The Crown Prince and Crown Princess in Latvia

The Republic of Latvia was founded when it declared its independence on 18 November 1918. Latvia had been under Russian rule since the early 1700s.

Official welcoming ceremony at Riga Castle

Today His Excellency President Raimonds Vējonis and First Lady Iveta Vējone welcomed Their Royal Highnesses The Crown Prince and Crown Princess to Latvia with a formal ceremony at the Residence of the President of the Republic of Latvia – Riga Castle.

The President and First Lady and the Crown Prince and Crown Princess paid their respects to the two countries’ flags as they listened to both national anthems, and Crown Prince Haakon inspected the Guard of Honour together with President Vējonis. 

Crown Prince Haakon and President Vējonis inspect the Guard of Honour. Photo: Lise Åserud / NTB scanpix

After the ceremony the two couples had the chance to conduct a conversation tête-à-tête, followed by bilateral meetings between the Norwegian and Latvian delegations.

Flower-laying ceremony at the Freedom Monument

The Freedom Monument has been a gathering place in Riga ever since its unveiling in 1935. During the Soviet occupation, gatherings at the monument were strictly forbidden. Yet people still flocked there to mark the founding of the republic. When Latvia regained independence in 1991, the Guard of Honour once again took its place at the foot of the monument.

Both the President and First Lady and the Crown Prince and Crown Princess laid bouquets at the monument today.

The Crown Prince and Crown Princess and the President and First Lady laid bouquets at Latvia’s Freedom Monument. Photo: Lise Åserud / NTB scanpix

Business luncheon

Over 300 Norwegian companies are registered across Latvia, and there is great interest in both countries in mutual business cooperation. Some 10 000 Latvians live in Norway, working primarily in the health care sector and construction industry. Today the Norwegian Ambassador to Latvia, Mr Steinar Hagen, hosted a luncheon for the Latvian-Norwegian Business Forum, with Crown Prince Haakon in attendance. 

In his remarks to the business forum, the Crown Prince hearkened back to the long tradition of commerce between Bergen and Riga during the Hanseatic times, and expressed hope that the day would lay the foundation for new trade cooperation between close allies. 

After the luncheon, the visitors were taken to the National Library of Latvia, the Castle of Light.

The People’s Bookshelf

As the new national library was about to open in 2014, thousands of people formed a human chain and passed more than 2 000 books hand-to-hand from the old national library to the newly built symbol of knowledge. The building’s silhouette recalls the Glass Mountain of Latvian folklore, a symbol of the height of achievement – accomplishments that are not easily attainable but are endlessly rewarding for those who scale the peak.

The Crown Prince and Crown Princess in Latvia’s beautiful national library. Photo: Lise Åserud, NTB scanpix

Inside the building is an atrium with a glass construction called the People’s Bookshelf, to be filled with books from anyone who wishes to donate a book of personal significance. All the delegations that visit Latvia during its centennial celebration donate a book to the Latvian people here. Today was the Crown Prince and Crown Princess’ turn. They chose Maria Parr’s Vaffelhjarte (Waffle Heart) from 2005, a children’s book that has won many awards and has been translated to many languages – including Latvian, with the title Vafeļu sirdis.

UN World Book Day

Today is World Book Day, a day for celebrating books and the positive power of reading. In the children’s reading room, Crown Prince and Crown Princess met with Latvian children and talked with them about the joy of reading. Many of the children had brought their own favourite book and told the Crown Prince and Crown Princess about it. One of the children had brought the Swedish classic Karlsson-on-the-Roof. The Norwegian children’s book Brune by Håkon Øvreås, about a boy named Rune who at night becomes the superhero Brune and fears nothing, was also presented.

The Crown Prince and Crown Princess talking about books with children at the National Library of Latvia. Photo: Lise Åserud / NTB scanpix

The visit to the national library concluded with a meeting with pupils who have chosen to study Nordic languages.

Official dinner at the Residence of the President

Tonight Crown Prince Haakon and Crown Princess Mette-Marit are the guests of the President and First Lady at an official dinner at Riga Castle. The Crown Prince took the opportunity to congratulate Latvia on its century of independence.

Tomorrow the visit continues to the capital of Lithuania, Vilnius.