Public can meet Swedish crown princess couple in Vaasa

Members of the public will have their best chance to see Sweden’s Crown Princess Victoria and Prince Daniel in Vaasa on Friday at Hovioikeudenpuistikko, Yle reports. The couple will walk from Vaasa Court of Appeal to their car, greeting people along the way.

The walk is expected to begin at about 10.20am and was requested by Victoria herself, according to Christina Knookala, who is coordinating the visit for the City of Vaasa.

“The message came clearly from the royal court that she specifically wanted to do this here in Vaasa,” Knookala said.

People may also see the couple slightly earlier in Hovioikeudenpuisto, where Victoria will plant a tree after the court visit at about 10.15am. Knookala said there would be plenty of space in the park.

The couple’s other stops will be closed events. They will visit Vaasa Court of Appeal, which is marking its 250th anniversary, and Wärtsilä’s facilities in Vaskiluoto. The visit will end with lunch at Maaherrantalo.

Knookala returned from retirement to organise visit

Knookala retired at the end of the year from her position as director of education and culture for the City of Vaasa. However, Mayor Tomas Häyry asked her to return to work to organise the royal visit.

“It really didn’t take long to decide. I immediately said yes, gladly,” Knookala said.

She had already been involved in the early preparations two years ago, when Vaasa sent an invitation to the crown princess couple. The city drew up a list of potential destinations, with the Court of Appeal’s anniversary as the main reason for the invitation.

Once the couple’s schedule was confirmed, the number of destinations had to be reduced. In addition to the court visit and lunch, only one main destination could be included, and Wärtsilä was selected.

Royal court closely involved in preparations

Knookala last organised a royal visit to Vaasa 20 years ago, when King Carl XVI Gustaf and Queen Silvia of Sweden visited the city. That visit lasted longer, included more destinations and featured a large dinner at Vaasa City Hall.

Security arrangements for the current visit are largely similar to those used two decades ago. A new element is a ban on drones.

The Swedish royal court has been closely involved throughout the preparations and is aware of every step the couple will take in Vaasa, Knookala said. She added that organising the visit required cooperation between a large number of organisations.

“It is great to see how all the partners are doing their best and are genuinely enthusiastic about the preparations,” she said.