Norway’s National Day has left a bittersweet image for the royal family this year. While the traditional May 17 celebrations were taking place in Oslo, Princess Ingrid Alexandra commemorated the date more than 15,000 kilometers from home, from Australia, where she is currently pursuing her university studies. Her message from Sydney, broadcast by the Norwegian Royal House, quickly became one of the most talked-about moments of the day.
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The 22-year-old heir appeared dressed in the bunad, the traditional Norwegian costume that represents the country’s cultural identity and whose designs vary according to each region. From Australia, the princess shared words marked by nostalgia and addressed especially to Norwegians living far from their country. “Dear all: Today I feel a bit nostalgic. It is so nice to be able to dress elegantly, take the train, and celebrate our constitution. Today I celebrate May 17 in Sydney and hope everyone has a lovely celebration, whether at home or abroad. Happy birthday, Norway!” she expressed in the video published on the official channels of the monarchy.
According to the Norwegian press, the eldest daughter of the crown princes participated in several events organized by the Norwegian-Australian Chamber of Commerce, the Seamen’s Church, and ANSA, the association of Norwegian students abroad. Precisely, one of those celebrations took place in a park in Sydney, where dozens of young people and compatriots recreated the typical festive atmosphere of Norway’s National Day with traditional music, flags, waffles, and sausages. During the day, the princess was accompanied by her assistant and by the Norwegian ambassador to Australia, Anne Grete Riise, in what has been considered her first official public appearance in the country.
Ingrid Alexandra moved to Australia in August 2025 to begin a new academic stage. She is currently studying Social Sciences at the University of Sydney, specializing in International Relations and Political Economy. The heir lives on the campus of St Andrew’s College, one of the university’s most exclusive residences, where she shares a room with another student and participates in university life as any other student.
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Celebration in Oslo
Meanwhile, in Norway, early Sunday morning, Princes Haakon and Mette-Marit presided over the traditional greeting to the children’s parade in Asker, in front of their official residence at Skaugum, accompanied only by their youngest son, Prince Sverre Magnus. The Crown Princess appeared with the artificial respirator she has been using for months due to her lung problems. A condition that caused her a severe coughing fit during the event and forced her to rest seated in a chair for part of the ceremony.
The absence of Ingrid Alexandra, usual at this family gathering, was especially noticeable. Marius Borg Høiby, the eldest son of the Crown Princess, was also not present; he is currently in prison and whose legal situation continues to attract media attention in Norway.
The anticipation around the case has increased after it became known that the verdict in the trial in which he is accused of rape and violence against several women will be delivered on the morning of next June 15.
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