Princess Ingrid Alexandra begins new chapter in Norway after standing by her mother's side

Princess Ingrid Alexandra is beginning a new chapter in her education after returning to Norway to support her mother, Crown Princess Mette-Marit, following her recent life-saving lung transplant.

The 22-year-old future queen is set to start a new semester at the University of Oslo on Monday, August 10, joining the institution as an exchange student while continuing her degree from the University of Sydney in Australia.

The Norwegian Royal Household confirmed that Ingrid Alexandra will study within the Faculty of Social Sciences during the upcoming semester. 

After an initial welcome, she will be treated like any other student on campus, with no media presence permitted during her academic activities.

Ingrid Alexandra returned to Norway in June as concerns grew over the health of her mother, Crown Princess Mette-Marit, who has been living with pulmonary fibrosis, a chronic condition affecting the lungs.

Mette-Marit was placed on the transplant waiting list before undergoing the major operation, which doctors described as a life-changing procedure. 

Professor Are Holm, a respiratory specialist at Oslo University Hospital, previously explained that the transplant list is reserved for patients with severe conditions and limited life expectancy.

Following the successful surgery, the Crown Princess was discharged from hospital and shared her gratitude, saying she had been "given the gift of life." 

Rather than immediately returning to Australia, Ingrid Alexandra chose to remain in Norway during her mother’s recovery, standing alongside Crown Prince Haakon.