On the eve of Sami National Day (Feb 6) the Norwegian Crown Prince Haakon Magnus and Crown Princess left Kautokeino yesterday after an eventful visit that included an introduction to reindeer husbandry by ICR Director Anders Oskal and Association of World Reindeer Herders General Secretary Johan Mathis Turi in a lavvu with a slideslow through the smoke and fire. Oskal and Turi presented the royals with a Nenets lassoo made of reindeer leather and silver reindeer lassoo rings.
 

This was followed by a visit to the winter pastures of Ardni siida, where they were hosted by Karen Anne Logje Gaup, who has hosted visiting royals in the late 1960's. En route to Badasjohka, the visiting royals were treated to an open air EALAT workshop by project leaders Ole Henrik Magga and Svein Mathiesen.Inger Marie Eira Gaup and one of her elder informants Isak Mathis gave a visual demonstration of the importance of snow, climate variability and temperature to reindeer husbandry.

The visit ended with food and reindeer driving at the tundra cabin of Ardni siida  where the royal visitors tried out reindeer sledging (and falling, as the Prince's draught reindeer took a corner at speed, unceremoniously ditching his royal passenger into the snow). This may or nay not be related to the Prince's comment to the press later when he sad that 'Norwegians have a lot to learn from the Sami'as he discussed with media (Sami, Norwegian, Dutch and English) his reflections on the day. He also commented about what he learned about Sami traditions, climate and reindeer husbandry.
 

The event was widely covered in the press and TV media.

Pictures on the Reindeer Portal here

NRK Sami Radio – Barna snakker om Mette-Marit (4 feb) 
Associated Press Crown Prince Haakon and Crown Princess Mette-Marit in Kautokeino, at the start of their official tour of the Finnmark area in northern Norway Thursday (5 Feb)
Associated Press Reindeer herding Sami celebrate national day (6 Feb)
NRK Sami Radio Talte i minus 30 på samisk (5 Feb) 
Aftenposten Varm mottakelse i kulda (5 Feb) 
VG Hyller Mette-Marit i sameklær (5 Feb) 
VG Knall og fall for Kronprinsparet på viddetur (5 Feb) 
VG Mette-Marit varmet Nils Åke (5) Kuldesjokk for kronprinsparet i Finmark (5 Feb)

NRK Sami Radio - Buori álbmotbeaivvi! (6 Feb)

Nordlys - Kongelig knall og fall på viddetur (6 Feb)
TV 2 News - Gratulerer, samer! (6 Feb)
TV 2 Sumo Kronprinsparet inntok Sameland (6 Feb) 
Aftenposten TV Kronprinsparet på reintur (6 Feb)
Aftenposten TV Kronprinsen: - Jeg ble ikke så redd

Avvir - Beaskaprinseassa liggii buolasis (6 Feb)

Altaposten - Trostet av Mette Marit (5 Feb)
Royalty in the News Norway's Crown Princely Couple Brave the Cold in Finnmark (Feb 7)
Hello Magazine Haakon and Mette-Marit mark regional national day with the Sami (Feb 6)