Princess Ingrid Alexandra arrived in Finnmark under the glow of the Northern Lights, her first solo visit to Northern Norway.
The future queen of Norway took a six-mile snowmobile ride from the mountains to the plateau of a family’s shepherd hut where she camped with them overnight and helped with their reindeer herding duties as she spent time with them.
The royal camped out at plateau at the Anárjohka National Park with members of the Sara family to see the realities of reindeer herding. In an interview with NRK, the Norwegian state broadcaster, Grethe Máret said that Princess Ingrid Alexandra had many questions about the job.
“I think it gives a lot of positives when the king’s granddaughter shows so much interest in reindeer herding. It seems like she really cares,” she said, adding that she hoped Princess Ingrid Alexandra’s visit would usher in more interest in the field, and revealed that the future queen had told them “we’re tough.”
Princess Ingrid Alexandra told the broadcaster afterwards that the night spent reindeer herding had left an impression on her. “It was simply incredibly nice, I think it’s something I’ll remember for the rest of my life.”
She added: “It is incredibly nice to meet so many young people now who are proud of their Sami roots.”
The future queen arrived back at Jergul on Monday to begin her first full day of engagements, stopping at the Karasjok School to meet students from the kindergarten all the way up to upper secondary students.
She received a tour of the school from its student council leaders, visited two classrooms, and heard two yoiks—traditional Sámi songs—called ‘Rápmi Kárášjohkii’ and ‘Beaiccáš vuoibmi’ and also spoke with the student body where she spoke in Sámi to the large crowd.
“Ollu giitu dán liekkus vuostáiváldimis dáppe Karašjoga skuvllas. Mun lean illudan boahtit din guossái,” Princess Ingrid Alexandra said,a thank you for the warm welcome she’d received earlier in the day, and how excited she was to visit.
Princess Ingrid Alexandra praised the municipality of Karasjok for its nature, its sports and culture and its community, telling the students that it was important that they have each other “because it is what we do together and what we create together that becomes the society we live our everyday lives in. Where everyone should thrive and have a good time.”
The royal also spoke of the importance of Sámi culture in Norway and how strong the Indigenous culture is in the country, saying that “I hope and believe that we have come a long way, thanks in large part to the brave people who have gone before us and paved the way.”
She continued, praising the Sámi youth who are preserving their culture, language and nature, and said that “we can all be proud that the strong Sámi culture is part of our country, our common history and our present. Living well and respectfully together despite differences is one of the most important things we can try to achieve.”
As a thank you, Princess Ingrid Alexandra received several gifts from the Karasjok Municipality, including a Sámi knife, wooden cups and a coin.
Princess Ingrid Alexandra’s speech can be read in full here.
After her visit to the school, Princess Ingrid Alexandra paid a visit to the Sámi Parliament, which works to strengthen the political position of the Sámi people in Norway and secure their culture, language and social customs.
The future queen received a tour of the Parliament and met with its leaders to learn more about their activities, specifically meeting with the President, Silje Karine Muotka, the Chair, Sandra Márjá West, the Director, Inger Marit Eira-Åhrén, and the members of the Sámi Youth Policy Committee.
Before she arrived, the Sámi Parliament encouraged the public to show up and meet her and to wear a cardigan and the Sámi colours to “create a wonderful welcome.” The royal’s own shawl had been an 18th birthday present from Troms and Finnmark municipalities.
Princess Ingrid Alexandra held a press conference before the day ended, answering many questions from journalists ranging from her half-brother’s upcoming criminal trial, which she declined to comment on, and her own marriage prospects, which made her laugh.
Commenting on Marius’s upcoming trial, which starts next week, the young royal said, “I think that case should be handled by the legal system. And I don’t really think it’s natural for me to comment on that case at all.”
In November, she’d spoken a little more candidly, telling NRK from Sydney that it had been difficult as his sister and for everyone affected by the case, but wouldn’t speak any further.
As to whether her excursion with the reindeer herders would make her consider marrying a reindeer herder, she burst into laughter and reply “We’ll see!”
Her last full day in Finnmark will see the royal take a dog sled towards the border with Russia, which led to her sharing her thoughts on the ongoing conflict. “My thoughts go first and foremost to all the people in Ukraine in such an incredibly terrible situation,” she said.
Princess Ingrid Alexandra’s visit to Finnmark concludes on Tuesday with a visit to Kirkenes, where she’ll join students at the Tana Upper Secondary School for a lesson in dog sledding and to meet with businesses and community leaders from Sør-Varanger Municipality.
The future queen of Norway is currently on summer break from the University of Sydney, where she is a first-year student studying social sciences with a focus on international relations and political economics.
While on break, she has been carrying out royal duties, beginning before the Christmas holidays with her first time attending the Nobel Peace Prize ceremony.
