Urban development and nature in Oslo

Oslo is surrounded by nature, and Their Royal Highnesses the Crown Prince and Crown Princess took their Danish guests on a trip to the forest area Østmarka. It is easy to get from the city center and out into nature, and the royals did like so many others: They took the subway.

Nature is just a subway ride away. Photo: Lise Åserud, NTB

School children met the royal entourage as they alighted at Ulsrud tube station. Photo: Lise Åserud / NTB

A walk around lake Ulsrud 

Once at Ulsrud, the party set off on a walk led by Henning Hoff Wikborg - general manager of the Norwegian Tourist Association (DNT). Along the way, they met several of DNT's tour leaders as well as young people who take part in the project "Young natural talents". The talents shared some of their experiences from gatherings and trips: Canoeing and kayaking, climbing and avalanche courses give the natural talents experience with many different forms of outdoor life.

 Crown Prince Haakon and Crown Princess Mette-Marit took King Frederik and Queen Mary on a walk around Lake Ulsrud outside Oslo. Photo: Lise Åserud / NTB

Østmarka National Park

Lake Ulsrud is located close to the Østmarka National Park, that will formally open on 25 May. The national park protects a large area of ​​forest, which is important for the preservation of various species and types of nature. In addition, the area is important for the population's culture, health and general well-being. Together with the area protected under the Lands Act, Østmarka National Park will cover more than 70 square kilometers.

Luncheon at Akershus fortress

In 1624 large parts of the medieval city of Oslo was destroyed by fire - again. The Danish-Norwegian king, King Christian IV, decided that the city should be rebuilt under Akershus fortress, and this time using bricks instead of wood. The new city was named Christiania, and this year Oslo celebrates the 400th anniversary of the restoration.

Today, Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre hosted the Government's luncheon in honor of the state visit. True to tradition, the lunch took place at Akershus.

Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre hosted an official luncheon at Akershus. Photo: Beate Oma Dahle / NTB

City walk in Bjørvika

After lunch the royal entourage went on a city walk in Bjørvika - Oslo's new harbor area. They got to see Norwegian-Danish solutions for future urban spaces, accompanied by Oslo's mayor Anne Lindboe and Danish Christian Pagh, director of the Oslo Architecture Triennale. Along the way, they met architects and other actors involved in the various projects.

 The housing project Vannkunsten from 2020 includes nine houses in three different sizes. The project has been awarded for its emphasis on sustainability and reuse, and seeks to join the city and the fjord together. Photo: Stian Lysberg Solum, NTB

The stroll along the harbor promenade also took the company past the Oslo sauna association and their "fjord saunas". Their new sauna "Trosten" was designed by the same architect as the Munch Museum, Estudio Herreros, and is Oslo's first universally designed sauna.

 The royal party stopped at the Oslo sauna association's new sauna "Trosten" - the city's first universally designed sauna. Photo: Stian Lysberg Solum / NTB

The excursion also included a walk on roof of the Oslo Opera House - very special urban space that provides the public with a unique view of the harbor and the city. The Opera's children's choir and the Copenhagen Boys' Choir treated the Danish King and Queen, Queen Sonja, Crown Prince Haakon and Crown Princess Mette-Marit to a short concert up on the roof.

King Frederik and Queen Mary on the Opera roof. Photo: Stian Lysberg Solum / NTB

Recption on board Dannebrog

Wednesday evening, the state visit concluded with a reception on board the Danish Royal Yacht Dannebrog. King Harald and Queen Sonja, Crown Prince Haakon and Crown Princess Mette-Marit were all in attendance.

Queen Sonja and Crown Princess Mette-Marit arrive for the reception on board the Royal Yacht Dannebrog. Photo: Stian Lysberg Solum / NTB