Norway’s football team had two very famous supporters in the stands as they sensationally knocked Brazil out of the FIFA World Cup.
The country’s future queen Princess Ingrid Alexandra, 22, and her brother Prince Sverre Magnus, 20, have been soaking up the festivities over in the US after a tumultuous month in their family.
Norway’s future queen and her brother have been out and about at the World Cup. Getty Images
The children of Norway’s heir Crown Prince Haakon and Crown Princess Mette-Marit were in the crowd at New York New Jersey Stadium on Sunday night (Monday AEST), with cameras capturing their reactions during the dramatic game.
Both wore suits teamed with bright red and white Norway scarves to show their allegiance.
Ingrid Alexandra and Sverre Magnus were previously spotted at the match between Norway and Senegal on June 22, also held in New Jersey.
The World Cup has likely been a welcome distraction for the siblings after a series of crises for Norwegian royal family.
On June 17, their mother underwent a successful lung transplant in Oslo, 12 days after being placed on a waiting list.
Mette-Marit was diagnosed with pulmonary fibrosis, a serious and rare lung condition, in 2018.
In recent months it had worsened, leading to her wearing a breathing tube during public engagements.
The situation became so serious, Princess Ingrid Alexandra returned home to Norway from Australia, where she was studying at Sydney University, in early June.
The World Cup is likely to be a welcome distraction for Princess Ingrid Alexandra and Prince Sverre Magnus. Getty
They’ve been soaking up the festivities after a tumultuous month back home. Getty Images
The siblings and their father were by Mette-Marit’s side as she recovered in hospital.
The Norwegian royals have also been plunged into controversy by Marius Borg Høiby, the Crown Princess’ son from a previous relationship – and half-brother to Ingrid Alexandra and Sverre Magnus.
On June 15, he was jailed for four years after being found guilty of rape and other crimes following a seven-week criminal trial.
We could very well be seeing more of the young prince and princess in the near future.
Ingrid Alexandra, who is second in line to the throne after her father, is at the centre of a proposed change to the constitution that will allow her to act as regent.
Norway’s monarchy has found itself lacking in senior royals to perform constitutional duties as it deals with the unprecedented crises.
“It seems realities have caught up with them,” Norwegian historian and author Trond Norén Isaksen told nine.com.au.
The move would bring Norway’s Royal House in line with other royal families across Europe, including in Britain and Denmark, who have back-up royals to stand in for the monarch when needed, such as when they are ill or travelling abroad.
Last year, Ingrid Alexandra and her brother carried out their first joint engagement, without their parents, at a Red Cross event – and it won’t be the last.
“In the time to come, [Ingrid Alexandra and Sverre Magnus] will both be needed to keep the wheels of the monarchy turning,” Isaksen said.
