Crown Prince Haakon visited Vesterheim Museum in Decorah, Iowa. Photo: Ola Vatn, The Royal Court
On October 6, 2025, a chilly Monday morning in Decorah, Iowa, His Royal Highness Crown Prince Haakon of Norway, made an esteemed visit to Vesterheim, the National Norwegian-American Museum and Folk Art School. The Crown Prince was there to celebrate 200 years of organized emigration to the US. He also performed the ribbon cutting of The Royal Family Samlingshall in Hanson Vesterheim Commons, which is a large gathering room dedicated to the Norwegian Royal Family.
The Norwegian pride of Decorah was very apparent with the sea of Norwegian sweaters and bunads in the crowd. Crown Prince Haakon even joked he “felt almost more Norwegian there than he does at home.”
He gave an eloquent and inspirational short speech about the heritage that brings us together around a shared identity and values that will lead our relationship into the future. After the program, Crown Prince Haakon shook hands with attendees and spent time conversing with folk art demonstrators who were rosemaling, making lefse, dancing, and woodcarving.
Later that day, Crown Prince Haakon received an honorary doctorate from Luther College in Civil Law for his “commitment to human rights, environmental responsibility, and the strengthening of ties between Norway and the United States.”
Crown Prince Haakon’s visit to Decorah marks the ninth visit by a member of the Norwegian royal family since 1939.
Photo Credit: Linnea Henning