Princess Ingrid Alexandra received the gift of a Norwegian flag
that has orbited the Earth 56 times as she carries out official
duties while on break from university.
The future queen of Norway has been taking on engagements this
week, including a visit to the Norwegian Space Agency, where she
learned about her country’s astronomical endeavours.
According to the Norwegian Royal
Court, Princess Ingrid Alexandra received a tour of the
facilities and heard how Norway is benefitting from participating
in international space projects that will help the country.
Later, Princess Ingrid Alexandra hosted the first Norwegian
woman in space in an audience and received a very special gift.
On her way inside the Royal Palace, Jannicke Mikkelsen, an
astronaut and cinematographer, told NRK that “The
flag has experienced 16 sunrises and 16 sunsets per day. That’s
what I held when we flew over Norway and Svalbard. Now it’s here in
Oslo and will be given to the princess.”
The future queen also received members of the Norwegian
Reservist Association in audience.
On Monday, she and her father joined the
Institute of Marine Research on a sprat expedition through the Oslo
Fjord, her first official engagement since her studies ended for
the semester at
the University of Sydney.
The future queen told NRK that she was
happy to be back home for the holidays, “I really enjoy
Australia, but then it’s good to be away, but best to be at
home.”
On Wednesday Princess Ingrid Alexandra will attend the Nobel
Peace Prize ceremony for the first time alongside her grandparents,
King Harald and Queen Sonja, and her parents, Crown Prince Haakon
and Crown Princess Mette-Marit. Prior to the Nobel Peace Prize
ceremony, she will accompany her mother to a Save the Children’s
Peace Prize party at the Nobel Centre.
The future queen will also attend a Christmas carol service at
the Palace Chapel next week, and attend a government luncheon
hosted by her grandparents in the days leading up to Christmas.