Norway’s King Harald and Queen Sonja will set off on a 12-day official visit to the US this fall, visiting New York and the Midwest, where many Norwegian immigrants settled a century ago.
Plans for the trip have been known for months, but the palace confirmed this week that it will take place October 11-22, and include visits to Minnesota and Iowa.
In the two Midwestern states, the royals will meet with state government officials and visit Norwegian-American communities and institutions.
In New York, they’ll be among the guests of honor at the 100th anniversary of the American Scandinavian Foundation, which also is expected to attract most of the other Nordic heads of state, reported newspaper Aftenposten.
King Harald and Queen Sonja will also visit other Norwegian institutions in New York and take part in several cultural and business programs.
In May the royal couple will make state visits to Slovenia and Croatia. King Harald cut back on lengthy official foreign travel after undergoing surgery for bladder cancer and, later, heart trouble. He’s been back on the sailing circuit in recent summers, though, and has declared himself fit and healthy. He turned 74 last month.
Views and News staff
