Märtha Louise of Norway at party for Princess Ingrid Alexandra

Let the celebrations begin! Newly-engaged Princess Märtha Louise of Norway and Shaman Durek lead the glamorous royals arriving for the first bash marking Princess Ingrid Alexandra’s 18th birthday

• Princess Märtha Louise and Shaman Durek put on a glamorous display when attending a government party
• Bash is being held at Oslo’s main library Deichman Bjoervika to mark Princess Ingrid Alexandra’s 18th birthday
• Tomorrow Ingrid Alexandra will party alongside glamorous European royals at a gala celebrating milestone

Princess Märtha Louise of Norway and her fiancé Shaman Durek put on a glamorous display as they joined royals attending a government party to mark Princess Ingrid Alexandra’s 18th birthday this evening.

Looking effortlessly elegant, Märtha Louise, 50, who is fourth in line to the Norwegian throne, commanded attention in a hot pink, floor-length gown, featuring silver shimmering detailing on the V-neckline and around her waist as she arrived at Oslo’s main library Deichman Bjoervika.

The mother-of-three announced her engagement to Durek, 47, a Los Angeles-based ‘spiritual guide and gifted healer’ whose celebrity following includes Gwyneth Paltrow, Nina Dobrev and James Van Der Beek, last week, before making their first public appearance in West Hollywood, at a new makeup collection launch.

This evening, the loved-up couple, who held as they walked the red carpet, were joined by the star of the night, Princess Ingrid Alexandra. The 18-year-old, who reached her milestone in January but postponed any formal celebrations, oozed elegance in a gem-encrusted white gown.

Ingrid Alexandra, who tomorrow will party alongside glamorous European royals at a gala celebrating her birthday, arrived alongside her parents Crown Prince Haakon of Norway and his wife Mette-Marit, as well as her grandparents Queen Sonja and King Harald.

Princess Märtha Louise of Norway and her fiancé Shaman Durek put on a glamorous display as they joined royals attending a government party to mark Princess Ingrid Alexandra’s 18th birthday this evening

Princess Ingrid Alexandra, who reached her milestone in January but postponed any formal celebrations, oozed elegance in a gem-encrusted white gown, left. She arrived alongside her parents Crown Prince Haakon of Norway and his wife Mette-Marit, right

Queen Sonja appeared equally vibrant in a blue gown and white cardigan, while her husband King Harald donned a smart suit 

Looking just as sophisticated as her daughter, Princess Mette-Marit opted for a bright yellow dress featuring floral details, which she teamed with a bright pink clutch.

Not to be outdone, Queen Sonja appeared equally vibrant in a blue gown and white cardigan, while her husband King Harald donned a smart suit. 

Tomorrow, Ingrid Alexandra is set to welcome the most glamourous European royals for her official birthday gala after it was postponed due to the pandemic. 

Royal blog Gert’s Royals confirmed that Queen Maxima and King Willem-Alexander of the Netherlands were among the first royals to RSVP to the event, alongside their daughter Princess Amalia, who is also 18. 

Ingrid Alexandra’s Spanish godfather Felipe VI, and his stylish wife Queen Letizia are also due to take part in the festivities alongside a host of royal names. 

Crown Prince Frederik of Denmark and Crown Princess Victoria of Sweden, who are also Ingrid Alexandra’s godparents, will also attend with their spouses. 

Looking effortlessly elegant, Märtha Louise, 50, who is fourth in line to the Norwegian throne, commanded attention in a hot pink, floor-length gown, featuring silver shimmering detailing on the V-neckline and around her waist as she arrived at Oslo’s main library Deichman Bjoervika

This evening, the loved-up newly-engaged couple, who held as they walked the red carpet, were joined by the star of the night, Princess Ingrid Alexandra (pictured left)

Ingrid Alexandra, who tomorrow will party alongside glamorous European royals at a gala celebrating her birthday, arrived alongside her parents Crown Prince Haakon of Norway and his wife Mette-Marit (pictured together)

Few details have been revealed ahead of the party, apart from a few royal names making the guest-list. In addition to Crown Princess Victoria of Sweden, Ingrid Alexandra’s other godmothers include her Highness Princess Märtha Louise, and Ms Marit Tjessem, the mother of the Crown Princess. 

King Felipe VI and King Harald – as well as the Queen and Queen Margrethe II of Denmark are all descended from Queen Victoria and King Christian IX, which is why the Spanish King was chosen as one of the teenage princess’s godparent. 

Meanwhile, Ingrid Alexandra’s grandfather, King Harald, is also first cousin to Queen Margrethe of Sweden, and Crown Princess Victoria is her cousin twice removed, earning herself another spot on the list of Ingrid Alexandra’s royal godparents. 

Ingrid Alexandra will become Norway’s first female monarch in 600 years when she ascends the throne after her father, 48. 

While her parents wanted their eldest daughter to enjoy as normal a life as possible when growing up, Ingrid Alexandra has been launched into the spotlight earlier this year when she reached her milestone’s birthday.

Looking just as sophisticated as her daughter, Princess Mette-Marit (pictured centre) opted for a bright yellow dress featuring floral details, which she teamed with a bright pink clutch

Tomorrow, Ingrid Alexandra (left) is set to welcome the most glamourous European royals for her official birthday gala after it was postponed due to the pandemic. Pictured, Crown Princess Mette-Marit

Marius Borg Høiby, Princess Ingrid Alexandra, Crown Prince Haakon and Crown Princess Mette-Marit attend the celebrations 

On her actual birthday, she joined her grandfather, reigning King Harald V, for a cabinet meeting at the Royal Palace as she marked coming of age.

In the next few years, Ingrid Alexandra will increase her public profile and take on more responsibilities on behalf of the royal family but will continue to focus on her education, the palace said in a statement. 

Crown Prince Haakon secured her place in the line of succession by changing the law to allow first-born daughters to ascend the throne over their younger male siblings. Her birthday means that, if required, she can now act as Regent of Norway.

Haakon, 48, ascended the throne ahead of his older sister Princess Märtha Louise, who is now engaged to Durek, 47, having been with her partner since 2019.

Märtha Louise shared her official engagement photo on her Instagram account last week – in which she showcased a dazzling emerald ring.

Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Store, King Harald, Queen Sonja, Marius Borg Høiby, Princess Ingrid Alexandra, Prince Sverre Magnus, Crown Prince Haakon and Crown Princess Mette-Marit attend the event 

Ingrid Alexandra’s (pictured with Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Store) Spanish godfather Felipe VI, and his stylish wife Queen Letizia are also due to take part in the festivities alongside a host of royal names

The princess was previously married to Ari Behn, who she wed in 2002 and had three children together Maud Angelica, 18, Leah Isadora, 16, and Emma Tallulah, 13. They split in 2016, and Ari took his own life on Christmas Day in 2019. 

Writing on Instagram, Märtha Louise said: ‘I am so happy to announce that I am engaged to Shaman Durek. The one who makes my heart skip, the one who sees me and acknowledges me from my highest potential, who makes me laugh and who I can be vulnerable with. 

‘Love transcends and makes us grow. And I am so happy to continue to grow with this beautiful man. Thank you to all my friends and family who have stood steadfast by our side and special thanks to @hegecfossum and @stargatemusic for your generosity and making our day truly special.’

In March, the princess shared the first snap of her three children alongside her partner Shaman Durek.

In the photograph, which the mother-of-three shared to her Instagram page to mark International Woman’s Day, Durek can be seen posing with the royal and her three children. 

Princess Märtha Louise last week revealed her engagement to her American boyfriend Durek Verrett (pictured together)

In March, Märtha Louise shared the first snap of her three children alongside her partner Shaman Durek (pictured)

The group appeared to be visiting Durek’s hometown of LA, where Märtha Louise has spoken of moving her family to in recent years. 

The Shaman was quick to share a gushing comment on the post, writing: ‘I love our family. You my dear are a force in life. The way you love your children and how you nurture their minds and heart to grow.’ 

Sharing the snap of the five-some together, the mother-of-three wrote: ‘To all the women and MEN supporting women’s brilliance, resilience, bravery, vulnerability, truth, leadership and passions; Happy International Women’s Day. 

‘In truth every day is a woman’s day. We need to fight for being heard, for being acknowledged, for not being taken advantage of, for equal pay every single day. 

‘So every day is an International Women’s Day where we build and grow into equality so that the next generation might not meet the same walls we did. #happywomensday.’ 

The princess and her American spiritual guru boyfriend pictured with Gwyneth Paltrow

Meanwhile Durek was quick to leave a gushing comment, saying he loved ‘the way [Märtha Louise] loved him.’

He added: ‘You are a spectacular women a true inspiration to many. Happy Womens Day darling. May all women be seen heard and respected globally.’

Earlier this year, Durek revealed he ‘asked King Harald’ of Norway for Princess Märtha Louise’s hand in marriage – but had yet to propose just then because they’re in ‘no rush’ to get married.  

In an interview in Billed Bladet he said he ‘does things in a respectful way’, adding: ‘I’m very old-fashioned in the way I do things. Therefore, I sat down with King Harald and Queen Sonja and asked for their daughter’s hand in marriage. If they had said no, I would not have gone ahead with it.’ 

Meanwhile he revealed how he plans to propose in an ‘old-fashioned’ way, adding: ‘For it will take me far more time to be ready to create a marriage. I do not want to rush a wedding. 

‘It is a very sacred ceremony for me and the same goes for the moment when I propose. It must be perfect.’ 

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