Ingrid of Norway, the 'hipster princess' connected to Felipe VI: her bond with Zarzuela

Princess Ingrid Alexandra of Norway (Oslo, 2004) has reappeared at a gala dinner held for the State visit of the President of Iceland to Oslo. The future queen of the Nordic country has increased her institutional agenda, and she is very close to the Spanish royal family. In particular, to King Felipe VI (Madrid, 1968), who is her godfather.

The young woman is one of the "heiresses" who make up the new royal generation and is one of the most highly regarded princesses in all of Europe. But what is the story of Princess Ingrid of Norway?

The story of Princess Ingrid of Norway

Ingrid Alexandra of Norway was born on January 21, 2004, at the National Hospital of the Kingdom, in Oslo (Norway). She is the firstborn of the crown prince and princess, Haakon Magnus and Mette-Marit. A year later, the couple expanded the family with the arrival of Prince Sverre Magnus.

It should be noted that the princes have another brother named Marius Borg. He is the result of Mette Marit's relationship with businessman and financial analyst Morten Borg.

Ingrid's birth marked a turning point for the future of the monarchy in the Nordic country. Since her birth, she has been a symbol of a new generation of royalty: closer, more modern, and aware of global challenges.

The firstborn of Prince Haakon Magnus has been a pioneering figure in Norway's royal family. Ingrid was the first member of Norwegian royalty to attend a public school. Specifically, Uranienborg School.

This circumstance was highly praised by the Nordic people, as it was seen as a gesture of normalization and closeness to the citizens.

The princess continued her studies at institutions such as the prestigious private Oslo International School. She also attended Elvebakken Upper Secondary School in Oslo, where she graduated in May 2023. After finishing her studies at Elvebakken, she began working as a school assistant at the same elementary school she attended as a child.

Like other royals such as Princess Amalia of the Netherlands,  Leonor de Borbón, or Elisabeth of Belgium, Ingrid of Norway has received military training. She took on this responsibility at the Skjold camp in the north of the country.

At just 20 years old, she already holds the rank of engineer soldier, serving as a gunner in a CV90 STING vehicle. Currently, after completing her military career, there are still some questions about the princess's educational future. However, everything suggests that, like her father, Ingrid will head to the United States to begin her university studies.

The bond between Ingrid of Norway and the Spanish royal family

Norway's royal family is one of the most beloved on the international royal scene. The good relationship that Haakon and Mette Marit keep with other members of royal houses is well known. Such as the Danish, Dutch, Swedish, and also the Spanish ones.

This close bond became visible at Princess Ingrid Alexandra's christening in April 2004. It took place at Slottskapellet, the chapel of the Royal Palace in Oslo. Her godparents were her paternal grandfather, King Harald V, her aunt, Princess Martha Louise of Norway, her maternal grandmother Marit Tjessem, and Princess Victoria of Sweden. Also, Kings Frederik X and Felipe VI,  who could not attend the christening due to scheduling conflicts.

Almost two decades after Princess Ingrid's christening, Felipe VI did attend the celebration held at the Royal Palace of Norway for his goddaughter's 18th birthday. The son of Juan Carlos I arrived accompanied by Princess Amalia of the Netherlands, the eldest daughter of King Willem-Alexander and Queen Máxima.

However, the relationship between the Spanish and Norwegian royal families goes back many years. Specifically, to the 1950s. At that time, King Harald V, then crown prince of Norway, took part in one of the cruises organized by Queen Frederica of Greece aboard the yacht Agamemnon.

That cruise brought together various members of European royalty, including Princess Sophia of Greece. Both met again in 1958 during a trip the Greek royal family made to the Nordic country. The good rapport between the princes was evident. Queen Frederica took advantage of this situation to invite the Norwegian prince to spend a few days on the Greek island of Corfu.

Rumors about a marriage engagement between Doña Sophia and Harald did not cease. However, the reality was very different. The romantic relationship was never made official. Nor was the engagement. The Norwegian prince fell madly in love with a seamstress named Sonia Haraldsen, whom he married in 1968. Meanwhile, in 1962, Princess Sophia sealed her story with then-Prince Juan Carlos.

However, it is said that the good rapport between both couples endured over time. On numerous occasions, the Norwegian monarchs have stayed at Marivent Palace. In Palma de Mallorca, King Harald has enjoyed one of his greatest passions: sailing.

The Spanish royal family has been present at some of the most significant events of the Norwegian royal house. In 2002, Queen Sophia attended Prince Haakon Magnus's wedding with her son Felipe VI.

That wedding was surrounded by controversy since, at that time, Juan Carlos I's son was in a relationship with the Norwegian model Eva Saanum. Both attended the wedding, which was marked by the "daring neckline" worn by the top model.

Two years later, the entire Norwegian royal family traveled to Madrid to attend the wedding of Prince Felipe and Doña Letizia. According to the media at the time, the crown princes traveled to the capital with Princess Ingrid Alexandra. However, King Harald's granddaughter did not attend the wedding since she was only five months old.

Princess Ingrid Alexandra's institutional commitment

Since her childhood, Princess Ingrid Alexandra has shown a strong commitment to the monarchical institution. In 2014, she made her debut at an official event alongside her father and grandfather in the Norwegian Parliament.

Since then, the future monarch has had an increasingly active presence. In 2016, she lit the Olympic flame during the Youth Olympic Games in Norway. That same year, the Princess Ingrid Alexandra Sculpture Park was inaugurated, a children's space with sculptures selected by her.

She has also been the godmother of important Norwegian vessels, such as the lifeboat "Elias" and the research vessel "Kronprins Haakon." At the christening of the latter, she expressed her concern about climate change and the importance of better understanding the oceans and polar regions.

The "hipster princess"

Far from palace walls and protocol, it is said that Princess Ingrid Alexandra is a great sports enthusiast. Her favorite disciplines include surfing and running. She regularly practices skiing and kickboxing.

Art is another of her great passions. In particular, street art, and she is a big follower of hipster culture. Currently, the princess lives in an apartment located in the Grünerlokka neighborhood. This district is one of the most modern in the Norwegian capital.

Like other "royals," Princess Ingrid Alexandra is considered one of the best-dressed "heiresses." Her wardrobe includes not only gala dresses and tiaras, but also items such as blazers, jeans, wool coats, or high boots.

Princess Ingrid Alexandra's personal life has also made it into the pages of the gossip press. In particular, because of her relationship with Magnus Heien Haugstad. They began their relationship in 2021. However, it was not until 2022 that their relationship was made official during the celebration of the princess's 18th birthday. Like her love story, their breakup in 2023 has been marked by discretion.

This quality is also part of Princess Ingrid's personality, the "symbol" of the future of the Norwegian monarchy.