The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge lunched with Crown Prince Haakon and Crown Princess Mette-Marit today, as well as seeing the famous Holmenkollen ski jump in Oslo; this completes their Scandinavian trip.
William and Kate began their final day #RoyalVisitNorway with a trip to Hartvig Nissen School, which was the location for the hugely successful Norwegian television programme ‘Skam’ (Shame). The popular show deals with issues facing teenagers, including mental health.
They were joined by Crown Prince Haakon and his wife, Crown Princess Mette-Marit for the day, who were also present at the black-tie dinner hosted by King Harald last night.
prince william and kate chat to students about the show ‘skam’ during #royalvisitnorway (kensingtonpalace)
Inside, the couple chatted to students about such issues and how the show has had an effect, as well as speaking to the cast about their work.
Catherine spent time talking to one young person outside of the school on a walkabout, discussing A-levels and university. She mentioned that it was cold in Scotland where she studied, but that she shouldn’t moan because it was far colder in Oslo! “Miles away, freezing cold. But I can’t complain about that being here. It’s much colder here,” Kate said.
Kate talks about her A-Levels and St Andrews University pic.twitter.com/yJYaDIxzwg
— Victoria Murphy (@QueenVicMirror) February 2, 2018
At Skagum, the official residence of Haakon and Mette-Marit, the Duke and Duchess were welcomed for lunch, including a very happy Muffins Kråkebolle, who is the Norwegian Royals’ eight-year-old labradoodle.
William and Haakon are second cousins, once-removed, via Edward VII and Queen Alexandra. Their daughter, Maud, married into the Norwegian Royal Family in 1896.
The Crown Prince and Crown Princess invited the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge to a luncheon at Skaugum Estate before embarking on the next part of the programme. The family dog took the opportunity to join the party. Photo: Sven Gj. Gjeruldsen, The Royal Court
the duke and duchess of cambridge were greeted by haaon and mette-marit’s dog,Muffins Kråkebolle (Sven Gj. Gjeruldsen, The Royal Court)
william and kate had lunch with haakon and mette-marit (Sven Gj. Gjeruldsen, The Royal Court)
The Cambridges then changed into snow gear for a visit to Holmenkollen ski jump, in the hills overlooking the capital of Oslo. The engagement was to see how the locals ’embrace the outdoors in the coldest of temperatures, and champion the importance of exercise and wellbeing’, according to Kensington Palace.
At the top of the dizzying slope, the Duchess playfully threw a snowball at her husband, before watching Norwegian ski jumper Anniken Mork speed down the track at 56mph, and jump.
the Holmenkollen ski jump overlooks oslo (kensington palace)
“You’ve got this!” said Prince William.
At the bottom of the jump, the group saw under-18 skiers from the Kollenhopp team landing, and were impressed by their skills.
The royal quartet then went on to join some skiers, experiencing Sami tents (similar to gurts), and roasting sausages on an open fire. The youngsters seemed to enjoy their company as they warmed themselves and talked about skiing.
Embed from Getty Images
Embed from Getty Images
William and Kate also spoke to some of the ski instructors who teach, hoping to keep children active, before visiting the adjoining nursery for young skiers.
Catherine revealed that Prince George has had a go at skiing in 2016; the family released a snowy set of photos back in March of that year, so it could have been this trip.
We saw the couple helping out the children after putting their skis on, and posing for a photo.
It was then to the nearby ski museum; opened in 1923, it is the world’s oldest museum to devoted to skiing, it attempts to tell 4000 years of the sport’s story.
The Royals admired ski outfits from across the ages, including a suit for a nine-month-old skier! They were very impressed that children start the sport so early.
After being shown an exhibit about the Roald Amundsen Expedition to South Pole of 1910-12, Crown Princess Mette-Marit apologised to the couple: the Norwegians beat the British team to be first in the world to reach the pole. “I’m sorry,” she smiled.
This rounded off William and Kate’s trip to Scandinavia, and they fly home this evening.
