Crown Princess Mette-Marit is marking a special milestone throughout an emotional week for the Norwegian royal family.
The Norwegian Royal House celebrated the Crown Princess’ 53rd birthday on Wednesday, August 19, by sharing a uncommon family portrait that includes Mette-Marit alongside her husband, Crown Prince Haakon, and their youngsters, Princess Ingrid Alexandra and Prince Sverre Magnus.
© Rune Hellestad – Corbis“Today, 19 August 2026 Her Royal Highness Crown Princess Mette-Marit celebrates her 53rd birthday. Congratulations!” the Royal House introduced, including that the birthday can be “celebrated privately.”
The portrait, which was taken earlier this yr, exhibits the family of 4 posing collectively contained in the Royal Palace in Oslo. Mette-Marit stands beside Haakon, whereas Ingrid Alexandra and Sverre Magnus flank their dad and mom.
© Det kongelige hoffAccording to reviews, the {photograph} was taken in April throughout a reception for Norwegian athletes who had competed on the Paralympic Games. Its launch affords a uncommon new glimpse of the Crown Prince’s family collectively at a very vital second for the Norwegian monarchy.
A birthday amid King Harald’s hospitalization:
Mette-Marit’s birthday comes simply days after King Harald, 89, was admitted to Rikshospitalet in Oslo following a medical examination.
© Anne-Marie ForkerThe Royal House introduced on August 17 that the monarch had been receiving cortisone therapy for hemolytic anemia in current weeks. According to the palace, the therapy resulted in fluid accumulation that required hospital care.
King Harald has subsequently been positioned on sick depart for two weeks. During his absence, Crown Prince Haakon is serving as regent, quickly finishing up the monarch’s constitutional duties.
© Per Ole HagenThe hospitalization additionally prompted a deeply private look from Mette-Marit. The Crown Princess, who is constant her restoration following a lung transplant, joined Haakon for a go to to King Harald on the hospital.
The outing marked a uncommon look for Mette-Marit throughout her restoration and got here simply at some point earlier than the Royal House publicly celebrated her birthday.
A significant family second:
The newly launched portrait additionally places Princess Ingrid Alexandra and Prince Sverre Magnus again within the highlight alongside their dad and mom.
© LISE ASERUDIngrid, 22, stands beside her father within the {photograph}, whereas her youthful brother, Sverre Magnus, 20, poses on the other facet of Mette-Marit.
The relaxed family picture is notably completely different from the formal portraits historically related to main royal events.
© Per Ole HagenThe birthday comes throughout an eventful interval for the family, with Haakon assuming the function of regent whereas his father receives therapy and Mette-Marit persevering with her personal restoration.
For now, nonetheless, the Crown Princess seems to be retaining the milestone low-key. Rather than saying public birthday engagements, the palace confirmed that Mette-Marit will spend her 53rd birthday privately, whereas sharing the family portrait to commemorate the event.