Welcoming the Restauration to the US

A large crowd of Norwegian-Americans, visiting Norwegians, and other spectators gathered at Pier 16 by the Hudson River. They were entertained by choirs and music, and served waffles by the Norwegian Church Abroad. Along with The Crown Prince, Norway’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, the Minister of Trade, and local authorities from New York, the ship and its crew were welcomed with cheers and applause.

Restauration arriving in New York. Photo: Ola Vatn, The Royal Court

Crown Prince Haakon greets Restauration, alongside Aissata Camara – Commissioner for International Relations in New York, Minister of Foreign Affairs Espen Barth Eide, Tora Aasland, Chair of the Crossings200 Steering Committee, and Minister of Trade Cecilie Myrseth. Photo: Ola Vatn, The Royal Court

The emigrant ship was built by Ryfylke Trebåtbyggjeri in Judaberg and was launched in 2010. Since 2024, the ship has been owned and operated by the Restauration Friends Association, whose goal is to spread knowledge about emigration from Norway to North America, as well as coastal culture and practical seamanship. The association has 110 members, and Ann Irene Sem-Henriksen is the chairperson.

The voyage of Restauration began on July 4, 2025, from Stavanger, with both The King, The Queen and The Crown Prince family present, alongside thousands of others, to wish the ship and its crew good luck on their journey. After 98 days at sea, they arrived in New York, having spent as many days at sea as the original ship did.

A couple of thousand attendees participated in the ceremony at Pier 16 in New York. Photo: Ola Vatn, The Royal Court

It was Marthe and Lars Larsen Geilane who led the group across the sea, and along the way, their daughter was born. Thus, 52 people left Norway, and 53 arrived in America. It was considered a miracle that everyone survived.

Restauration arriving in New York. Photo: Ola Vatn, The Royal Court

Between 1825 and 1925, over 800,000 Norwegians emigrated to the United States, driven by hopes for freedom, work, and a better life. The emigration has created strong and lasting bonds between the United States and Norway, and today, more than 4.5 million people of Norwegian descent live in the United States.

Read the Crown Prince's speech at the welcome ceremony

Crown Prince Haakon meets representatives of the NYPD Vikings Association at the ferry terminal in Brooklyn. The NYPD Vikings Association were founded in 1958 by Lieutenant Erling Johansen, son of Norwegian immigrants. The association consists of current and retired police officers of Scandinavian descent. Photo: Ola Vatn, The Royal Court

On the last day of his visit to the United States, Crown Prince Haakon visited the Gjøa Football Club at Red Hook Soccer Field and received a briefing about Gjøa’s historical ties to Norway. Photo: Ola Vatn, The Royal Court

The day started with a the CEO Breakfast Roundtable and a USA-Norway Business Summit in New York.

Read the Crown Prince's speech at the business conference