Scandinavian Royals Behind New Polar Book

Written by Anita Thorolvsen Munch, Journalist

Published: 25.11.2009

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Far from their royal duties Norwegian Crown Prince Haakon, Swedish Crown Princess Victoria and Danish Crown Prince Frederik have felt the arctic wind on their cheeks and discussed climate change with polar researchers. Now, the three have published a book about their arctic travels.

In 2008, the three heirs to the Scandinavian thrones joined researchers onboard the ice-breaker Oden for a five-day expedition in the waters off the coast of the Svalbard archipelago. Last summer they visited Greenland to focus on climate change in Greenland and the consequences for people living there.

Now their journeys to the Arctic has resulted in the book "Royal Polar Expedition", published in Denmark, Norway and Sweden.

- Crown Princess Victoria, Crown Prince Frederik and I have been on two amazing trips to the Arctic. Now the book has arrived!, the Crown Prince stated on the social networks Twitter and Facebook.

As traveling companions the three heirs had some of Scandinavia's leading polar researchers. The Journeys were part of a joint Nordic celebration of the International Polar Year.

Photo: Karine Nigar Aarskog
Patrons of the International Polar Year
The heirs, all of whom are serving as the Royal patrons for the International Polar Year for their respective countries, has contributed with a chapter each in the book. Here they share impressions from their meetings with the ice, the melting and the local population.

Former UN Secretary General Kofi A. Annan, has written the foreword.

In addition, researchers Pål Prestrud from Norway, Minik T. Rosing from Denmark and Anders Karl Nordqvist from Sweden have contributed with chapters concerning the Earth's climate development, the current situation, research in progress, and which measures can be implemented to protect these vulnerable areas in a better way.

Photographer Veronica Melå, accompanied the heirs on both tours and has taken all the pictures in the book. Proceeds from the book will go to charity.

Intense listening onboard the Ice-breaker Oden. Right: the leader of the Swedish Polar Research Secretariat, Anders Karlquist.Photo: Veronica Melå
Intense listening onboard the Ice-breaker Oden. Right: the leader of the Swedish Polar Research Secretariat, Anders Karlquist.
Royal warning
In addition to describing their experiences, the Royal heirs take the opportunity to give warnings about climate change and how it affects our planet.

In his chapter, Crown Prince Haakon expresses his concern and encourages not to wait for solutions.

"It's all about calculating risks, and finding solutions based on the knowledge we allready have," he writes.

He urges to find solutions, not only across national boundaries but also across disciplines, political points of view and opinions.

"It's not about finding the absolute truth. The climate system is far too complex for that. "It's about calculating risks, and finding solutions based on knowledge we have," he writes.

Last updated: 25.11.2009

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