Princess Ingrid Alexandra wore her newest bunad on Saturday as the Norwegian Royal Family led the celebrations for Constitution Day.
The future queen completed 15 months of military training earlier this spring, and received a bunad from Bardu and Målselv, the municipality where her training took place, as a farewell gift. Mayor Martin Nymo told reporters that seeing Princess Ingrid Alexandra in the bunad was “very cool and I’m very proud.”
He added, “Now she has a symbol of that that she can take with her further in life. That she has a heart for Målselv I think is very positive.”
When Princess Ingrid Alexandra received the bunad, she said, “A bunad symbolizes belonging, and I am happy that I feel a sense of belonging in this area.”
Constitution Day began with a children’s parade outside the Skaugum residence where Crown Prince Haakon and Crown Princess Mette-Marit live. Prince Sverre Magnus joined his older sister for the event, having missed it last year for his graduation events.
Later, they joined King Harald and Queen Sonja at the Royal Palace in Oslo for a separate children’s parade.
It is traditional in Norway for schools that celebrate milestone anniversaries to lead the parade in Oslo. According to the Royal Palace, Bryn School, Grorud School and Lakkegata School were at the beginning of the parade; all celebrate their 125th anniversary this year. In total, more than 26,000 students marched in the parade.
Constitution Day has been celebrated since 1815, a year after the constitution of Norway was drafted. In 1869, the first children’s parade was held.
