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Royal visit by the heirs of the Scandinavian thrones

26 June 2008 15:30

From left to right: the Governor of Svalbard (Sysselmannen), Kim Holmén (director of research of the Norwegian polar Institute), crownprince Haakon of Norway, Nick Cox (stationleader of the British NERC station), crownprincess Victoria of Sweden, Oddvar Midtkandal (director of Kings Bay), me and crownprince Frederik of Denmark nice meeting you
thumbs up for the wooden shoes
Today, Ny-Ålesund is visited by the heirs of the Scandinavian throwns: crownprincess Victoria of Sweden, crownprince Frederik of Danmark and crownprince Haakon from Norway. They are on a boattrip with the Swedish ice breaker Oden and arrive per helicopter. It is an important day for us, because these three people are ambassadors for polar research and research into climate change. There is a program with informal presentations and an excursion to the Zeppelin and marine station. During the city walk, Oddvar and Kim lead them towards the Netherlands Arctic Station. Victoria immediately notices my wooden shoes as token of my nationality. On the large picture above from left to right: the Governor of Svalbard (Sysselmannen), Kim Holmén (director of research of the Norwegian Polar Institute), crownprince Haakon of Norway, Nick Cox (stationleader of the British NERC station), crownprincess Victoria of Sweden, Oddvar Midtkandal (director of Kings Bay), me and crownprince Frederik of Denmark
the geese are hatching on the islands timing is essential
birthday of Alexia
I tell them about geese, grasses and foxes, goose behaviour, bird health and timing of breeding. They are really interested and it is a pleasant conversation. We link to the barnacle geese on Gotland, Sweden and the greylag geese on Saltholm, Denmark. Victoria's garden is full of canada geese and this year there is even a mixed pair canada goose-greylag with young. They comment on my Dutch flag and I explain that the orange part is because today is the third birthday of Alexia, third heir to the Dutch throne.
you can see the birds nesting here you can focus
migratory birds need to travel before they experience the warming arctic
They look through the telsecope to the geese and eider ducks on the closeby island. It is a photo opportunity. There is a loud noise of camera's from all sides. I am impressed by the knowledge and commitment of my guests.
Your Royal Highnesses, thank you very much for being such a terrific ambassadors for polar science.
four national networks and journalist from the newspapers full atention more press


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