The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge kicked off their four-day Scandinavian tour this morning in Sweden with a visit to Vasaparken, in Stockholm’s city centre to learn about bandy hockey and its popularity in Sweden.
Both the Duke and Duchess took penalty shots while braving the below freezing temperatures. Prince William beat his wife 2-1. Bandy hockey is like ice hockey except it is played with a ball instead of a puck.
The couple was able to defrost for a few hours before travelling to Stockholm’s Royal Palace to meet King Carl XVI Gustaf, Queen Silvia, Crown Princess Victoria and Prince Daniel. The King and Queen hosted lunch for the Duke and Duchess before Their Royal Highnesses walked to the Stortorget and Nobel Museum.
Their Royal Highnesses in the Nobel Museum. Photo: H Garlöv/Kungahuset.set
They all greeted the assembled crowds in the Stortorget, the oldest square in Stockholm, with Catherine telling Svenskdam intern Amanda Lundin, “It’s my first time in Sweden, but my sister has been here several times. I hope to come back at another time.” Her Royal Highness added that she knew how to say hello (hallå), thank you (tack) and goodbye (adjö) in Swedish.
Next, the royals headed inside the museum to be greeted by museum director Olov Amelin and learn about the museum’s activities. They also had the opportunity to meet the chairman of the Nobel Foundation Board, Carl-Henrik Heldin.
The Duke and Duchess touring Ark Des. @KensingtonRoyal/Twitter
The Duke and Duchess then broke away from the Crown Princess Couple to visit Ark Des for an event celebrating Swedish design – including furniture brand IKEA, which the couple revealed they owned several pieces from.
Just a couple of hours later, William and Catherine reunited with Victoria and Daniel at the Residence of the British Ambassador for a small black-tie dinner hosted by the British ambassador, David Cairns. Sweden’s Prime Minister Stefan Löfven and representatives from the Swedish government, parliament, business and culture, including Swedish actors Stellan Skarsgård and Alicia Vikander, were also in attendance.
Their Royal Highnesses at the Residence of the British Ambassador. Photo: @KensingtonPalace/Twitter
Their visit continues tomorrow starting at the Karolinska Institute with the Crown Princess Couple in the morning.
