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.
