Princess confirmed

All the other guests had taken their places in the Palace Chapel when the doors opened to admit the procession including the Princess’s godparents and close family members. All of the Princess’s godparents were present during the ceremony today: His Majesty King Felipe VI of Spain, His Royal Highness Crown Prince Frederik of Denmark, Her Royal Highness Crown Princess Victoria of Sweden, Her Highness Princess Märtha Louise and Princess Ingrid Alexandra’s grandmother Marit Tjessem. His Majesty King Harald is the Princess’s godfather.

Finally, the confirmand herself, Princess Ingrid Alexandra, arrived with the Bishop of Oslo, Kari Veiteberg, to the music of Antonio Vivaldi.

Princess Ingrid Alexandra arrives, accompanied by Bishop of Oslo Kari Veiteberg. Photo: Vidar Ruud / NTB scanpix

The guests then began to sing the hymn by Petter Dass, “Mighty Lord, to thy dear Name be given”.

The ceremony

The church service, led by Praeses of the Norwegian Bishops’ Conference Helga Haugland Byfuglien and Bishop Kari Veiteberg, featured a number of readings, songs and a slam poetry recitation.

Sami Parliament President Aili Keskitalo read Psalm 21 in a new Sami translation, with guests following along in Norwegian in the programme. Princess Märtha Louise read from 1 Corinthians: "But the greatest of these is love."

In her address to the confirmand, Bishop Kari Veiteberg highlighted the Princess’s focus on environmental issues. Photo: Terje Bendiksby / NTB scanpix

In her sermon Bishop Veiteberg spoke directly to the Princess, emphasising among her other fine qualities her strong commitment to nature and the environment. In their programmes, all the guests in the Palace Chapel received a sheet of seed paper with a special greeting from Princess Ingrid Alexandra: 

“When this seed paper is placed in the earth, it will in time grow into a variety of colourful summer flowers. I hope it will be a fond memory and a reminder that only we can take care of our planet. Ingrid”

The slam poet Evelyn Rasmussen Osazuwa also took the environment as her theme in her performance of “I am sick”.

The princess read the Prayer of Saint Francis. Photo: Lise Åserud, NTB scanpix  

Maria Solheim sang “I am in the Lord’s hands” before Princess Ingrid Alexandra read the Prayer of Saint Francis. King Harald led the confirmand’s godparents and brothers in lighting candles.

King Felipe of Spain lighting a candle. Photo: Lise Åserud / NTB scanpix

The Praeses and the Bishop together performed the act of confirmation.

Princess Ingrid Alexandra being confirmed. Photo: Lise Åserud, NTB scanpix

The recessional music was by George Frideric Handel.

The Princess leaves the Palace Chapel after the ceremony. Photo: Lise Åserud / NTB scanpix

After the confirmation service, an official luncheon for 159 guests was to take place in the Banqueting Hall.