During their recent state visit to Norway, King Frederik and Queen Mary chose an unusual form of transportation along with the Norwegian Crown Prince Couple. They opted to take the public metro, the T-bane, to visit Østmarka National Park, an urban national park located just 19 minutes from the center of Oslo. This state visit marks a rare occasion where the Danish royal couple forgo private transport in favor of public transportation. Along with Crown Prince Haakon and Crown Princess Mette-Marit, they made the trip to the park, where they had the opportunity to experience nature and discuss biodiversity conservation and the promotion of outdoor activities.
During the visit to the national park, King Frederik expressed his enthusiasm for the Norwegian nature and the importance of young people engaging with and learning about environmental challenges. He pointed out how nature can have a positive impact on well-being, especially among the youth. The visit was also used to highlight the national park’s unique location close to Oslo, making it easily accessible to the city’s residents year-round. In the winter, the park offers skiing, while hiking and biking trails are popular in the summer.
The presence of several Danish ministers, including Minister of Environment Magnus Heunicke, also emphasized the importance of collaboration between countries on environmental and climate issues. This visit is part of the Danish royal couple’s second official state visit to Norway, where, in addition to promoting diplomatic ties, they also focus on environmental protection and sustainability.