Crown Prince Haakon celebrates 200 years of Norwegian immigration in New York

Crown Prince Haakon celebrates 200 years of Norwegian immigration in New York

On October 9, 2025, Crown Prince Haakon of Norway, full name Haakon Magnus, celebrated the arrival of the sailing ship Restauration in the Hudson River, exactly 200 years after that ship's first voyage from Norway. This re-enactment of a historic moment was attended by thousands of people on the quays of New York who gathered to enjoy the celebrations. The restoration, which is 16 meters long and 5 meters wide, is a replica of the original ship that departed Stavanger on July 4, 1825 with 52 passengers, bringing the first Norwegian immigrants to the United States. When it arrived in New York, a child had been born, so there were 53 people on board.

In his speech, Crown Prince Haakon, married to Crown Princess Mette-Marit, emphasized the great importance of Norwegian immigration for bilateral relations between the USA and Norway. These first immigrants became cornerstones of a relationship that has grown over the past 200 years. From 1825 to 1925, an estimated 800,000 Norwegians settled in America, while approximately 4.5 million Americans are of Norwegian descent.

Crown Prince Haakon and Norwegian immigration

The Crown Prince was present at the arrival of the Restoration, which docked in New York 98 days after its departure from Stavanger. Before his visit to New York, Haakon visited Iowa and Minnesota, where many descendants of Norwegian immigrants live. Interestingly, Brooklyn was once the third largest Norwegian city in the world after Oslo and Bergen.

Haakon, born on July 20, 1973 in Oslo, is a member of the House of Schleswig-Holstein-Sonderburg-Glücksburg and is the son of King Harald V and Queen Sonja. His commitment to social issues is also evident in his role as a Goodwill Ambassador for the United Nations Development Program, where he visited various countries to raise awareness of global development goals.

The Restoration and its legacy

The ship Restoration, piloted by Lars Geilane, who previously lived in England and belonged to the Quaker community, symbolizes the beginnings of Norwegian immigration to the USA. Today's celebration highlights the deep historical roots and enduring connection between Norway and the United States. Crown Prince Haakon expressly thanked the city of New York for welcoming the Norwegian immigrants and acknowledged their significant influence on American society.