The Crown Prince and Crown Princess in London

His Royal Highness Crown Prince Haakon opened a business conference bringing together Norwegian and British industrial leaders in energy, technology, finance and other fields. The aim of the conference is to enhance cooperation between the two countries on efforts to promote the green transition. Key areas of cooperation include offshore wind, hydrogen, carbon capture and storage and renewable energy technologies.

Strong ties

"The ties between our two countries are deep and strong. Our relations rest on a foundation of a long history of cooperation. We are partners in a wide range of areas: in politics and culture, in economy and defence – just to mention a few," the Crown Prince said in his opening remarks.

Crown Prince Haakon speaking at the opening of the London business conference “A Strong Partnership for the Green Industrial Transition”. Photo: Nina Rangoy / NTB

Grant Shapps, the UK Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, further underscored the long history of close ties between the two countries. In his speech he noted that Norway in the 1940s was already a major energy producer, operating what was once the world’s largest electric power station: Vemork. He then paid tribute to the British-Norwegian collaboration in carrying out the crucial sabotage action to halt heavy water production at the Vemork plant during the World War II.

Literature links us together

Later in the morning Norwegian authors Karl Ove Knausgård, Lars Mytting and Siri Helle took part in an event for British booksellers, publishers, translators and cultural journalists in the Norwegian Ambassador’s residence in Kensington. Her Royal Highness Crown Princess Mette-Marit opened the event, while Norwegian Minister of Foreign Affairs Anniken Huitfeldt delivered the closing remarks.

Crown Prince Haakon and Crown Princess Mette-Marit met Norwegian authors Siri Helle, Lars Mytting and Karl Ove Knausgård at the Ambassador’s residence in London. Photo: Nina Rangoy / NTB

"I am deeply grateful to writers for their gifts to all of us, to their readers. Literature connects us to the past and to the future. It connects us across continents and diverse ways of life. Literature connects us to each other. And to ourselves," the Crown Princess said in her speech.

Skatepark in Brixton

Access to meeting places is a crucial part of bringing people together and creating strong local communities. This afternoon, the Crown Prince and Crown Princess visited Stockwell Skatepark in the Brixton district and met some of the young skaters who gather there. The skatepark, one of the UK’s oldest, was restored by the Norwegian company Betongpark.

Crown Prince Haakon and Crown Princess Mette-Marit at Stockwell Skatepark. Photo: Nina Rangoy / NTB

In the evening, the Crown Prince and Crown Princess attended a reception hosted by the Royal Norwegian Embassy at Lindley Hall.

Meeting with the Prince and Princess of Wales

Their Royal Highnesses The Prince and Princess of Wales received Crown Prince Haakon and Crown Princess Mette-Marit at Windsor Castle on Thursday morning. Located outside London, Windsor Castle is one of the official residences of the British monarch.

The Crown Prince, Crown Princess, and the Prince and Princess of Wales all took part in a meeting to discuss green energy solutions together with representatives of leading Norwegian businesses.

The Crown Prince and Crown Princess met The Prince and Princess of Wales at Windsor Castle outside London. Photo: Kensington Palace