternal grandfather, King Harald V, her maternal grandmother, Marit Tjessem, and her aunt Princess Märtha Louise – as well as King Frederik X of Denmark, the Crown Princess of Sweden, and King Felipe VI of Spain – are her godparents.
Currently, Ingrid is second in line to the Norwegian throne, following her father.
Furthermore, she is poised to become Norway’s second female monarch – the first being Queen Margaret, who reigned from 1388 to 1412.
How old is Princess Ingrid Alexandra of Norway?
On January 21, 2004, in the middle of Norway’s winter season, Princess Ingrid Alexandra was born at Rikshospitalet in Oslo.
Ingrid is currently 22 years old.
Is Ingrid Alexandra of Norway in the military?
In early 2024, Ingrid was chosen as one of 9,900 young Norwegians selected for mandatory military service.
The royal began her service on January 17, 2024, joining the Engineer Battalion in Brigade Nord at Skjold Camp in Inner Troms, and primarily serving as a gunner on a CV-90 infantry fighting vehicle.
In September 2024, Ingrid voluntarily extended her mandatory 12 months of service to 15 months.
She ultimately completed her military service on April 4, 2025.
