Earl and Countess of Wessex: Visit to Finland - February 2-6, 2015


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dazzling

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Earl and Countess of Wessex Visit to Finland
February 2 - 6, 2015

Source​
 
According to Royal Diary, Earl will be in Finland from 2-6 while Countess 2-5.
2nd -4th February - Ed & Sophie will be together. While 5-6th February Edward will attend solo engagements. Not sure what was planned for Sophie, or there was a change in plans and she will simply return to UK on the 5th.
 
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Sophie will likely come back on the 5th February morning while Edward continues with more engagements. Unsure as to why Sophie is leaving sooner but she likely has other commitments.
 
This is from the Court Circular for the 30th Janaury - they are already in Finland. This is not on the royal.gov.uk website.

Buckingham Palace
30th January, 2015
The Earl and Countess of Wessex this morning left Heathrow Airport, London, for Finland and later arrived at Helsinki-Vantaa Airport and were received by Her Majesty’s Ambassador to the Republic of Finland (Her Excellency Miss Sarah Price).

Their Royal Highnesses this afternoon called upon The President of the Republic of Finland at the Presidential Palace.

The Earl of Wessex, Trustee, and The Countess of Wessex, Global Ambassador, The Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award Foundation, later attended a Reception at the Government Banquet Hall, Elelaesplandadi, Helsinki.

Their Royal Highnesses this evening attended a Dinner given by Her Majesty’s Ambassador at the Residence in Helsinki.
 
That must be wrong information. The weekly program of the President of Finland is published on every Monday and there was no mention about that they would come already this week. The president's website is updated very well and there is no mention that he would have met Edward and Sophie.
 
:previous: Published Court Circular from The Times. That's all I know.

EDIT
I've had another look and the announcement may have been posted too soon.

Usually, the CC is in strict order of precedence but the event carried out by Princess Royal comes before that of the Wessexes - which is wrong. But the dates are the same.

Most odd. Here is the entire day to show what I mean.

Sandringham, Norfolk
30th January, 2015
The Prince of Wales, on behalf of The Queen, held an Investiture at Buckingham Palace this morning.

Clarence House
30th January, 2015
The Prince of Wales this afternoon received Mr Serge Pun (Executive Chairman, Yoma Strategic Holdings Limited).

Buckingham Palace
30th January, 2015
The Princess Royal, Honorary Air Commodore, Royal Air Force Brize Norton, this morning attended 10 Squadron Centenary Parade and presented a new Squadron Standard, at Royal Air Force Brize Norton, Carterton, Oxfordshire.

Buckingham Palace
30th January, 2015
The Earl and Countess of Wessex this morning left Heathrow Airport, London, for Finland and later arrived at Helsinki-Vantaa Airport and were received by Her Majesty’s Ambassador to the Republic of Finland (Her Excellency Miss Sarah Price).

Their Royal Highnesses this afternoon called upon The President of the Republic of Finland at the Presidential Palace.

The Earl of Wessex, Trustee, and The Countess of Wessex, Global Ambassador, The Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award Foundation, later attended a Reception at the Government Banquet Hall, Elelaesplandadi, Helsinki.

Their Royal Highnesses this evening attended a Dinner given by Her Majesty’s Ambassador at the Residence in Helsinki.
 
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Yes, looks like they posted this info too soon. All those engagements are scheduled on Monday. Someone sent it too soon. Who handles the cc must not bevery bright, constant problems...
 
:previous: Definite error as Countess of Wessex was in France on 31st January. Posted on the current events thread.
 
The Earl and Countess of Wessex met president Sauli Niinistö and his wife Jenni Haukio at the Presidential Palace, photos from the Twitter of the President of the Republic of Finland.
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/B82PCYlIAAIYrj-.jpg
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/B82PCaYIYAARbwr.jpg
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/B82PCaJIEAARmJr.jpg
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/B82PCbTIgAAhqno.jpg

Bigger versions of these photos at the President's Flickr
https://www.flickr.com/search?text=wessexin jaarlin

From the website of the President
Presidenttipari tapasi Wessexin jaarlin ja kreivittären - Suomen tasavallan presidentti

Iltasanomat writes that the meeting was relaxed.
- It is a great honor and pleasure to meet you, Mrs. Jenni Haukio greeted the royals.
President Sauli Niinistö regretted the rainy weather of Helsinki.
- We are used to all types of weather, Prince Edward said.
After the greetings the President and his wife hosted the five o'clock tea.
Brittikuninkaalliset Suomessa Leppoisa tapaaminen presidenttiparin kanssa - Viihde - Ilta-Sanomat

Sophie ja Edward Suomessa! Presidenttipari vitsaili brittikuninkaallisille remontista ja säästä

At the Award ceremony
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/B82TT_yIcAAuH6m.jpg
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/B82VPSsIMAAkSLM.jpg
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/B82VyXqCEAEuxBF.jpg
https://fbcdn-sphotos-b-a.akamaihd...._=1428287527_256b695b819ad3563ad9d698b1fbd02b
https://fbcdn-sphotos-d-a.akamaihd...._=1433051623_20fdbd47599fe7c6e4a69567a32d90e6
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/B82gLFUIcAE-pTm.jpg
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/B82jky9CMAE4kcK.jpg:large

KUVAT Brittikuninkaalliset Suomessa – Haukio edusti pirteässä asussa - Viihde - MTV.fi

» PICTURES Prince Edward and Countess Sophie meet with the Finnish presidential couple
 
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Great pics thank you I think Sophie looks amazing as ever they both appear very comfortable love it
 
All those flashes from the camera, I wouldn't be able to see anything!

I like Sophie's dress and the scarf as I'm sure its cold in Finland.
 
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According to the official diary Edward and Sophie will have engagements in Kuusamo on wednesday but I haven't been able to find any specific info about the engagements. Journalist Rita Tainola in Iltasanomat on the other hands writes that the wednesday will be their off day. Any other information about this?
 
Hovikirjeenvaihtaj said:
According to the official diary Edward and Sophie will have engagements in Kuusamo on wednesday but I haven't been able to find any specific info about the engagements. Journalist Rita Tainola in Iltasanomat on the other hands writes that the wednesday will be their off day. Any other information about this?
Click to expand...

According to this press release from Ammattiopisto Luovi (Luovi Vocational College), Edward and Sophie visit a camp at Oivanki Outdoor Education Centre. We will see...
Prinssi Edward luovutti tunnustukset Avartti-ohjelmassa kunnostautuneille « Ammattiopisto Luovi
 
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Oh, I completely forgot that one! Thank you :)

So Tainola is wrong again, not a very big surprise though.
 
Hovikirjeenvaihtaj said:
Oh, I completely forgot that one! Thank you :)

So Tainola is wrong again, not a very big surprise though.
Click to expand...

Maybe she isn't wrong, maybe Wednesday is a press free day? I would think that the press has got the program of the visit. Maybe Edward and Sophie want the visit to the camp be relaxed without many reporters and photographers, just the organisers and embassy staff taking photos.
We will see.
 
That may be but it surely isn't leisure time for the Wessex couple. :) Propably a very nice activity but not free time.
 
LadyFinn said:
Gallery from the meeting with the president and the Award ceremony
Uutiskuvat Wessexin jaarli, prinssi Edward Suomessa Lehtikuva lehtikuva.fi

Edward and Sophie with one Award winner, Kristiina Mäkinen from Paimio
http://www.ts.fi/uutiset/kotimaa/730061/4/730276.jpg

Arriving or leaving to the Award ceremony
https://scontent-b-fra.xx.fbcdn.net...7_10152644614352322_5762691429196984976_o.jpg
Click to expand...
Hello.
Can I ask a favour, could you post not direct links to the pictures, but links so I can check who post those? Because that way, I don't know where to look for the source, and perhaps I could use the second pic in my post?
I would be very greatful.

Hovikirjeenvaihtaj said:
That may be but it surely isn't leisure time for the Wessex couple. :) Propably a very nice activity but not free time.
Click to expand...
They won't have free time, this visit is too quick. They willl attend engagements evey day, press has not been given access to every engagement however. According to Rookie only first day was with free access.
As for leisure time I read it at some Finnish article, but I'm pretty sure it's not true.

Forgot to add, here's pic from last night dinner.
https://www.facebook.com/BritishEmb...141339.205411586584/10153068975756585/?type=1

LadyFinn said:
According to this press release from Ammattiopisto Luovi (Luovi Vocational College), Edward and Sophie visit a camp at Oivanki Outdoor Education Centre. We will see...
Prinssi Edward luovutti tunnustukset Avartti-ohjelmassa kunnostautuneille « Ammattiopisto Luovi
Click to expand...
Hi, can you tell me if that camp is part of that College? Thanks.
 
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annaelfka said:
Hi, can you tell me if that camp is part of that College? Thanks.
Click to expand...

Hi, the photo is from Turun Sanomat
Englannin kuninkaalliset Edward ja Sophie kyläilevät Suomessa - Kotimaa - Turun Sanomat

The students of the College who are at the Avartti-program (= International Award for Young People), attend at a joint camp organised at the Oivanki Outdoor Education Centre. At the camp they get to know each other.

And here is a great gallery from yesterday's Award ceremony, hope you can open this. By photographer Juha Kinanen.
https://www.dropbox.com/sh/aa37kztqi09zlnk/AAC4aaj1nGY8ylfA8l2RP-d3a?dl=0
 
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Lovely photos of the ceremony - it's always nice to see the Duke of Edinburgh awards getting coverage.

Even Sophie's coat was black...she was loving the black theme yesterday!
 
I recognise it from a Remembrance Day service at some point.

I am loving Edward's winter jumper in the picture of them leaving for Lapland. It's a skiing jumper for sure.
 
Is it always this hard or is this a special occasion? I live in Finland and it almost feels like they are not here at all. Very limited media coverage. :(
 
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