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Crown Princess Victoria and Prince Daniel to visit Aalto University in Espoo
The visit on Friday 21 August 2026 includes familiarising with quantum technology, space technology and ice research – topics that are strategically important to Sweden and include close research collaboration between the two countries.
Crown Princess Victoria and Prince Daniel will visit Aalto University on Friday 21 August 2026. During the visit to Finland, they will also visit Vaasa on the occasion of Vaasa Court of Appeal’s 250th anniversary.
This is the first time that Crown Princess Victoria and Prince Daniel will visit Aalto University together. The visit aims to enhance cooperation between Finland and Sweden within research, education and innovation. Prince Daniel visited Aalto in 2017 as part of his trip focused on Finnish innovation and entrepreneurship. King Carl XVI Gustaf visited Aalto University in 2014.
During their visit to Aalto University, the Crown Princess and the Prince will be familiarising themselves with quantum technology, space technology and ice research – topics that are strategically important to Sweden and Finland and include tight research collaboration between the two countries. In addition, the Crown Princess and the Prince will also hear student presentations and will meet Aalto students from Sweden.
The visit is hosted by Aalto University’s President Ilkka Niemelä and Head of Donor Engagement, Camilla Wardi.
The programme of the visit on Otaniemi campus:
- First, Professor of Quantum Technology Mikko Möttönen will showcase how decades of low‑temperature physics and quantum research have evolved into global relevance in quantum computing, sensing and industrial spin‑outs. In March, Aalto University unveiled its own AaltoQ20 quantum computer to be used for research and to educate new talent. Finland is excellently positioned as a leader in quantum technology development. Greater Helsinki area is ranked as the world’s number two quantum innovation cluster.
- Next, Doctoral Researcher Marius Anger will present on how, in just over a decade, Finland has grown into a space nation, and how satellite technology has become an important business supporting economic growth. It all started with a student project that succeeded in building Finland’s first satellite and has now grown to be a rapidly developing space technology business that could not exist without the research and innovations done at Aalto.
- The guests will also learn more from professor and director Tua Björklund about the Aalto Design Factory, an interdisciplinary product-design and learning hub, and they will view example projects by Aalto students. The Design Factory shows what Aalto University is all about, bringing art, technology and business together to solve everyday problems.
- The visit will end at the Aalto Ice and Wave Tank, which is the largest indoor ice tank in the world. Laboratory manager Otto Puolakka will show how researchers and industry test ships and other maritime structures in ice conditions. Finland is recognised worldwide as a pioneer in ice-going ship design and construction. As climate change alters ice conditions, tensions in the Arctic rise and demand for icebreakers grows, this area of Aalto University’s research and education is more relevant than ever.
There is no reserved time slot for the Crown Princess and the Prince to specifically greet the public during their visit. If you wish to catch a glimpse of the honoured guests, the best times and places are:
- Around 15:00 in front of Aalto Design Factory (Viima building), Puumiehenkuja 5, Espoo.
- Around 16:00 in front of the School of Business main entrance, Ekonominaukio 1, Espoo, as they walk by (if not raining heavily).
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