Princess Ingrid Alexandra celebrates her 18th birthday

Princess Ingrid Alexandra’s official day will be celebrated two days to the end. Durek Verrett made his first official appearance, when he accompanied Princess Märtha to a government dinner on Thursday night.

After a little over a week as engaged, Märtha Louise and Durek Verrett were present at the celebration of Princess Ingrid Alexandra’s 18th birthday.

To music from corps and choir, the newly engaged couple came on the red carpet. Durek Verrett deeply greeted Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre and Oslo Mayor Marianne Borgen. The crowd and the photographers shouted at Durek. The couple smiled and waved, before entering.

Then came the main character herself, Princess Ingrid Alexandra and the rest of the royal family.

This was the government’s gift to the upcoming heir to the throne, a gala dinner with over 200 specially invited guests and performances from several famous artists.

The official day was January 21, but the pandemic has postponed the celebration by several months.

The dinner was held at Deichman library in Bjørvika in Oslo.

As early as 5 pm, the first guests began to arrive at the party. They were greeted with corps tones and red carpet.

Public debut for Durek Verrett

For Märtha Louise and Durek Verrett, this is the first time they have appeared in public since their engagement was announced on 7 June. It is also the first time Verrett accompanies Princess Märtha to an official event.

According to royal house expert and historian Trond Norén Isaksen, it is common to be invited to official events when you are engaged to someone in the royal family.

But he did not hope that Verrett’s participation in Oslo would overshadow the celebration.

– Considering all the media interest surrounding the engagement last week, I am afraid that his presence could overshadow Princess Ingrid Alexandra, Norén Isaksen said before the party.

He thought it would be a shame if the focus was not on the country’s future head of state and her day of authority.

– Historical

On the day of government in January, Princess Ingrid Alexandra and her grandfather King Harald were in government. Here she met the Prime Minister and the government.

In her speech to Ingrid Alexandra, Prime Minister Støre referred to when the princess was born.

– When you were born on a cold January day 18 years ago, your proud father told you that you were the most beautiful and beautiful girl in the world, the Prime Minister said.

– It is not uncommon for proud fathers to use such words about their newborn child. But unlike all the other beautiful and fine children born on January 21, 2004, your birth was top news, he said, pointing out that Ingrid Alexandra was born as the first female heir to the throne in the kingdom’s history.

– Now you have passed 18 years and are of age. It is historic, said the Prime Minister.

Støre also advised the princess to be who she is and defend the ordinary.

– You stand out as an ordinary, unusual girl, Støre said.

Thanks to the guests

On the guest list were young people from all over the country, the rest of the royal family, members of the government and several other politicians. In addition, there were people who have excelled in various fields such as culture or sports.

The main character himself also spoke. Here she thanked for “a fantastic celebration”.

She also expressed gratitude for growing up in a country with trust between people and with communities where one tries to find good solutions.

However, this is not the first time the young heir to the throne has spoken in public. She also did so during her confirmation in 2019.

The guests arrived at the party:

Staff critical

During the party, the library is kept closed to the public. They have led to reactions from employees, among others.

The management at the library had agreed to let the government celebrate the heir to the throne’s official day there. The shop stewards react to the fact that the decision was not discussed with them, writes VG.

– It is embarrassing that the most beautiful building in the city, whose most important function is to be accessible to everyone, is turned into a closed party room for the party, writes Jenny Dellegård, chief shop steward for Fagforbundet Deichman Club and Goro Aarseth in Bibliotekarforbundet Deichman in a post in Dagbladet Thursday .

Management defends the closure. They point out that it is a matter of one day and that 18 other libraries are open in Oslo.

The party continues on Friday

For most public guests, the celebration of the coming queen continues on Friday.

Then the king and queen hold a gala dinner.

The guest list reveals a massive support from all European royal houses except the British.

Here, too, Märtha Louise’s fiancé Verrett and her three children are with us.