Haakon Takes Children to Semiaden 2009

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When Crown Prince Haakon went to witness a demonstration by the Norwegian Air Ambulance this morning, he had no idea he would be picked to take part in the mock rescue mission.

But he participated anyway, and did not regret it.

“I think it was fun to be able to be lifted out of the water by a helicopter – I have never done before. And so I think it’s nice to be with and see up close the quality of the important work that Air ambulance perform,” Haakon said afterwards.

The Crown Prince wore a special yellow suit that helped him stay afloat in the water. A helicopter came by and a rescue worker fished Haakon out of the water. He was then lifted into the helicopter.

Cheering him on were his two children, Princess Ingrid Alexandra and Prince Sverre Magnus. At one point, they asked their father if he was freezing. But he was too far out in the water to hear them.

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This was the 31st commemoration of the Norwegian Air Ambulance. The event took place not too far from Haakon’s palace in Skaugum. Given the rainy conditions, the Crown Prince’s mock rescue looked realistic.

“We were very happy that he posed. It is an important signal that the crown prince shares our opinion, that it is safe, that he will participate as a marker and information officer,” said Marte Ramborg of the Air Ambulance.