Princess Ingrid of Norway, the eldest daughter of Crown Prince Haakon and Mette-Marit, continues her historic official visit across the remote, snow-covered regions of northern Norway. The granddaughter of King Harald V and Queen Sonja has embraced the extreme climate and the breathtaking landscapes of the Arctic Circle, where she has experienced the northern lights firsthand and deepened her understanding of Sami culture.
During this leg of her journey, the Princess has taken part in a variety of activities showcasing the daily life in the region. She traveled by snowmobile across vast white expanses and visited a local school with one of the most extraordinary transportation systems in the country: a school route made up entirely of dog sleds. This unique system is the only one of its kind in Norway and reflects the smarts needed to navigate life in such a remote environment.
In a moment that drew comparisons to the Disney movie "Frozen," Ingrid climbed aboard one of the sleds and rode alongside a student, demonstrating her willingness to fully engage with the local traditions.
The experience highlighted her increasingly hands-on approach to her royal duties, reinforcing the image of a future queen who is adaptable and connected to her country. The contrast was striking, given that Ingrid is set to return shortly to Sydney, Australia, where she is currently pursuing her university studies.
The Princess' respect for indigenous cultures
While traveling near the Russian border, the Princess met with students and held meetings with the local police and a border patrol unit from the Armed Forces, who briefed her on their responsibilities and daily challenges. Her visit continued at the Parlamento Sami, an independent, democratically elected body representing the Sami people. There, Ingrid delivered a speech, emphasizing the importance of recognizing and protecting Indigenous communities.
“I currently study in Sydney, Australia, and I’m home on holiday,” she said. “It’s about 25 degrees there right now, so the temperature difference is quite dramatic. Still, despite the many differences between Australia and Norway, we also share important similarities. One of them is that both countries have Indigenous populations. Indigenous peoples around the world have much in common, and unfortunately, they have endured a great deal of hardship throughout history.”
The trip comes days before her half-brother, Marius Borg, the son of Princess Mette-Marit, is scheduled to appear in court on multiple criminal charges. When asked by the press about the case during her visit, Princess Ingrid declined to comment, stating that the case would be handled by Norway's judicial system.