27 September 2021

The King and Queen visit Norrbotten County

On Monday 27 September, The King and Queen visited Norrbotten County to highlight initiatives being carried out in connection with the Covid-19 pandemic.

The Queen meets one of the pigs at Bälinge Farm.

The Queen meets one of the pigs at Bälinge Farm. Photo: Pelle T Nilsson/SPA

The King and Queen's visit took place in Luleå Municipality, and was hosted by County Governor Lotta Finstorp and her husband Christer Dahlén.

The King and Queen are welcomed to Sunderby Hospital in Luleå.

The King and Queen are welcomed to Sunderby Hospital in Luleå. Photo: Pär Bäckström/TT

Sunderby Hospital

The King and Queen began the day by visiting Sunderby Hospital, where they were welcomed by Regional Director Anna-Stina Nordmark Nilsson and Head of Division Per Berglund.

There, The King and Queen spoke with care workers about how healthcare in the county has been affected during the pandemic.

The Queen and County Governor Lotta Finstorp with care workers during the visit to Sunderby Hospital.

The Queen and County Governor Lotta Finstorp with care workers during the visit to Sunderby Hospital. Photo: Pär Bäckström/TT

The King and Queen speak with care workers about their work during the Covid-19 pandemic.

The King and Queen speak with care workers about their work during the Covid-19 pandemic. Photo: Pelle T Nilsson/SPA

Bälinge Farm

The King and Queen then visited Bälinge Farm, where they were welcomed by farmers Britta-Karin Staffansdotter and Thomas Holmbom. The King and Queen spoke with the farmers about how industry and the regional food supply chain have been affected during the pandemic. Before lunch, which was served at the restaurant in a converted barn, The King and Queen were given a tour of the farm.

The King and Queen and the County Governor with farmers Thomas Holmbom and Britta-Karin Jakobsson, as well as Johan Hermansson and Hulda Wirsén.

The King and Queen and the County Governor with farmers Thomas Holmbom and Britta-Karin Jakobsson, as well as Johan Hermansson and Hulda Wirsén. Photo: Pär Bäckström/TT

The King and Queen are given a tour of Bälinge Farm.

The King and Queen are given a tour of Bälinge Farm. Photo: Pelle T Nilsson/SPA

Luleå University of Technology

The afternoon began with The King and Queen visiting Luleå University of Technology, where they were welcomed by Vice-Chancellor Birgitta Bergvall-Kåreborn.

The King and Vice-Chancellor Birgitta Bergvall-Kåreborn during the visit to Luleå University of Technology.

The King and Vice-Chancellor Birgitta Bergvall-Kåreborn during the visit to Luleå University of Technology. Photo: Pelle T Nilsson/SPA

During their visit to the university, which celebrates its 50th anniversary this year, The King and Queen learnt about how the pandemic has affected schools and higher education within the county. Teachers and students spoke about how the transition to distance learning has worked.

The King and Queen are given a demonstration of an autonomous forest machine.

The King and Queen are given a demonstration of an autonomous forest machine. Photo: Pelle T Nilsson/SPA

The King and Queen were then given a demonstration of an autonomous forest machine. Professor of Computer Aided Design Magnus Karlberg explained how the machine works, together with students from the civil engineering programme.

Luleå Kallax Airport

The final visit of the day was to the air ambulance base at Luleå Kallax Airport, where The King and Queen were welcomed by Agneta Karlfeldt and Ida Lyckeholt.

Staff at Luleå Kallax air ambulance base describe operations.

Staff at Luleå Kallax air ambulance base describe operations. Photo: Pelle T Nilsson/SPA

The King and Queen met pilots who talked about the importance of the air ambulance for northern Sweden, and about their work during the pandemic.

The King and Queen and the County Governor with air ambulance staff.

The King and Queen and the County Governor with air ambulance staff. Photo: Pelle T Nilsson/SPA

The King and Queen and the County Governor with air ambulance staff.

The King and Queen and the County Governor with air ambulance staff. Photo: Pelle T Nilsson/SPA

The Royal Family visit Sweden's counties

In connection with the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic, members of the Royal Family will be visiting Sweden's 21 counties at the initiative of HM The King.

The first four visits took place in autumn 2020, but subsequent visits were postponed due to the second wave of the pandemic. The visit to Kalmar marked the resumption of visits to Sweden's counties during autumn 2021.

Through these visits, The King hopes to show the Royal Family's solidarity with those who have been affected and to highlight local initiatives within different sectors of society.

All visits will be adapted in view of the ongoing pandemic, and will be carried out in accordance with the Public Health Agency of Sweden's recommendations.