Norwegian princess makes first official public appearance in Sydney

Norway’s Princess Ingrid Alexandra has shed her anonymous student life to make her first official public appearance in Australia since becoming a University of Sydney student last year.

In Oslo, Norway’s national day is usually marked by a parade of schoolchildren who march past the palace, where the royal family watch on and wave. This year, the princess spent her first May 17 away from the family, instead making her rare public appearance in Surry Hills.

The 22-year-old has kept a low profile during her time studying politics and international relations in Sydney, far away from the scandal plaguing her family back home in Norway, where her half-brother faces trial on rape charges and her mother, the Crown Princess, was caught up in the Epstein files.

On Sunday Ingrid Alexandra led a march of a few hundred around Harmony Park, a much smaller version of the traditional parade in Oslo. The Norwegian ambassador read out a message from the King and Queen acknowledging the special celebration in Sydney, giving an extra greeting to the princess who watched on alongside NSW Government Margaret Beazley.

After the parade, crowds swarmed around the princess as children patiently waited for their chance to meet the future queen.

One lucky nine-year-old girl who was able to speak with the princess, Embla Brynildsen, was wearing a 90-year-old traditional bunad dress, passed down through generations of her family. The princess asked the young girl about her interest in sport and school.

For most, it was their first in-person glimpse of Ingrid Alexandra, despite the princess living at St Andrews College on the University of Sydney campus in Camperdown since August last year.

Norwegians who spoke to the Herald at the event said the day was about celebrating the constitution, and few would answer questions about their thoughts on the struggles facing the royal family.

One attendee, Britt Ekrol, said the day was about unity, showing off proud Norwegian culture, and enjoying the traditional cakes.

“I think people still support the royal family,” Ekrol said. “I think it’s a day where we stand together and show support for each other.”

Ingrid Alexandra’s half-brother Marius Borg Høiby, who is not in line to the throne, faces serious charges including rape and physical abuse against multiple women. He denies the charges, but has admitted to some drug use and violence.

While the family waits the outcome of this trial, due next month, Høiby and Ingrid Alexandra’s mother Crown Princess Mette-Marit is facing her own scandal after friendly email exchanges with Jeffrey Epstein were revealed by the US Department of Justice.

While she isn’t accused of any wrongdoing, the warm nature of her relationship with Epstein which included staying at his Florida home, has many Norwegians uneasy. Mette-Marit told NKR she was manipulated and deceived by Epstein.