'Sydney was the right choice for me': Princess Ingrid Alexandra on moving from Norway to Australia for university
Princess Ingrid Alexandra of Norway has given her first major interview to the media and it was done from Sydney, where she is now living as a student.
The princess, 21, who is heir to Norway's throne after her father Crown Prince Haakon, spoke about adjusting to life in Sydney and missing her family in Norway.
She also addressed the coming criminal trial of her half-brother Marius Borg Høiby, who is accused of domestic abuse and rape.
The interview with NRK – Norway's national broadcaster – took place on the grounds of the University of Sydney, where Princess Ingrid Alexandra is now a full-time student.
On life Sydney
"I think Sydney was the right choice for me."
When she arrived earlier this year, the Royal House of Norway shared several photos of the princess on campus and outside the Sydney Opera House.
Part of her interview with NRK saw Princess Ingrid Alexandra return to the famous landmark for a series of photos there and around the Royal Botanic Garden.
But Princess Ingrid Alexandra said she has not done much sight-seeing since moving to Australia.
"I haven't explored as much as I'd like yet, but I've been here for three years," she said.
"I'm enjoying it incredibly well – it's a beautiful city, and there's a lot to discover."
The princess, who is a keen surfer, said she had experienced the waves Down Under.
Her mother, Crown Princess Mette-Marit, spent several parts of the school year at Wangaratta High School in Victoria, living as an exchange student in 1992.
On her future as Queen
The princess is doing a three-year bachelor's degree in social science, specialising in international relations and political economy.
The course will be relevant for her future job as Queen of Norway.
"I definitely think that my education will be very relevant to the job I will do in the future," Princess Ingrid Alexandra said.
"I think it is important to have a basic understanding of the political system, of international relations, and how things work."
The princess will one day make history by becoming Norway's first queen regnant in more than 600 years.
Her move to Sydney is taking the young royal away from official duties for three years.
Her move to Sydney is taking the young royal away from official duties for three years, though she is expected to attend an event here or there when she returns home during semester breaks.
On the media attention
Princess Ingrid Alexandra is trying to live a normal life as possible while in Sydney and said few people recognise her.
Back home she was "so sheltered in Norway" with the press largely leaving her alone.
But the situation in Sydney was a little different, she said.
"I have experienced some paparazzi here, there have been some situations that may seem a little uncomfortable, but fortunately it has calmed down a lot over time."
The princess has been photographed by the paparazzi shopping with friends and she was among the crowds at The Everest race meet in Randwick last month.
Despite her place as second-in-line to the throne, Princess Ingrid Alexandra has only recently begun carrying out regular appearances at public events in Norway.
In April, she joined her parents Crown Prince Haakon and Crown Princess Mette-Marit and King Harald and Queen Sonja for a state banquet inside the royal palace in Oslo hosted for Iceland's visiting presidential couple. It was the first time Princess Ingrid has taken part in such a formal occasion and the highest level of a foreign visit.
Princess Ingrid Alexandra has only recently begun carrying out regular appearances at public events in Norway.
Also that month, the princess completed her military service after spending 15 months as an engineer soldier and rifleman with the Engineer Battalion in Brigade North.
In June, she and her younger brother Prince Sverre Magnus, 19, attended an event for the Red Cross which was their first solo engagement away from their parents and grandparents.
On her mother's poor health
In 2018, Princess Ingrid Alexandra's mother Crown Princess Mette-Marit was diagnosed with pulmonary fibrosis, an incurable disease which has forced her to scale back her official duties.
She stepped back, briefly, from public life in October to undergo lung rehabilitation in an attempt to reduce symptoms and improve Mette-Marit's quality of life after the condition worsened last year.
Princess Ingrid Alexandra said being away from her mother during such a time was "difficult".
Crown Princess Mette-Marit of Norway and Princess Ingrid Alexandra, pictured together in April 2025.
"Mum has had a chronic illness for a long time. But I try to keep in good contact with her, we often talk on the phone."
The princess said her mother wants her to focus on being a student.
"But of course it's hard to be far away."
On missing her family in Norway
In August, Crown Prince Haakon and Crown Princess Mette-Marit made a top secret visit to Australia to help their daughter settle in.
But thing the princess missed most about home was her dog, Molly.
The Princess admitted there's a lot she misses from home, but her grandparents keep in touch.
Her grandparents the King and Queen keep in touch, too, she said.
"Grandma is very good at sending long messages on behalf of both her and Grandpa."
On the Marius Borg Høiby trial
He is accused of 32 crimes including domestic abuse and rape, most of which he denies, and faces 10 years in prison if convicted.
Princess Ingrid Alexandra also spoke briefly about the 'difficult' situation with her brother.
Høiby is the 28-year-old son of Crown Princess Mette-Marit and stepson of the heir to the throne, Crown Prince Haakon. He has no royal title or official duties.
Høiby was a toddler when his mother married into the royal family and he and Princess Ingrid Alexandra, and Prince Sverre Magnus, grew up together.
Princess Ingrid Alexandra was asked about the situation involving her brother.
"Of course it's difficult," she said.
"Both for those of us who are around, for me as a sister and for mum and dad. And of course for everyone affected by the case."
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