King Harald and Queen Sonja have been smitten by polar charms. Both have been swept away by the nature, culture, people, light and colors of Svalbard.
Svalbard veteran and editor of the local newspaper Birger Amundsen guided the queen around Platåfjellet. Rolf Skår, director of the Norwegian Space Center, is in the background.
The king and queen enjoying the natural scenery.
Minister of Education and Research Øystein Djupedal took advantage of the chance to learn how the youngest residents liked life in Longyearbyen.
Five-year-old Nikolas Øverli discussed Pokemon and his cap with Queen Sonja.
Anita Johansen and Robert Hermansen from Store Norske said that coal would continue to be important for Longyearbyen in the next 100 years as well.
Maya and Joakim from Kullungen Day Care Center had a royal look for the street celebrations.
King Harald and Queen Sonja enjoyed exceptionally fine weather on Svalbard.
Svalbard pupils with Thai background performed a traditional dance from their homeland and presented a gift to the king and queen.
"The establishment of Svalbard Research Park illustrates Norway's recognition of its great responsibility as a polar nation in a greater research context," said King Harald when opening the facility. Queen Sonja was especially interested in the architecture, designed by Jarmund/Vigsnæs AS.
Students at Longyearbyen School drew up in their snowmobiles when the royals visited, led by principal Anne Ellingsen.
"Here a polar bear eats a seal," said 10-year-old Glenn Bergstrøm, showing an exhibit made by his class.
King Harald and Queen Sonja met children from Longyearbyen Day Care Center, who waved flags and sang in front of the Governor's Square."Of course other countries have a right to meet without Norway being included," Støre told Aftenposten over the weekend. "But when our friend Great Britain calls in the US, Russia, Spain and several other countries to a meeting to discuss coordination of its strategy in the north, that crosses the line."
Støre felt Norway was snubbed, and it was Russia's participation that seemed to provoke the greatest concern. Not only was Norway left out of the meeting, which was held last year, but it also only learned it was held after it was over.
Norway and Russia each have territorial rights on Svalbard, and Norway has a keen interest in its widespread territorial waters in the Arctic. Conflicts have occurred over fishing rights, also with countries deemed friendly like Spain and Russia, and the entire area from the Norwegian Sea to the Barents is full of political challenges.
British diplomats tried to tone down the importance of the meeting where it had left Norway off the guest list. The meeting was meant to draft positions on stability and interests in the area.
A spokesman for the British embassy in Oslo contended that the UK and Norway already had drafted such issues and both know where the other stands. The British therefore thought it could be useful to exchange viewpoints with other countries.
Støre said he won't interpret the meeting as an attempt by the others to challenge Norway's strong position in the Arctic. He also told Aftenposten that Norway still has a good relationship with Britain.
The British were eager to say the same, with the embassy spokesman claiming that the UK places a lot of importance on its dialogue with Norway.
