In recent decades, the three Nordic monarchies have collaborated in a number of areas. They have carried out events together and thus strengthened the ties between both the nations and the royal families. This autumn, it is time for this again when Crown Prince Haakon of Norway will visit Kenya together withCrown Princess Victoria of Sweden. The trip will take place in late November.
The joint Swedish-Norwegian royal visit is linked to the Crown Prince of Norway’s role as goodwill ambassador for the United Nations Development Program, UNDP. The Norwegian Crown Prince has been a goodwill ambassador since 2003 and has visited a number of countries in his role as ambassador for the UN. Crown Princess Victoria of Sweden also has a role as a driving force behind the UN’s sustainability goals.
Crown Prince Haakon will also carry out a bilateral program in Nairobi on his own. The visit marks the close and good connections between Norway and Kenya. Like Norway, Kenya is concerned with a sustainable marine economy. During his visit, the Crown Prince will, among other things, open an ocean seminar and participate in a business programme.
It is currently unclear whether Crown Princess Victoria will have an independent program in addition to the joint program with Crown Prince Haakon. So far, no details have come from the Swedish royal court.
Kenya is the largest economy in east Africa and a natural gateway for Swedish and Norwegian businesses with an interest in the region. A Norwegian business delegation will participate. The Crown Prince is accompanied by the Norwegian Development Minister.
The Norwegian Royal Court announced in December of 2019 that Crown Prince Haakon would visit Kenya and Mozambique in February of 2020. Early in February 2020, a new statement from the royal court stated that the visit to Kenya had been cancelled. The Kenyan authorities cancelled all official programs and declared national mourning after former President Daniel arap Moi death’s on 4 February 2020.
