Visited the branches of government

The visits were focused on the separation of powers at the highest level of government into three independent branches (legislative, executive and judicial).

His Royal Highness Crown Prince Haakon paid a similar visit to the three branches of government in connection with his 18th birthday in 1991.

The Storting

The President of the Storting (Norwegian parliament), Masud Gharahkhani, welcomed the Princess when she arrived at the national assembly building this morning. The President of the Storting explained the proceedings in the Storting and spoke about the history of the building.

The President of the Storting, Masud Gharahkhani, shows Princess Ingrid Alexandra the Storting Chamber. Photo: Simen Løvberg Sund, The Royal Court.

At the Office of the President of the Storting, the Princess met the First Vice President of the Storting, Svein Harberg, and the youngest Member of Storting, Maren Grøthe. Mr Harberg described the work carried out in the various committees, while Ms Grøthe spoke about what it was like to be a member of parliament.

The Supreme Court

After visiting the Storting, Princess Ingrid Alexandra was received by Chief Justice of the Supreme Court Toril Marie Øie and Secretary-General Bente Johanne Kraugerud. Before being given a tour of the Supreme Court Building, the Princess met four Supreme Court Justices. The Princess had the chance to see two of the chambers while Ms Øie spoke about the structure of the Norwegian judicial system.

The Princess is given an introduction to the court’s activities by Chief Justice of the Supreme Court Toril Marie Øie. Photo: Liv Anette Luane, The Royal Court.

The Princess also had the opportunity to sit in the King’s Chair, just as her father – Crown Prince Haakon – did when he visited the Supreme Court upon reaching the age of majority in 1991.

The Princess sitting in the King’s Chair in the Office of the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court. Photo: Javad Parsa / NTB.

The Government

Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre and Secretary to the Government Anne Nafstad Lyftingsmo welcomed the Princess to the Office of the Prime Minister this afternoon. The Princess and the Prime Minister then had a private conversation in the office – like the one Crown Prince Haakon had when he visited then Prime Minister Gro Harlem Brundtland.

At the Prime Minister’s Office, the Princess listened to a presentation on the work of the Government and the ministries. Photo: Simen Løvberg Sund, The Royal Court.

After their conversation, Prime Minister Støre took Princess Ingrid Alexandra to a meeting room where she met Minister of Justice and Public Security Emilie Enger Mehl and several of the staff members at the Office of the Prime Minister. The Prime Minister explained the work of the Office, while Ms Mehl spoke of her activities as minister.