The Visit of Her Majesty Queen Sonja

Her Royal Highness Queen Sonja is the Red Cross Nordic United World College’s patron. She opened the college formally on September 30th, 1995. Queen Sonja has supported the college from its earliest days and has consistently spoken positively about the United World College and our college in particular. Since 1993, she has visited Haugland six times, and has expressed a desire to meet every single student who graduates from our institution. It was a great honour and pleasure to be able to welcome her back for an official two day visit to the College on the 18th and 19th of March of 2004.

A further pleasant surprise was in store for us later in the year at Christmas. The traditional televised review of the Royal family’s year included a five minute section recorded during the Queen’s visit and an extended interview in the Becker House.This was broadcast across Norway on NRK, the national channel at prime time.

As this was an official visit, it meant that a host of other old friends were able to join us in this celebration in Flekke. Although Security was low-key, it was ever-present. The Queen followed a busy programme. On arrival she met with some of the staff in the Staff Room and then ate Supper in the Kantine with the students, she then attended the Premiere of the International Show in the Leif Høegh.The Queen was particularly impressed by the Show. To finish the evening she then returned to the Kantine to meet with even more students and [Staff Master List]. The following day she was able to attend classes in Environmental Systems, English and Nynorsk. Next followed a series of meetings with students and guests involved in the Peace Corps China Project, the Sogn og Fjordane Red Cross and SOS Barnebyar.The Queen then visited our close neighbour, the Red Cross Haugland Rehabilitation Centre for part of the morning. To conclude her visit, she gave a Press Conference. Asked why this College is so important to her, Queen Sonja’s emphatic reply stunned us all. ‘This college is important to me, it is important to Norway and UWC is important to the World!’

In particular, the official visit was perceived as signifying strong support of RCNUWC’s activities following the ‘shock’ of autumn 2003, when the school’s existence was threatened.