Crown Princess Ingrid Alexandra marks major first as new heir to the throne

Crown Princess Ingrid Alexandra has marked a major milestone in her new role as heir to the throne of Norway. 

The future Queen, 22, held her first official solo audience in her new office at the Royal Palace in Oslo, receiving representatives from Operasjon Dagsverk (Operation Workday), the Students and Academics International Relief Fund (SAIH), Norwegian People's Aid Solidarity Youth and the South African student organisation Equal Education.

Ingrid has now taken over the heir to the throne's office, the Arcade Room, while Haakon has moved into the late King Harald's old office in the opposite wing. She was given her own office when she came of age, when she turned 18.

Ingrid looked elegant in a navy suit with a ribbon, looking professional as she posed for a group photo on Wednesday.

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During the audience, she was briefed on Operation Workday's campaign, which this year aims to improve the safety of schools in South Africa.

Haakon's father, the late King, passed away on 26 August at the age of 89, with his son automatically becoming the new monarch.

Crown Princess Ingrid Alexandra steps up

Ingrid is currently enrolled at the University of Oslo, but will return to Australia in February to continue her studies at the University of Sydney.

This means she has been fitting in more official engagements than usual since her father, King Haakon, began his reign. 

For example, the Princess attended the Stortingsmiddag for the first time earlier this month, an official banquet for members of parliament.

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She also stood by her father as he swore allegiance to the constitution and became King.  

Her increased role is also due to the absence of her mother, Queen Mette-Marit, from the Palace's official schedule, as she continues to recover from a lung transplant in June.

"I'm lucky because I have the Queen on my team. That gives me security and support," the monarch said before explaining his wife's absence from the first state dinner of his reign. 

However, it means that Ingrid has been acting as Norway's de facto First Lady.

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Ingrid, who has become heir at just 22, was the first Princess to train in all three branches of the armed forces, and the first member of the royal family to attend public school.  

Princess Ingrid's next steps

The Princess is in the second year of a three-year degree in social sciences at the University of Sydney. 

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Now that the official mourning period has ended, she will return to Australia in February to continue her studies and will only occasionally attend official events. 

Ingrid previously completed her first solo audience in June 2025, when she welcomed the Children's Climate Panel to the Palace.