Princess Ingrid Alexandra of Norway is trading royal palaces for university halls this semester. The 21-year-old future Queen arrived in Australia to begin her Bachelor of Arts studies at the University of Sydney, looking remarkably like any other new student in candid photos released by the Norwegian Royal Palace on July 25th.
In the relaxed snapshots, the Princess wears blue jeans, sneakers, and a simple blue sweater while exploring the Sydney campus – a world away from the tiaras and gowns of state banquets. “I’m looking forward to starting my studies,” she said in an official statement. “It will be exciting to become a student, and I’m looking forward to gaining new perspectives on both European and international politics. I’m sure that I will learn a lot.”
The Palace confirmed in May that Ingrid Alexandra will pursue a three-year degree focused on international relations and political economy. She’ll live in on-campus student housing during her time in Australia, immersing herself in university life.
Her choice to study abroad follows family tradition. Grandfather King Harald, 87, studied at Oxford University in England, while her father, Crown Prince Haakon, attended UC Berkeley and the London School of Economics. The King fully supports her decision, telling Norwegian newspaper VG: “You get this back with compound interest when she gets home… She must be allowed to study and get an education before she starts representing.”
This academic chapter begins just months after the Princess completed 15 months of military service with Norway’s Engineer Battalion in Brigade North – a stark contrast to campus life.
The new photos also highlight a dramatic style shift from her last major public appearance. During French President Emmanuel Macron’s state visit to Norway in June, Ingrid Alexandra wore the historic Princess Ingeborg Diamond Pearl Tiara and a red Vivienne Westwood gown at a Royal Palace gala. The tiara, originally purchased in Paris over a century ago, symbolized her official duties – a role now paused for textbooks and lectures.
As second-in-line to Norway’s throne after her father, Ingrid Alexandra’s Sydney education marks a pivotal step in her preparation to become Europe’s youngest future queen. For now, the palace emphasizes her desire for a typical student experience while gaining global perspectives crucial for her royal destiny.