Princess Ingrid Alexandra of Norway takes over her father's role as heir to the throne

Princess Ingrid Alexandra is now the heir to the Norwegian throne after the passing of her grandfather King Harald V on Friday August 28, 2026.

Crown Prince Haakon will soon become the King of Norway alongside his wife Mette-Marit, who will become Queen. Though it is not against Norwegian legislation to hold a coronation ceremony, none have taken place since 1906.

© Ida Bjørvik/The Royal Court

It is therefore more likely that the soon-to-be King Haakon will simply take a formal accession oath in the Council of State, and then at the Parliament, otherwise known as the Storting. 

Princess Ingrid Alexandra, 20, is the first female heir to the Norwegian throne in 600 years - the last female monarch being Queen Margaret who died in 1412. It can be assumed that Princess Ingrid Alexandra will become Crown Princess Ingrid Alexandra when her father becomes King.

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For King Harald and Queen Sonja, Ingrid was not their first grandchild, as a year earlier Maud Angélica Behn had been born - the eldest of the three daughters of Princess Märtha Louise of Norway and her late ex-husband, the writer Ari Behn. However, she was the first child born to the heir and, above all, the first girl born after 1990, when absolute primogeniture was established - meaning the firstborn reigns regardless of whether they are male or female. Something that did not happen in the previous generation, as Princess Märtha Louise is two years older than her brother Haakon.

Who is Princess Ingrid Alexandra?

The young heir celebrated her 22nd birthday on 21 January and is currently studying at the University of Sydney, where she is studying for a three-year degree in social sciences and living on campus.  To celebrate her birthday at the start of the year, the palace shared a glimpse into her undergrad life studying abroad, with pictures showing the Princess by the Sydney Opera House, meeting a kangaroo, and looking at koalas.

 Prior to enrolling at university, Ingrid udertook military training at the Engineer Battalion in Brigade Nord. She grew up surrounded by royals from across Europe, namely her godfathers King Felipe of Spain and King Frederik of Denmark, and her godmother Crown Princess Victoria of Sweden.

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Like her father, Princess Ingrid attended a state primary school before attending the private English-language Oslo International School. To complete her lower secondary education, Ingrid was transferred to Oslo's Uranienborg School before enrolling at Elvebakken Upper Secondary School. 

The future queen won a gold medal in the Norwegian surfing championship for juniors and is also an avid skier and kickboxer. 

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First solo royal trip 

Princess Ingrid carried out her first official solo trip earlier this year when she visited Finnmark, the northernmost county of Norway. During the three-day tour, she visited Karasjok and Kirkenes, spent a night reindeer herding with a Sámi family, toured the Sámi Parliament, and met with local students.

Preparing to be Queen

In recent years, Princess Ingrid Alexandra has been taking steps to prepare for her future role as the Queen of Norway - with her first solo royal trip away another indication of her growing responsibilities. In December, she made her debut at the Nobel Peace Prize ceremony at Oslo City Hall, joining her parents and grandparents, King Harald V and Queen Sonja.  

The youngster is set to concentrate on her studies for the next three years, but has gradually been introduced to public duties in recent years, attending events such as state visits and Norway's national day celebrations, and visiting organisations such as the Red Cross.

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Her first royal undertaking took place in 2015 when she was just 11. She christened the Norwegian Rescue Company's new lifeboat, Elias, in the company of her grandfather who made her the godmother of the boat.

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In 2018,  Ingrid hosted the Prince and Princess of Wales on a tour of the Princess Ingrid Alexandra Sculpture Park in the Palace Park during their official visit to Norway. It was announced in June 2023 by the Norwegian Royal Court that the Princess would return to Uranienborg School to work as a school assistant and environmental worker.