Summer and the royal news agenda is easy, mostly because very little happens. Holidays beckon, diaries thin out and the constant spotlight seems to dim. Or does it? This summer has shown several young royals that scrutiny is never more than a moment away, even if they are doing nothing more than going about their daily business.
In the last weeks, Princess Ingrid Alexandra of Norway, 19, Spain’s Infanta Sofia, 16, and 17 year old Prince Christian of Denmark have all found themselves caught up in debates that they didn’t start. The young royals who were once seen only in birthday and back to school photos are all taking on bigger public roles and have quickly come face to face with the royal reality of being constantly monitored.
Princess Ingrid Alexandra found herself a topic of debate for doing what many a 19 year old has done and wearing a dress with a skirt split in it. As her parents celebrated their 50th birthdays with a party at the Royal Palace in Oslo, their only daughter turned up in a rather stylish deep blue cocktail dress with a thigh split. While Ingrid walked into the festivities, others began debates about whether the outfit was suitable with her age and her status as second in line to the throne mentioned often in the discussions. Presumably, mum and dad didn’t mind in the slightest as they’d all got ready together but that didn’t stop others questioning the choice of dress.
What women wear is a well worn path for royalty and Ingrid, no doubt, has already had plenty of advice from all her regal relations about how to deal with the fashion critics who will, inevitably, follow her through life.
More difficult were the situations involving Spain and Denmark’s royals. Prince Christian, who turns 18 in October, found himself caught up in a debate about his personal life. Again, it’s an occupational hazard of being royal and close to a throne – people have always wanted to know who is dating who – but in this case, events seemed to develop with little involvement from the prince himself or his parents, an important point given his age.
Earlier in the summer, he was photographed standing next to Princess Maria Chiara of Bourbon Two-Sicilies in a group shot taken at a Grand Prix. Weeks of romantic rumours followed until Maria Chiara herself released a statement on social media, in three languages, denying a relationship. Christian’s knowledge of or involvement in the statement isn’t known. But it was a stark reminder to Christian and to the brand new generation of royals that any friendship can become the subject of a story that may not even exist.
Infanta Sofia also found herself involved in a debate that had nothing to do with her. On August 20th 2023, she was on the podium at Stadium Australia in Sydney to congratulate the Spanish women’s football team as they collected the World Cup they had just won. So, too, was Luis Rubiales, President of the Spanish Football Federation who proceeded to kiss star player, Jenni Hermoso, on the lips in an action she said wasn’t consensual. He’s said it was but has been suspended by Fifa.
There have been protests across Spain at his actions while his mother has gone on hunger strike in a church to support her son. It’s a massive national debate in Spain and every time it’s talked about, photos of Sofia standing on the podium as the kiss took place are shown. The infanta, of course, had no idea of what Rubiales was doing and no involvement in the row. But just by showing her support for one of her country’s sporting teams, she’s found herself as part of a political row.
All three events are a reminder to the younger royals that their positions in life will always have the potential to bring problems. As they slowly begin their public lives, taking on more responsibilities and higher profile roles, that will only increase. It’s a tough one for teenagers to deal with and all three have strong family networks to support them. It’s also a reminder to royal watchers that behind the pictures and headlines are humans. No one finds being a teenager easy, having to do it in front of millions who think they know better than you only adds to the difficulties.
Summer is fading and the debates will too. However, three young royals, all currently second in line to their respective country’s thrones, have had a taste of the future and one that might well change their attitudes forever.