Princess Ingrid Alexandra’s gala dinner: – The contrasts are great

On Friday night, celebrities and the royals of Europe gathered at the castle in Oslo on the occasion of Princess Ingrid Alexandra’s 18th birthday celebration.

The plan was for a gala dinner, and during the dinner, of course, speeches will be given.

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But before the speech starts, it is Queen Sonja (84) who takes the floor to welcome everyone.

– Finally, yes finally, we get to celebrate this young lady, the queen begins.

Tributes to the grandson

– Dear Ingrid, during your 18 years you have shown who you are – and shown several talents: You love water sports. You are good at skiing. You also love school, and you love being with friends and family. You are a real tough guy – who is neither afraid to parachute nor to say your opinion. The latter will come in especially handy, I promise you!

– Should have gone for Norwegian design

The grandmother further describes the jubilee as wise, warm and knowledgeable.

– And you care – as I also said in your confirmation speech – both for people, animals and nature.

– Not a goal to be perfect

She also acknowledges that there is a big task ahead of the 18-year-old, who is number two in the line of succession.

– Fate has given you great tasks, dear Ingrid. But on the way there, you have to seize the opportunities that come with both hands – to be able to create your own solid platform. Everything you can absorb from impressions, lessons and experience will benefit you later in life.

– Right now you are in the middle of the most explosive, flourishing youth. Soon you will enter the last year of school, and have the Russian time ahead of you. Yes, the contrasts in your life are great!

Misspelled princess name

Finally, Queen Sonja gives advice to the princess:

– Hold on to who you are, Ingrid. Dare to think new and open; to do things your own way. And remember, being perfect is not an end in itself. You have all the prerequisites to make wise choices and have a life that is good for you, your loved ones and those you will one day be queen of.

See and Hear royal house expert Caroline Vagle says that Queen Sonja welcomed just as she did in the princess’ confirmation in 2019.

– She described her granddaughter warmly with words like wise, knowledgeable and a real tough guy. There is little doubt that the queen is proud of her granddaughter and believes that she will cope with her role in the best way. She also gave advice along the way that she herself received from her mother Dagny Haraldsen: It does not depend on how you feel, but how you take it !, she adds.

– Committed young lady

The one who then clinks the glass and gets up is King Harald (85), the jubilant’s grandfather. He has written down some well-chosen words for the granddaughter on the occasion of her big celebration.

The princess turned one already in January, and the 18th anniversary was marked even then. The king, on the other hand, has no problem with two holidays.

– Actually, it was nice to celebrate you twice – so we got peace to digest everything that happened in connection with your authority day in January. For the first time you were a minister, fortunately without a veto – since you never know what can come from such a committed young lady as you.

– This festive day in January, I really felt the strength and security that relatives should follow the family’s course. But you will probably have to put up with me a little longer, he jokes further.

– Do not forget to play

The king says that he understands well that it can be scary to step into a role like the 18-year-old will do when she takes over the throne sometime in the future. For that he has good advice.

– I have said it to you several times, but a grandfather is allowed to repeat his most important piece of advice over and over again: Be yourself. And trust that it is enough – always.

However, he emphasizes that the princess must treat herself to being young.

– But this is according to the plan another good while. I am glad that you have so far been able to develop in freedom and security – and be young with everything that belongs to this phase of life. And since the task you have been given will last a lifetime, it is important that you take plenty of time for schooling and education. You still have to spend many years on this. And do not forget to play. At least I have good experience with that. I play, as you know, most and best at sea. And luckily you thrive there too.

Finally, the king brings a toast to the jubilee.

– Dear Ingrid. Thank you for letting us follow you. I love you very much, and wish you all the best for the future. Happy Birthday.

The royal house expert recognizes the king’s warm and warm style in the speech, which always contains humor.

He joked, among other things, that it was good that she did not have a veto when she visited the Minister in January, and pointed out that she is a certain young lady. He advised her to always be herself, and advised her never to stop playing. Warm and good advice from a proud grandfather, says Vagle.

– The two have a very special relationship, and Ingrid has said that no one makes her laugh like a grandfather. After the speech, she hugged him lovingly, and he kissed her on the forehead. A touching moment between the two !, she concludes.

Read the speeches in full here.

Grandmother Marit Tjessem also spoke for the princess during the dinner. In her speech, she came up with an ever so small “pancake revelation”:

– There have been many pancakes over the years. I asked Sverre Magnus some time ago: “Do you not miss Grandma’s pancakes?” “No, they’re making Ingrid now!” was the answer.

– Thank you for all the joy you have given me all these years. It has been a gift to spend so much time with you, Tjessem said in the speech, and added:

– You’re an extraordinarily beautiful girl, Ingrid! You are sporty, good at working on homework and other projects you are responsible for. You have impressively tackled the role of ordinary girl and princess, and I think you have both the qualities and the personality needed to fill your role in the future. I hope you will find joy in the work you are to do, strength to meet the challenges that await you – and that you maintain your curiosity, your warmth and your care for others. And that above all, you must continue to stand firm in yourself.