In the presence of her proud papa, Princess Ingrid Alexandra received her Military Merit Medal as the Norwegian Royal Court shares that her military training will end later this week.
Crown Prince Haakon paid a visit to the Engineer Battalion in Skjold to inspect the soldiers—the first time such an inspection has occurred at the military camp—and watch his daughter and heir complete her first military post.
“It is a bit strange to see dad in such a situation,” the future queen told reporters afterwards, “but it was also very nice and solemn.”
The future queen began her military training in January 2024, ultimately completing 15 months with the Engineer Battalion. Private Alexandra, as she’s known in the military, graduated out of basic training last year and has been serving as a gunner for a majority of her military assignment.
“It will be very nice [to graduate] in one way, but also very sad, because there are many people I have gotten to know well and have grown to love very much,” Princess Ingrid Alexandra said.
She added that learning from different people, learning to cooperate, and learning all of this in relation to learning about yourself has been her biggest takeaway. “I will take that further.”
Before Crown Prince Haakon arrived for his inspection, Princess Ingrid Alexandra and her class of 47 fellow military personnel received the Military Merit Medal from their Battalion Commander, Bjørn Kråkstad.
Following a lunch with the Crown Prince—who is currently serving as regent while King Harald is out of the country on a holiday—Princess Ingrid Alexandra joined her father as they drove around in a CV90 STING vehicle, the kind she has been deployed on as a gunner; later witnessing a demonstration of some armoured vehicles.
Speaking to reporters, Crown Prince Haakon said of his daughter: “I am proud of Ingrid, of course. And I think it was a great opportunity to inspect the Engineer Battalion, but I also think of all the young people who are performing their first service on behalf of all of us to secure our country. They are doing an incredibly good job and an important effort on behalf of all of us.”
On Friday 4 April, Princess Ingrid Alexandra will leave the Norwegian Armed Forces. The royal court did not share details of her future plans, hinting that she could continue on with the military at a later date.
The future queen will take part in her first state visit, when the President of Finland arrives in Oslo next week.
