In today’s extraordinary session of the Council of State the Prince Regent, Crown Prince Haakon, announced that Crown Princess Mette-Marit at 9.13 am on Wednesday 21 January 2004 had given birth to a daughter. The Prince Regent said that in consultation with the King it has been decided that the newborn Princess will bear the name Her Royal Highness Ingrid Alexandra, and asked for the Council’s endorsement.

On behalf of the Council of State Prime Minister Kjell Magne Bondevik expressed the Government’s congratulations in saying:

”It is with sincere joy that the members of the Government have received Your Royal Highness’ announcement that Her Royal Highness Crown Princess Mette-Marit has given birth to a daughter. We ask to present our heartfelt congratulations to the child’s parents as well as to His Majesty King Harald and Her Majesty Queen Sonja. It is a great national event that an heiress to Norway’s throne has been born, and that the order of succession has been secured for yet another generation. The birth is an historic event, as this is the first time a daughter of Norway’s crown prince and crown princess is born to inherit the throne. The new Princess is being met with good wishes from the people. We express our hope that she will be a joy to her parents, and that she may win herself a place in the people’s hearts”.

On behalf of the Government the Prime Minister endorsed the Princess’ proposed name.

The Prince Regent announced that the Princess’ name and time of birth would be conveyed to the Storting.