On Monday, May 2, 2022, Their Royal Highnesses Crown Prince Haakon and Crown Princess Mette-Marit of Norway began their three-day official visit to Sweden. The purpose of the visit is to strengthen ties between the two Nordic countries as well as to focus on “…cooperation around green, knowledge-based solutions…” according to the Norwegian royal court.

The day began with the crown princely couples of Norway and Sweden participating in the seminar, Norway and Sweden: Stronger Together than Separately, held at the Karolinska Institutet in Stockholm. According to the Norwegian royal court, representatives from various Norwegian and Swedish businesses came together to exchange knowledge and make contacts. During the seminar, Crown Prince Haakon gave a speech stating:

“I would argue that Sweden and Norway are the world’s best neighbors. It is not just because we have the longest common national border in Europe. Nor is it just because our countries’ stories, even our families, are so closely intertwined. And it is not just because our economies are closely integrated and ownership interests flow seamlessly between our countries.

I think it’s first and foremost about us understanding each other. We share a strong community of values ​​and interests. We cooperate easily, and in general we agree on what a good society is.

In an international context, the Nordic countries are small markets separately, but overall the Nordic region is the world’s 12th largest economy. If we co-operate here in the Nordic region, we have an opportunity to take global leadership in developing world-leading knowledge environments and business. Our common future is knowledge-based, and we get the best knowledge and research through collaboration.

Sweden is in 2nd place out of 132 countries on the Global Innovation Index.

It is simply impressive. We have great respect for Sweden’s role as a world leader in innovation. Now you are probably wondering where Norway is in that index. We are not in first place, we are in 20th place.” 

Thereafter, the crown princely couple visited the Kulturhuset in Stockholm where they met with young people and children to talk about books. Kulturhuset also arranged an industry meeting in collaboration with NORLA: Norwegian Literature Abroad. The goal is to present more Norwegian authors to the Swedish market and at the same time bring more Swedish publications to Norway.  The crown princely couples also met with the publishers and listened to a panel discussion held on the theme, The Brave Youth Literature.

In the afternoon, Their Majesties King Carl XVI Gustaf and Queen Silvia of Sweden hosted a luncheon at Stockholm Slottet in honor of Crown Prince Haakon and Crown Princess Mette-Marit’s official visit to Sweden. In attendance at the luncheon were Their Royal Highnesses Crown Princess Victoria and Prince Daniel of Sweden and Their Royal Highnesses Prince Carl Philip and Princess Sofia of Sweden.

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Photos courtesy of the Norwegian royal court