Crown Princess Mette-Marit marks special milestone amid difficult time for Norwegian royal family

Crown Princess Mette-Marit is marking a special milestone during an emotional week for the Norwegian royal family.

The Norwegian Royal House celebrated the Crown Princess' 53rd birthday on Wednesday, August 19, by sharing a rare family portrait featuring Mette-Marit alongside her husband, Crown Prince Haakon, and their children, Princess Ingrid Alexandra and Prince Sverre Magnus.

© Rune Hellestad - Corbis

"Today, 19 August 2026 Her Royal Highness Crown Princess Mette-Marit celebrates her 53rd birthday. Congratulations!" the Royal House announced, adding that the birthday would be "celebrated privately."

The portrait, which was taken earlier this year, shows the family of four posing together inside the Royal Palace in Oslo. Mette-Marit stands beside Haakon, while Ingrid Alexandra and Sverre Magnus flank their parents.

© Det kongelige hoff

According to reports, the photograph was taken in April during a reception for Norwegian athletes who had competed at the Paralympic Games. Its release offers a rare new glimpse of the Crown Prince's family together at a particularly significant moment for the Norwegian monarchy.

A birthday amid King Harald's hospitalization:

Mette-Marit's birthday comes just days after King Harald, 89, was admitted to Rikshospitalet in Oslo following a medical examination.

© Anne-Marie Forker

The Royal House announced on August 17 that the monarch had been receiving cortisone treatment for hemolytic anemia in recent weeks. According to the palace, the treatment resulted in fluid accumulation that required hospital care.

King Harald has subsequently been placed on sick leave for two weeks. During his absence, Crown Prince Haakon is serving as regent, temporarily carrying out the monarch's constitutional duties.

© Per Ole Hagen

The hospitalization also prompted a deeply personal appearance from Mette-Marit. The Crown Princess, who is continuing her recovery following a lung transplant, joined Haakon for a visit to King Harald at the hospital.

The outing marked a rare appearance for Mette-Marit during her recovery and came just one day before the Royal House publicly celebrated her birthday.

A meaningful family moment:

The newly released portrait also puts Princess Ingrid Alexandra and Prince Sverre Magnus back in the spotlight alongside their parents.

© LISE ASERUD

Ingrid, 22, stands beside her father in the photograph, while her younger brother, Sverre Magnus, 20, poses on the opposite side of Mette-Marit.

The relaxed family image is notably different from the formal portraits traditionally associated with major royal occasions.

© Per Ole Hagen

The birthday comes during an eventful period for the family, with Haakon assuming the role of regent while his father receives treatment and Mette-Marit continuing her own recovery.

For now, however, the Crown Princess appears to be keeping the milestone low-key. Rather than announcing public birthday engagements, the palace confirmed that Mette-Marit will spend her 53rd birthday privately, while sharing the family portrait to commemorate the occasion.