The Crown Princess and the Armed Forces
Her Royal Highness Crown Princess Ingrid Alexandra completed her initial military service with the Engineer Battalion in Brigade Nord in 2024–2025. She was stationed at Skjold Camp in the municipality of Målselv.
For Engineer Soldier Alexandra, her service began with an eight-week recruit training period, during which the soldiers received training in basic military skills such as weapons handling, field operations and survival in demanding conditions.
Following the recruit training period, specialist training began, during which the then Princess received instruction in her role as a gunner on an armoured combat engineer vehicle (CV90). As part of the combat engineer crew, a gunner is responsible for operating the vehicle’s weapons systems – a 40 mm cannon and a machine gun – and for providing the closest support to the vehicle commander. This role requires technical understanding, precision and rapid decision-making, as well as close cooperation with the rest of the crew and the other vehicles in the troop.
Fifteen months of service
As a result of their chosen specialist training, Princess Ingrid Alexandra and the rest of the company had a service period of 15 months. She completed her military service on 4 April 2025.
“I think the most important thing I have learned is that you are capable of much more than you think, and that we are much stronger together. Whether it is in a team, a troop or a company, you can achieve much more when you are not standing alone,” said Engineer Soldier Alexandra during an exercise in September 2024.
Completed service
In uniform on the Palace Balcony
When the children's parade passed by the Royal Palace on Constitution Day, the then Princess Ingrid Alexandra wore her uniform on the Palace Balcony. Shew was there as a representative of the Royal House - but also of the many young men and women that every year complete their initial military service.
Her grandfather King Harald wore his uniform on the Palace Balcony during his initial military service almost 70 years earlier.
Visits as a Gift
The then Princess Ingrid Alexandra made several visits to different branches of the Norwegian Armed Forces before beginning her military service. The Army, Navy and Air Force all received visits from the Princess after she was given these experiences as a gift for her 18th birthday.
She also visited the Armed Forces on the occasion of her confirmation. On that occasion, she visited the Ranger Platoon.
