Princess Ingrid Alexandra visited the Storting, the Supreme Court and the Prime Minister’s Office on Thursday, 20 January 2022, ahead of her 18th birthday.

The visit marks the formal part of the Princess’ coming of age.

The Princess is following in her father Crown Prince Haakon’s footsteps on 20 July 1991 when visited the three branches of government on his 18th Birthday to learn how the Constitution works and to prepare him for his role as the future king.

He met with former Prime Minister Gro Harlem Brundtland followed by a private discussion in his office.

The visit focused on the separation of powers at the highest level of government into legislative, executive and judicial.

The Storting (Parliament)

President of the Storting (Norwegian parliament), Masud Gharahkhani, welcomed the Princess when she arrived before explaining about the proceedings in the National Assembly, as he gave a guided tour, and spoke about the history of the building.

Princess Ingrid Alexandra also met the First Vice President of the Storting, Svein Harberg, and the youngest member of the parliament, Maren Grøthe, aged 20.

Mr Harberg described the work carried out in the various committees, while Ms Grøthe shared her experience of being a member.

The Supreme Court

Norway’s first female Chief Justice of the Supreme Court Toril Marie Øie and Secretary-General Bente Johanne Kraugerud received Princess Ingrid Alexandra at the Supreme Court.

Princess Ingrid Alexandra met the four Supreme Court Justices before giving a tour and had the chance to see two of the chambers whilst Ms  Øie gave a briefing and a history about the Norwegian judicial system.

Like her father in 1991, Princess Ingrid Alexander sat in the King’s Chair, which is normally reserved for the monarch when he or she visits the Supreme Court.

It is usually kept in the Chief Justice’s office when not in use although, according to Norway Today, she said she has never tried sitting in the chair.

She asked the Princess who assured the Chief Justice that it ‘was very comfortable’.

The Prime Minister’s Office

Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre and Secretary to the Government Anne Nafstad Lyftingsmo welcomed Princess Ingrid Alexandra to the Office of the Prime Minister. The Princess and the Prime Minister then had a private conversation in the office.

Following their conversation, Prime Minister Støre took Princess Ingrid Alexandra to a meeting room where she met Minister of Justice and Public Security Emilie Enger Mehl and several staff members in the Prime Minister’s Office. The Prime Minister explained the work of the Office, while Ms Mehl spoke of her activities as minister.