– How will it go, says Crown Prince Haakon and turns to his wife, Crown Princess Mette-Marit. They still share the home at Skaugum with both dog and child – to the crown prince couple’s great joy. – It is such a great blessing to have teenagers in the house. To be able to be in their lives, to follow them and their friends in everything they are in, and all the discussions we have… So much we learn from them every single day, says Crown Princess Mette-Marit to news’s Year with the Royal Family. – I feel so lucky to be allowed to be so close to them, and I’m dreading them leaving the house soon! Shortly after Princess Ingrid Alexandra finishes high school in the summer, both the Crown Prince and Crown Princess will turn 50. – It’s very nice, the thing about us who are soon to be 50, getting the young perspective from our children on a daily basis. It is very valuable, and it is fun, says Crown Prince Haakon. – What will it be like when they move out? – It will probably be a bit empty, then, says the crown prince. – A little?! exclaims Crown Princess Mette-Marit. – For our part, it’s not too long either. Because Magnus and Ingrid are almost two years apart in age, but Magnus is only one year behind at school, adds the crown prince. news met the crown prince couple at home in Skaugum just before Christmas. Photo: Eskil Wie Furunes / news – We are so proud of Ingrid Prince Sverre Magnus was born in December 2005 and is now in the 2nd year of high school, the step under older sister Princess Ingrid Alexandra, who was born in January 2004 and came of age this year . An heir to the throne’s official day is not quite like most 18th birthdays. The day before her 18th birthday, Princess Ingrid Alexandra visited the Storting, the Prime Minister’s office and the Supreme Court. A kind of study tour with the state authorities for her, who is the country’s future head of state. The princess gave her first major, personal interviews and was celebrated later in the year with a government dinner at Deichman and a magnificent gala dinner at the Palace. – It was just wonderful with that bowl. We think we were quite right, says Crown Princess Mette-Marit of her daughter’s resounding “Cheers!” in the castle. Photo: Håkon Mosvold Larsen / NTB – We are so proud of Ingrid! One of the things we have talked about is that she was so very herself. We were so proud that she managed to be the way she is, both in the interviews and the way she met people, says Crown Princess Mette-Marit. – Yes, even when she visited the Storting and things like that. It’s quite heavy stuff, it’s a journey in the principle of distribution of power. But she was like 18 years old when she was around that too, says the crown prince. When Princess Ingrid Alexandra signed the guest protocol at the Storting, the heir to the throne signed with her name and a heart. – It was so beautiful when she wrote “Ingrid” in the Storting and such heart. I thought that was so incredible though, says mother Crown Princess Mette-Marit. Princess Ingrid Alexandra signed with her name and a heart at the Storting. Photo: TV 2 Impressed by daughter’s fighter flight When Princess Ingrid Alexandra one day becomes Queen of Norway, she will also become Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces. “Dream days” in the Army, Navy and Air Force were the gift from the Armed Forces when the princess turned 18 in January. She tried both tanks, shooting and evacuating a wounded soldier when she visited the Army at Setermoen camp in Indre Troms this autumn. A year ago, the princess became one of the last in Norway to fly the F-16 fighter jet, before the aircraft type was phased out after 40 years in service for Norway. She controlled the levers herself for parts of the trip. Saw the kingdom from the air. Princess Ingrid Alexandra gets ready to fly the F-16 in Bodø last December. Photo: Benjamin Fredriksen / news – She has always been very tough and fearless and has thrown herself into every challenge. So it was quite natural, she’s always been like that. But we think it’s really fun that she dares, says Crown Princess Mette-Marit. – Especially the fighter plane experience. It was quite impressive. Currently, it is not known whether Princess Ingrid Alexandra will join the military after high school. What is clear is that she will no longer represent the royal house to any particular extent now that she is of age. – For now, she is in an education course and will be allowed to focus on that. So she will not have very many official assignments in the next few years, says Crown Prince Haakon. Crown Prince Haakon and Crown Princess Mette-Marit both turn 50 next year, he in July and she in August. Photo: Eskil Wie Furunes / news Increased responsibility for the crown prince: – My father and mother are good at letting me in. He himself is increasingly given more responsibility and more assignments for the royal house. – To what extent is a generational change underway? – The long lines are such that one generation follows the next, so we’ve kind of planned for that all along the way. But I think my father and mother are good at letting me go and taking me along, so that it becomes a natural way to do it, says the crown prince. – And then I have to say that they are still incredibly active, so I am very impressed that they are able to keep up the pace they are doing. And I think it’s nice to be able to do my part too.
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