Norway’s second-in-line to the throne turns 15 on Monday, 21 January 2019.

The Norwegian Royal Court has released a new photo, taken by Julia Naglestad, to mark this special occasion.

According to reports, Princess Ingrid Alexandra will be celebrating her 15th birthday at Skaugum with family and friends.

Destined To Become Norway’s Queen

Princess Ingrid Alexandra, who was born at 9.13 am on 21 January 2004, is expected to become the second Queen Regnant in Norway’s history, after her father’s reign.

The first, Margaret I, reigned from 3 August 1387 to 28 October 1412 over Norway, Denmark and Sweden until her death.

Norway changed its constitution in 1990 to introduce absolute primogeniture, ensuring the crown passed to the Crown Prince’s eldest child, regardless of gender.

So, Princess Ingrid Alexandra’s position in the succession did not change when her younger brother, Sverre Magnus was born on 3 December 2005.

The Norwegian Royal Family is also in the line of succession to the British throne, as they are descended from Edward VII’s daughter, Maud, who married King Haakon VII.

However, her brother Sverre Magnus precedes Princess Ingrid Alexandra due to the male-preference primogeniture which was in place when she was born.

Education

Princess Ingrid Alexandra first attended a day-care centre in Asker, before attending a local state school, Jansløkka Primary School in 2010.

According to a statement from the Royal Court, the Crown Prince Couple wanted their daughter to have a normal childhood as possible and to enjoy some relief from public scrutiny.

Princess Ingrid Alexandra transferred to the private Oslo International School at Bekkestua to start 5th grade in 2014.

Her parents reportedly wanted her daughter to speak English fluently and attend a school with students from many different countries, to help prepare for her future role.

Official Engagements

So far, Princess Ingrid Alexandra has already carried out several official engagements, including regular appearances with her grandparents King Harald V and Queen Sonja and parents on the Royal Palace Balcony on Norway’s National Day on 17 May.

The Princess served as a junior bridesmaid at her godmother Crown Princess Victoria of Sweden’s wedding to Daniel Westling on 19 June 2010 in Stockholm.

On 12 February 2016, Harald V and Princess Ingrid Alexandra played roles during the Winter Youth Olympics’ opening ceremony at Lillehammer.

Read about Princess Ingrid Alexandra’s confirmation service later this year.

Proud Mum’s Instagram Post

Proud mum Crown Princess Mette-Marit shared these delightful photos on Instagram to mark her daughter’s 15th birthday, with the message, ‘Tenk at i dag fyller denne lille, store jenta 15 år. Her med sine aller beste venner….’

English translation: ‘Imagine today, this little big girl celebrates 15 years. Here she is with her very best friends.’