Prince Sverre Magnus of Norway has arrived in Lisbon to study Business Management, where a slip over Spain’s royal titles drew attention from royal watchers across Europe. The 20-year-old, second son of King Haakon and Queen Mette-Marit, is starting a new chapter at university while learning the details of royal protocol.
The moment came during a conversation with Norwegian outlet Dagbladet. Sverre Magnus, now a student at Forward College, was asked about life in Portugal and whether other royals were there. He called Sofía de Borbón 'prinsesse,' the Norwegian word for princess, instead of her Spanish title, 'infanta.' The slip highlighted a rarely discussed difference in how royal children are titled across Europe.
Forward College students follow a three-year academic path, studying in Lisbon, Paris and Berlin as part of their degree program. Infanta Sofía, the daughter of King Felipe VI and Queen Letizia of Spain, is in her second year at the college and based in Paris this year, not Lisbon. She studies Political Science and International Relations, while Sverre Magnus has just started Business Management. Their paths do not cross for now, but the college has become a meeting point for Europe’s next generation of royals.
The difference in titles goes beyond language. In Spain, 'infanta' is the title for royal children who are not the direct heir, as set out in Real Decreto 1368/1987. Sofía, the younger daughter, is an infanta; her sister Leonor is the Princess of Asturias and the heir. In most other European monarchies, including Norway, royal children are called prince or princess.
Sverre Magnus appears to be settling into life in Lisbon and has been seen in the Bairro Alto district. He told Dagbladet, "Yes, I am really looking forward to living in Lisbon," and confirmed that classes have started. Asked whether classmates found it odd to have a prince among them, he said, "No, I don’t think so. They had Princess Sofía of Spain here, so it’s not that strange. The atmosphere is very relaxed."
Several European media reports put tuition for European students at Forward College at 21,850 euros for the 2026-2027 academic year, plus an annual exam fee of around 500 euros for University of London programs linked to LSE.
His move to Portugal has raised questions about whether he will attend upcoming family events, including the funeral of his great-aunt Princess Astrid after King Harald’s recent death. The Norwegian royal household says only the immediate family will attend officially. Sverre Magnus’s role is informal now, reflecting his shift from royal duties to student life.
The title mix-up drew attention to differences in royal traditions across Europe. For young royals moving into international settings, protocol and identity can intersect in everyday exchanges.
