Princess, 22, makes her big debut as heir to the throne with sentimental tiara – best photos

Crown Princess Ingrid made her debut as heiress to the Scandinavian throne on Thursday night. 

Ingrid, 22, is now first in line to the throne, meaning she is known as the Crown Princess.

She wore a stunning off-shoulder gown in deep purple, which perfectly matched her tiara.

King Haakon automatically became monarch in August following his father's death in August, and took the oath as the new King of Norway on 1 September.

Haakon wore formal white tie with the Order of St Olav and the Royal Norwegian Order of Merit, according to the Royal Watcher Blog. 

He arrived arm-in-arm with his mother, Queen Sonja, King Harald's widow, in a sweet show of support.

Ingrid debuted the stunning amethyst tiara that Sonja received from King Harald V as a gift for her 60th birthday, and which she wore during the 1997 state visit.

The stunning piece has great sentimental value and has often been worn by Ingrid's mother Mette-Marit at major international events, such as state visits and the Stortingsmiddag.

Sonja gifted the piece to Mette-Marit in 2004 to mark Princess Ingrid's birthday, and it was loaned to Princess Martha Louise in 2010 for Crown Princess Victoria of Sweden's wedding.

Queen Sonja wore an elegant white floral dress, paired with Queen Maud's pearl tiara.

During her husband's 35-year reign from 1991, Sonja used the official title "Hennes Majestet", translated in English to "Her Majesty".

However, she surrendered this title following her husband's death, as it is reserved for Norway's reigning monarch and their spouse.

The King's speech is always a highlight of the Stortingsmiddag, and it is followed by a reply from the Storting president.

Delivering his speech, Haakon remembered his father, King Harald, saying: "So it’s me standing here, not my father. I miss him tonight, and I’m sure I’m not alone. This was his arena.

"He was, as we know, funny – with apt comments and good timing. And not infrequently; dad jokes."

Haakon also referenced Harald's older sister, Princess Astrid, who passed away two days after his funeral.

"We also miss Princess Astrid, my dear aunt, who attended this dinner countless times. She was there, supportive and curious until the very end – with or without her dog Wilma on her lap," he said.

The annual Stortingsmiddag dinner took place in the Royal Palace's grand dining hall, as Haakon served as host for the first time as monarch.  

The Royal House describes the dinner as the "physical meeting between the King and the people's elected representatives on royal grounds".

It has been held annually since 1906, apart from the war years and the coronavirus lockdown.