Norway’s Princess Ingrid Alexandra has temporarily paused her studies at Sydney University to return to Norway as her mother’s health declines. The 22-year-old, who relocated to Australia in July 2025, is expected to be back in Norway “soon,” according to Crown Prince Haakon, her father, who confirmed the news on Monday.
“It has to do with the family situation. She wants to be with her mother,” the heir apparent told Norwegian media while on a state visit in Japan.
Ingrid Alexandra’s mother, Crown Princess Mette-Marit, has been living with a chronic lung condition and is currently being evaluated for a transplant. Recent developments have shown a faster decline in her health than medical professionals had anticipated.
The Norwegian Royal House has not made any official statements regarding the princess’s return to Norway or provided a timeline for her absence. Nine.com.au has reached out to the palace for further information.
Haakon mentioned that his daughter, who is pursuing a Bachelor of Arts degree focusing on politics and international relations at Sydney University, “has plans to complete her studies in Australia.” However, he added, “But how long she will stay home, we will have to come back to that.”
The Crown Prince also cut short his state visit to return to his wife. Mette-Marit was diagnosed with pulmonary cystic fibrosis in 2018 and has recently been seen wearing a nasal breathing tube connected to an oxygen tank during public engagements.
Last week, Haakon shared with the media, “The Crown Princess is seriously ill, and I think she has gotten a little worse lately, so I am worried about her health.”
This news follows a recent incident involving a 63-year-old Sydney man who was issued with an Apprehended Violence Order (AVO) this week, accused of stalking Princess Ingrid Alexandra. A suspicious letter was reportedly sent to the young royal and was intercepted by her security team at St Andrew’s College, where she resides.
A Glebe man has been issued with an AVO and is set to appear in court on Wednesday.
During her first-ever interview with Norwegian media, given from Sydney University in November, Princess Ingrid Alexandra admitted she had been “so sheltered” in Norway. Despite her position as the eventual heir to the Norwegian throne, the princess began participating in regular public appearances in Norway in mid-2025.
Ingrid Alexandra made her first public appearance in Australia on May 17, joining Sydney’s Norwegian community in celebrating its national day, Constitution Day.
