For the first time, Princess Ingrid Alexandra of Norway, aged 21, will step into the international spotlight at the Nobel Peace Prize ceremony on December 10, 2025. The event, held at Oslo City Hall, is a significant milestone for the young royal, who is currently pursuing her studies in Australia. According to the Norwegian royal family’s official schedule, Princess Ingrid Alexandra’s participation marks her debut at this world-renowned ceremony, underscoring her growing role within the Norwegian monarchy.
Before attending the main ceremony, the Princess will join Crown Princess Mette-Marit at Save the Children’s Peace Prize Party, a tradition she has upheld in previous years. This children’s event, held ahead of the formal proceedings, provides a more relaxed setting where young Norwegians celebrate the ideals of peace and justice. After the party, Princess Ingrid Alexandra will reunite with her parents, Crown Prince Haakon and Crown Princess Mette-Marit, as well as her grandparents, King Harald and Queen Sonja, for the official Nobel Peace Prize presentation.
The 2025 Nobel Peace Prize has been awarded to María Corina Machado, a Venezuelan opposition politician recognized for her tireless advocacy for democracy in Venezuela. According to the Nobel Peace Center, Machado’s selection has ignited strong reactions around the globe, with many viewing her as a symbol of the broader struggle for democratic values in an era where authoritarianism is on the rise. The Center’s director, Kjersti Fløgstad, commented, “This year’s Nobel Peace Prize reminds us how important it is to stand up for democracy, what we risk losing if we don’t, and how bad things can get when authoritarian leaders seize power.”
Machado’s story and the turbulent state of Venezuelan democracy are at the heart of this year’s Nobel Peace Prize exhibition, which opens to the public at the Nobel Peace Center on December 12, 2025, and will run until autumn 2026. The exhibition, officially opened by Machado herself on December 11, tells the story of her work for democracy and highlights the global threats facing democratic societies today. The Center has collaborated with renowned Magnum photographer Emin Özmen, who traveled to Colombia in November 2025 to meet with young Venezuelans living in exile. Through his evocative photos and video interviews, Özmen portrays what he calls a “lost generation”—youth who have fled their homeland, searching for a future they no longer believe exists in Venezuela.
“These young people don’t see a future for themselves in Venezuela. They have given up hope for their country, but they haven’t given up hope for themselves. That is why they leave,” Özmen explained, according to the Nobel Peace Center. Since 2014, more than 8 million Venezuelans—about a quarter of the population—have left the country, driven by poverty, fear, and political instability. Those who remain behind face daily hardships and the pain of separation from family members who have sought safety and opportunity elsewhere.
Özmen’s earlier work in Venezuela, particularly his 2019 photo series “A Portrait of Unrest in Venezuela,” captured both the visible turmoil of protests and the quieter despair of everyday life under political and economic duress. His commitment to documenting human rights abuses and civil unrest extends beyond Venezuela; he has reported from conflict zones in Syria, Iraq, South Sudan, Niger, and Nigeria, with his work published in leading outlets such as TIME, The New York Times, Washington Post, Der Spiegel, and Le Monde. Özmen’s contributions have earned him prestigious accolades, including two World Press Photo awards.
This year’s Nobel Peace Prize exhibition does more than simply recount Machado’s achievements. It places her struggle within a broader context, illustrating how the fight for democracy in Venezuela resonates with global audiences. The exhibition includes not only the stories and images of exiled Venezuelans but also a curated selection of international reactions to Machado’s award. Fløgstad, the Nobel Peace Center’s director, sees this as an opportunity for reflection and dialogue: “The engagement the prize has evoked provides a good opportunity to discuss the state of democracy in the world today. The global political divide in our time is not left vs right, but democracy vs dictatorship. Are we willing, as María Corina Machado, to work across political divisions to protect democracy? We invite our visitors to take part in that discussion.”
The Nobel Peace Center has scheduled a media preview of the exhibition on December 9, 2025, with the official opening for press on December 11. The public will have access starting December 12, ensuring that Machado’s message and the stories of Venezuelan exiles reach a wide audience over the coming year.
Back in Norway, Princess Ingrid Alexandra’s return from Australia for the Christmas holidays is expected to be a busy one. In addition to her Nobel-related engagements, she will take on several other official duties, signaling her increasing involvement in royal life. Her presence at the Nobel Peace Prize ceremony is seen by many as a rite of passage and a testament to the royal family’s commitment to supporting international efforts for peace and democracy.
The convergence of these events—the Princess’s debut at the Nobel ceremony and the global attention on Venezuela’s struggle—underscores Norway’s ongoing role as a champion of peace and human rights. While the Nobel Peace Prize has long been a stage for honoring those who challenge oppression and injustice, this year’s focus on Venezuela brings renewed urgency to discussions about democracy’s fragility worldwide.
As the world watches Oslo in December, the stories of María Corina Machado and the young Venezuelans forced into exile serve as powerful reminders of what is at stake. The Nobel Peace Prize, and the events surrounding it, invite all to consider not just the cost of losing democracy, but the courage required to defend it—wherever that fight may occur.