Princess Ingrid Alexandra, second in line to the Norwegian throne, will soon begin a new chapter far from home.
The Royal Palace has announced that the 21-year-old royal will move to Australia later this year to pursue higher education at the University of Sydney.
Starting in August, she will enrol in a three-year bachelor’s degree in social sciences with a specialisation in international relations and political economy. She will live in student accommodation on campus and study full-time.
According to a statement from the Palace, Princess Ingrid Alexandra is looking forward to focusing on her studies in the years to come.
Her decision continues the royal tradition of studying abroad, while also marking a break from previous generations’ choices of academic destinations.
While her father, Crown Prince Haakon, studied in the United States and the United Kingdom, and her grandfather King Harald studied at Oxford, Princess Ingrid Alexandra will be the first in the royal family to attend university in Australia.
A Strategic and Personal Choice
The choice of international relations as a field of study aligns with the responsibilities the princess is expected to take on in the future. Royal commentators have pointed out that the degree reflects her future role as head of state, emphasising global awareness and political understanding.
Her interest in Australia is also personal. A keen surfer, the princess is expected to take advantage of the country’s world-famous beaches.
She previously took part in a surfing course as a confirmation gift and went on to win a national surfing title in her age group, albeit jokingly noting there were few competitors.
The decision to study in Australia may also have been influenced by her mother. Crown Princess Mette-Marit spent a year as an exchange student in Australia as a teenager and has spoken warmly of the experience.
Costs Covered by the State
The princess’s education will be publicly funded, covered under the existing royal household budget. The Royal Court confirmed that this is because her university education is considered part of her official role.
An annual cap of NOK 500,000 has been set for tuition and living costs, with any additional expenses to be paid privately by Crown Prince Haakon and Crown Princess Mette-Marit.
The University of Sydney, ranked among the top institutions in Australia, welcomed the news with enthusiasm.
“We are very glad that Her Royal Highness has chosen to study here,” said Vice-President Kirsten Andrews in a statement. “We look forward to helping her settle into campus life and make the most of her time in Sydney.”
From the Army to Academia
Princess Ingrid Alexandra recently completed 15 months of military service in Northern Norway. Serving as a gunner on a CV90 combat vehicle, she was part of the Engineer Battalion at Skjold Camp.
She received the Norwegian Armed Forces’ proficiency medal upon completing her service in April.
Following her military duties, she joined the royal family at official events including the Norwegian Constitution Day celebrations and her first state visit during the recent visit of the President of Iceland.
Despite increasing public interest in her role, the Palace has made clear that her main focus over the next few years will be education, not royal engagements.
Speaking at the end of 2023, Crown Princess Mette-Marit said, “We all need to be patient. Now her main responsibility is to be in the military. After that, a longer study path awaits.”
With her academic journey now confirmed, the future queen will soon begin a new phase of life—one that combines royal responsibility with global perspective, and perhaps a few waves along the way.
