[ST. PAUL, MN] – Governor Tim Walz today met with Her Majesty Queen Sonja of Norway to discuss the importance of Minnesota’s relationship with Norway and highlight opportunities to enhance exchanges between Minnesota and Norway. Their meeting kicked off the Queen’s four-day visit to Minnesota. Photos from today’s meeting are attached and linked here .

“It was an honor to meet with Her Majesty Queen Sonja of Norway today,” said Governor Walz. “From Minnesota’s longstanding cultural and social ties to Norway to our 49-year-long National Guard exchange, I am proud of Minnesota’s extraordinary relationship with Norway and look forward to further strengthening and expanding our ties.”

Queen Sonja is visiting Minnesota from October 13-16 to mark Norway’s strong ties with the Norwegian-American community in Minnesota and the United States. This is the Queen’s fourth visit to Minnesota. Queen Sonja previously visited with King Harald V in 2011 and 1995, and first visited in 1978 as Crown Princess of Norway.

During her four-day stay in Minnesota, the Queen will visit St. Olaf College, attend an event commemorating the 100th anniversary of the founding of the Norwegian Lutheran Memorial Church, “Mindekirken,”and participate in the grand opening of the expansion of Norway House in Minneapolis, a hub for Norwegian art, culture, and business in the Midwest.