Friday 20 May 2016

With a little bit of help from grandpa


Princess Ingrid Alexandra of Norway opens a park named in her honour with a bit of help from her grandpa, Harald V

Everyone needs a helping hand when they are learning and the future queen of Norway got a lesson from an expert in royal matters on one of her biggest engagements yet. As she opened a park named after her, her grandpa, King Harald V, was on hand to guide her along. And he looked about as proud as can be to do it.


In fact, just about the whole Royal Family of Norway was there for the opening of the Princess Ingrid Alexandra Sculpture Park in the Palace Grounds with Harald's sister, Princess Astrid, joining the regal party too.



The park has been designed for children to use and enjoy. It has three sculptures right now but will get more and while there were plenty of royals on hand, it was the princess whose name the park carries who got to do the honours and declare everything open.


Ingrid was joined by her brother, Prince Sverre Magnus, in trying out the park while their parents, Crown Prince Haakon Magnus and Crown Princess Mette-Marit watched and smiled. A lot.


Mother's pride - Mette-Marit comes over all smiley as she looks at her two younger children, Ingrid Alexandra and Sverre Magnus of Norway

But it was the pride of the royal grandparents, Harald and Sonja, that really stood out. The park might have been designed and created to mark their 25th anniversary as King and Queen of Norway but for them the day was clearly all about their grandchildren.


Harald and Sonja of Norway at the opening of the Princess Ingrid Alexandra Sculpture Park

As they walked through the space, which had been put into use faster than you can say sculpture park, they held hands and looked rather moved at the way their grandchildren were handling this big event. Grandpa Harald may have made the speech but the look on their faces said it all. This was a royal engagement but a family affair first and foremost for some very happy, regal grandparents.

Photo credit: kongehuset.no

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