Norway's new 'down-to-earth' heir: Princess Ingrid - dubbed the 'saving grace' of a monarchy in crisis - mirrors her grandmother's sombre appearance three decades ago as she becomes first Queen-to-be in 600 years

Princess Ingrid Alexandra has stepped into a historic new role as heir to the Norwegian throne - and appeared to pay a touching tribute to her grandmother as she stood alongside her father at his swearing-in ceremony.The 22-year-old Crown Princess joined King Haakon VIII as he formally took his Oath of Allegiance to Norway's Constitution before the Storting, the country's parliament, on Tuesday.The ceremony came just four days after Haakon's father, King Harald V, died aged 89, automatically making his son the new monarch.But while the King took his oath, Ingrid Alexandra also marked an important moment of her own, submitting a written declaration pledging to follow the Constitution and laws if she is ever required to rule in her father's place.This declaration means she can step in as regent when her father is travelling, unable to carry out his duties or otherwise unavailable.The occasion also saw the young royal make a subtle nod to her grandmother, Queen Sonja, with her choice of sombre outfit.Princess Ingrid has been dubbed by some as the 'saving grace' of a monarchy in crisis following her mother's links to Epstein and her half-brother's conviction for two counts of rape.Queen Mette-Marit's eldest son, Marius Borg Høiby, 29, from a previous relationship, is currently serving a four-year prison sentence under house arrest at his parents' Skaugum Estate while he appeals his conviction for two counts of rape. Pictured: Crown Princess Ingrid Alexandra of Norway (R) sits next to her father King Haakon VIII of Norway during an oath-taking ceremony for the new king to Norway's constitution in the main chamber of the Norwegian Parliament, the Storting, in Oslo on September 1, 2026Ingrid's outfit may have looked understated, but it bore a striking resemblance to the one Queen Sonja wore 35 years ago when she attended the proclamation of her husband, then Crown Prince Harald, as King following the death of King Olav V in 1991And, between the recent passing of King Harald and the health battles of its leading women, the Norwegian royal family is facing a critical shortage of working members.Consequently, the country is now looking to Ingrid Alexandra to guide the Norwegian monarchy, with Tatler labeling the young royal as the family's 'saving grace.'In late January, after returning from university in Australia to a family facing scandal and tragedy, Princess Ingrid toured Karasjok and Kirkenes to connect with the people of Finnmark in Northern Norway. The next day, she made a landmark royal appearance at Oslo City Hall for the Nobel Peace Prize ceremony. Joining her parents and grandparents, she watched Ana Corina Sosa accept the award for her mother, Venezuelan opposition leader María Corina Machado. This sequence of high-profile events highlights the Crown Princess's coming-of-age. Months later, as her father is sworn into office, her appearance closely mirrors her grandmother's at her grandfather's proclamation three decades earlier. At the ceremony, Ingrid donned a simple, floor-length black mourning dress with a high neckline and long sleeves, paired with a black headpiece and matching veil.Her outfit may have looked understated, but it bore a striking resemblance to the one Queen Sonja wore 35 years ago when she attended the proclamation of her husband, then Crown Prince Harald, as King following the death of King Olav V in 1991. Sonja also opted for a classic black dress for the sombre occasion, pairing it with a structured black pillbox hat and traditional veil.While Ingrid's look was a more modern take on the outfit, the similarities stood as a touching reminder of the changing generations of the Norwegian Royal Family - as she now takes on the role her father once held.Her new position is monumental for a number of reasons. She is the first Norwegian heir in modern royal history to already be an adult when parent becomes a monarch. Both her father and grandfather were under 18 when they first became first in line to the throne after their fathers became King, meaning they had to take their oaths when they turned 18.Ingrid Alexandria is also the first member of the Norwegian Royal Family directly affected by the country's 1990 succession law changes, as reported by People. Pictured: Queen Mette-Marit of Norway (R) and daughter Princess Ingrid Alexandra of Norway in Asker, soutwest of Oslo, on May 17, 2025 Due to a succession law change that was introduced in Norway in 1990, Ingrid has stayed ahead of her younger brother, 20-year-old Prince Sverre Magnus (pictured), in the line of succession Pictured: Queen Mette-Marit of Norway (L), Princess Ingrid Alexandra of Norway (C) and King Haakon of Norway sit during a memorial service on 22 July 2021, on Utoya, Norway, ten years after a right-wing extremist killed 77 people in twin attacks Despite her increasingly important position within the Norwegian monarchy, Ingrid Alexandra has been following a relatively normal path for a future Queen. She recently started a new semester at the University of Oslo after transferring from the University of Sydney Pictured: Ingrid Alexandra visits Langerudhjemmet nursing home on December 17, 2025 in Oslo, Norway. Pictured: Queen Sonja of Norway, Crown Princess Ingrid Alexandra of Norway, Catherine, Princess of Wales, Prince William, Prince of Wales, Queen Mette-Marit of Norway and King Haakon of Norway visit the Princess Ingrid Alexandra Sculpture Park in February 2018 The reform introduced absolute primogeniture, meaning the eldest child inherits the throne regardless of whether they are a boy or a girl. As a result, Ingrid stayed ahead of her younger brother, 20-year-old Prince Sverre Magnus, in the line of succession. Her father, meanwhile, remained ahead of his elder sister, Princess Märtha Louise, because the new rules did not apply to people born before the law was changed. Queen Mette-Marit's eldest son, Marius Borg Høiby, 29, from a previous relationship, is also not part of the line of succession. He is currently serving a four-year prison sentence under house arrest at his parents' Skaugum Estate while he appeals his conviction for two counts of rape.If Ingrid Alexandra eventually becomes Queen, she will be Norway's first reigning female monarch in more than 600 years. The country's last female ruler was Queen Margaret, who reigned from 1388 until 1412. And the young Crown Princess is already becoming part of a new generation of female heirs across Europe. Ingrid is understood to be close to Princess Elisabeth of Belgium and Princess Catharina-Amalia of the Netherlands, who are also heirs apparent. The three women have previously been reported to share a WhatsApp group.In an interview Tatler earlier this year, Princess Elisabeth said: 'We've known each other for a long time and see each other occasionally at events. 'In my generation, there are several women. You see a similar shift in other monarchies. We are all in the same situation. It's a hurdle we will face together.' Pictured: The Crown Princess seen for the first time since her enrolment in Sydney in July 2025, lugging a box of wine back to her student digs, casually dressed and wearing a simple name tag that read "Ingrid" If Ingrid Alexandra eventually becomes Queen, she will be Norway's first reigning female monarch in more than 600 yearsYet, despite her increasingly important position within the Norwegian monarchy, Ingrid Alexandra has been following a relatively normal path and has been called refreshingly down-to-earth for a future Queen. She recently started a new semester at the University of Oslo after transferring from the University of Sydney, where she had been studying for a three-year bachelor's degree focused on international relations and political economy.During her first year, she typically introduced herself simply as 'Ingrid' to feel like a normal student. Prior to her enrollment, the Royal Household's full statement from Ingrid Alexandra read: 'I'm looking forward to starting my studies at the University of Sydney.'It will be exciting to become a student, and I'm looking forward to gaining new perspectives on both European and international politics. I'm sure that I will learn a lot.'However, the Princess returned to Norway earlier this year, leaving her studies in Australia so she could be closer to her family in the wake of her mother's serious health problems.Queen Mette-Marit, 53, who was diagnosed with chronic pulmonary fibrosis in 2018, underwent a lung transplant in June.The condition had previously seen her use a nasal cannula, or oxygen tube, at some public appearances.She was unable to attend Tuesday's historic ceremony after suffering complications following the transplant.As reported by People, a pulmonologist from Norway's National Hospital said on the day: 'It is not uncommon for complications to occur after a lung transplant. The Queen has had complications on some occasions since the operation, including today. As a result, the Queen must be observed throughout the day.' Ingrid Alexandra has instead remained close to her father and grandmother during the royal family's period of mourning following King Harald's death.She has attended several events honouring her grandfather since his death on August 28.His state funeral will take place in Oslo on September 9, when the young Crown Princess will take another highly visible step into her future role as Norway's Queen-in-waiting.