Princess Ingrid Alexandra to Come Home to Norway
Photo: Heiko Junge / NTB
Princess Ingrid Alexandra is coming home to Norway for a visit from her studies in Sydney. The trip is linked to Crown Princess Mette-Marit's health situation, Crown Prince Haakon said during a press meeting in Tokyo.
Princess Ingrid Alexandra (22) is coming home to Norway from her studies in Sydney, Australia. Crown Prince Haakon shared this during a press meeting in connection with his official visit to Tokyo.
The trip home is linked to the family situation and Crown Princess Mette-Marit's health. The Crown Princess, who suffers from the lung disease chronic pulmonary fibrosis, has become notably worse in recent months. She now uses oxygen daily, and Crown Prince Haakon has previously said that there is no "complete solution" with current treatment.
"She is coming home to visit soon. It has to do with the family situation. She wants to be with her mother," Crown Prince Haakon told the press.
Princess Ingrid Alexandra moved to Sydney in the summer of 2025 to study at the University of Sydney. She is the first heir to the Norwegian throne in modern times to take part of her education in Australia, and according to the Palace she has wanted to experience a more ordinary student life than is possible in Norway.
Although the trip home is happening now, the plan is for the Princess to complete her studies in Australia. The Crown Prince confirmed that she still intends to finish her degree in Sydney, and that this visit to Norway is temporary.
The Crown Prince also commented on the security situation around the Princess. The Norwegian Police Security Service (PST) has recently implemented new security measures after a 63-year-old man was charged with stalking the Princess in Sydney. The man is understood to have come into contact with the Princess on several occasions over time. The Crown Prince declined to go into details about the security work, but stressed that the security authorities have the overall responsibility.
"I don't like talking too much about security. PST has the overall responsibility," the Crown Prince stated.
The press meeting was held in connection with the United Nations University in Tokyo. The Crown Prince is currently on a multi-day official visit to Japan, where topics such as oceans, technology and research are central. He has visited the Shibuya Crossing in Tokyo, met business leaders and taken part in events highlighting cooperation between Norway and Japan in the High North.
The past year has been a difficult one for the Crown Prince's family, with both Queen Sonja and Crown Princess Mette-Marit affected by illness. Princess Ingrid Alexandra's visit home will therefore be an important time for the family, while the Palace emphasises that she herself wishes to complete her studies in Australia when circumstances allow.