On Wednesday, Crown Prince Haakon and Crown Princess Mette-Marit hosted a reception on young mental health at Skaugum. The reception was hosted in collaboration with the Council for Mental Health of which Crown Princess Mette-Marit is Patron.

In her speech, Crown Princess Mette-Marit said: “Lately, we have been extra concerned with how the pandemic has affected young people - both when it was going on, and now afterward. For us at 50, two years was perhaps not so much. But if you are 16 or 18, two years is a very long time. Especially in a phase of life where a lot of exciting things happen, and you are extra vulnerable. We all know that life can be very difficult. From time to time, anyone can need a little extra help to get out of trouble. Some have mental illnesses that require long-term professional treatment. In any case, it is important to be seen and understood, and to get the help you need so that life can be lived - after all. You who are here today are experts on what works for you. Perhaps what helps one can be an inspiration for another. Perhaps together we can create a slightly larger space, where it feels safe to talk together about what is difficult.”

Crown Princess Mette-Marit wore her Pia Tjelta black printed dress with Tom Ford glasses and her Cartier ring.