As Duke and Duchess of Värmland, Prince Carl Philip and Princess Sofia of Sweden often visit their duchy. On 25 October, the two began an official two-day visit to the region, which is centrally located in western Sweden and functions as a border region with neighbouring Norway.
The Prince and Princess were welcomed by regional political leaders in Karlstad before the journey went west towards the municipality and the town of Säffle. There, Prince Carl Philip and Princess Sofia saw the new facilities for the production of electricity with wind turbines and were able to talk to local businesses.
It was Prince Carl Philip who had the honour of officially opening the wind facility, which is an important contribution to Swedish energy production. The wind turbines can supply 26,000 households with electricity each year.
During the official opening, the Prince gave a speech in which he said: “Our own access to energy from various sources is crucial for Sweden’s future prospects – and for our independence. Therefore, today’s inauguration is an important step. Not just for Säffle municipality and Värmland, but for our entire country.”
After a lunch at one of the town’s older houses, Their Royal Highnesses visited the library in the village of Grums, where they heard about a project where young people read to the elderly.
Prince Carl Philip and Princess Sofia concluded their hectic day in Värmland with a luxurious dinner at the official residence in Karlstad – the duchy’s largest city. Carl Philip and Sofia did not spend the first evening at the residence alone, as they were hosted by Governor Georg Andren and his wife, Maria.
The official visit continued on 26 October with a visit to the Swedish Agency for Community Preparedness and the company Ballograf.
