Crown Prince Haakon Concludes US Tour Marking 200 Years of Norwegian Migration

Royal Visit Commemorates Bicentennial of Norwegian Migration

His Royal Highness Crown Prince Haakon Magnus of Norway concluded a significant weeklong visit to the United States from October 6-9, 2025, marking the 200th anniversary of organized Norwegian migration to North America. The tour emphasized the enduring cultural and historical ties between Norway and the U.S., with key stops including St. Olaf College in Minnesota, Iowa, and New York City.

St. Olaf College Hosts Crown Prince

On Wednesday, October 8, 2025, Crown Prince Haakon visited St. Olaf College in Northfield, Minnesota, a prominent institution with deep Norwegian roots. During his nearly three-hour visit, he engaged with students and faculty, toured the campus, and participated in a discussion forum. The Crown Prince was greeted by St. Olaf President Susan Rundell Singer and other college officials. He praised the college's 'major and lasting contribution to keeping our common history and legacy alive,' noting its role in lifting 'the Norwegian-American experience into a contemporary global context'. This visit continued a long tradition of royal engagements at St. Olaf, which has previously hosted his parents, King Harald V and Queen Sonja, and other members of the Norwegian royal family. Earlier in the week, on Tuesday, October 7, the Crown Prince was in Minneapolis, where he visited Norway House, a cultural center, and met with Minnesota Governor Tim Walz at the State Capitol in St. Paul. Governor Walz highlighted the state's deep pride in its Norwegian heritage, calling it 'foundational to what we are as Minnesotans'.

A Journey Across the Midwest and to New York

The Crown Prince's tour began on Monday, October 6, in Decorah, Iowa, a region known for its strong Norwegian-American community. There, he visited the Vesterheim Norwegian-American Museum and Luther College, another institution founded by Norwegian immigrants. At Luther College, he received an honorary doctorate and spoke about the shared stories of courage and hope that bind the two nations. He met with descendants of those who arrived on the Restauration, the ship that carried the first organized group of 52 Norwegian emigrants from Stavanger on July 4, 1825. The journey culminated on Thursday, October 9, in New York City, where Crown Prince Haakon welcomed a replica of the Restauration as it sailed into Pier 16 by the South Street Seaport Museum. This event marked the exact 200th anniversary of the original ship's arrival in New York, which brought 53 Norwegians (one birth occurred during the voyage) to American shores. The overall trip, part of the 'Crossings 200' commemorations, aimed to highlight the historical journey of over 800,000 Norwegians who emigrated to the U.S. over the past two centuries, resulting in nearly 5 million North Americans claiming Norwegian ancestry today.

Strengthening Bilateral Ties

Accompanied by Norway's Foreign Minister Espen Barth Eide and Minister for Trade and Industry Cecilie Myrseth, along with a business delegation, the Crown Prince's visit also included a business summit focused on sustainable, innovative, and future-oriented solutions. The Norwegian Embassy to the U.S. stated the trip's purpose was to 'highlight the deep cultural and historical ties between the two countries and promote cooperation in business, education, and culture'.