Royal Visits from Norway

Celebration Convocation Honoring H.R.H. Crown Prince Haakon

The Crown Prince received an honorary doctorate from Luther College on October 6, 2025 — 60 years after Crown Prince Haakon’s father, King Harald, then the Crown Prince.

History of Norway’s Royal Family Visits to Decorah and Luther College

Crown Prince Olav and Princess Märtha: May 6-7, 1939
Crown Prince Olav and his wife, Princess Märtha, stayed in Decorah while on their first United States tour. The Crown Prince brought gifts for the Norwegian-American Historical Museum, now the Vesterheim Norwegian-American Museum and Folk Art School, from the National Association of Museums in Norway. While they were in Decorah, Luther College conferred an honorary degree upon the Crown Prince.

Crown Prince Harald: Oct. 6, 1965
Crown Prince Harald visited the Vesterheim Norwegian-American Museum and Luther College, where an honorary degree was conferred upon him.

King Olav V: May 4, 1968
King Olav V visited Luther College and the Vesterheim Norwegian-American Museum.

King Olav V: Oct. 14, 1975
King Olav V visited Luther College as it laid the cornerstone for the Center for Faith and Life. The King then participated in the dedication ceremonies at the newly restored Vesterheim Norwegian-American Museum.

King Olav V: Nov. 28, 1987
King Olav V visited Luther College and the Vesterheim Norwegian-American Museum.

King Harald V and Queen Sonja: Oct. 19, 1995
King Harald V and Queen Sonja visited Luther College and the Vesterheim Norwegian-American Museum.

Crown Prince Haakon: June 10, 1999
Crown Prince Haakon visited Decorah for the city’s sesquicentennial celebration. The visit included a tour of Luther College and the Vesterheim Norwegian-American Museum. The Crown Prince dedicated Vesterheim’s Amdal-Odland Heritage Center, and he laid the cornerstone for Luther’s Baker Village.

King Harald V and Queen Sonja: Oct. 13, 2011
King Harald V and Queen Sonja visited Decorah as part of Luther’s sesquicentennial celebration. Queen Sonja presided at a ribbon-cutting ceremony for Vesterheim’s Asbjørnsen Gallery.

Crown Prince Haakon: Oct. 6, 2025
Crown Prince Haakon visited Decorah to mark the 200th anniversary of the first organized Norwegian emigration to the United States. He presided at a ribbon cutting for the Royal Family Samlingshall in Hanson Vesterheim Commons, and Luther College awarded him an honorary degree and unveiled a cornerstone for the planned renovation of Campus House into the new home of the Torgerson Center for Nordic Studies. 

Images from the Luther College Archives

Crown Prince Olav receives a Luther College honorary degree from President O. J. H. Preus, 1939.

Crown Princess Martha and Crown Prince Olav exit the C. K. Preus Gymnasium at Luther College, 1939.

Crown Prince Harald greets President E. D. Farwell outside of the Luther College Field House, 1965.

King Olav speaks at the ceremony for the Center for Faith and Life cornerstone, 1975.

Luther College gives a joyful Norse welcome to Crown Prince Haakon, Oct. 6, 2025.