Norway’s new king visits Arctic
The first official trip by Norway’s new king, Haakon, included a visit to Jarfjord and the Norwegian conscripts guarding the border with Russia.
“The first thing that comes to mind is that I feel very proud to represent Norway,” King Haakon told the newspaper VG when he arrived in Narvik, northern Norway, on October 13. “There are so many wonderful things that have been built up in our society. We have so much to defend and to build on,” he added.
It was the first official trip of the new king of Norway.
After Narvik, King Haakon travelled directly to Kirkenes and the Jarfjord Border Station, a base for Norwegian border guards.
He was welcomed by Captain Kari Kollbotn, commander of the station, and Lieutenant Colonel Audun Jørstad, commander of the GSV Ranger Battalion.
The king did not take questions from journalists, but Kollbotn underlined the importance of the visit for the border guards.
“It is great that His Majesty comes here to the Jarfjord Border Station. It is motivating for the soldiers and for us employees. And it reminds us about the importance of our work,” she told the Barents Observer.
As part of the visit, the king was to be shown around the station and given an introduction to the soldiers’ mission.
“He will also be introduced to our most important resource — our staff here at the station,” Captain Kollbotn emphasised.
Haakon became king of Norway following the death of his father, King Harald, on August 28.
Like his father, grandfather and great-grandfather, he adopted the motto “All for Norway”.
Haakon has visited the border with Russia on several previous occasions. In September 2021, he visited border guards in the Pasvik Valley.
The King is the Chief Commander of the Norwegian Armed Forces.
Related stories from around the North:
Canada: Canadian Inuit leader stresses unity across Arctic borders amid pressures on Greenland, Eye on the Arctic
Finland: New rail link reconnects Finland and Sweden in North, Yle News
Greenland: Macron visits Greenland show European support for Arctic island coveted by Trump, The Associated Press
Norway: Norway, church mark 200th anniversary of border treaty with Russia, The Independent Barents Observer
Russia: Barentsburg—Experiencing the Russian Arctic without entering Russia, Blog by Mia Bennett
