The Crown Prince couple visited Danish founded institutions on their recent visit to the US whilst still finding time to promote environmental issues

Crown Prince Frederik and Princess Mary were given a taste of the US ‘Danish style’ during their visit to the US Midwest, including visiting institutions founded by Danes in the 19th century.

The flight to Chicago was initially delayed due to a bomb hoax, but the couple were safely met in Chicago by Denmark’s ambassador to the US, Friis Arne Petersen and his wife, Birgitte Wilhelmsen.

The four later attended a special climate and energy conference, arranged by the City of Chicago and the Washington DC Danish embassy. At the conference, Frederik emphasised the need for green awareness and took the opportunity to promote the upcoming UN Climate Summit in Copenhagen in December.

Later, the royal couple visited The Danish Home in Chicago. The elderly care centre, established in 1891, was previously visited by Queen Margrethe and Prince Henrik in 1976.

‘The Danish Home is one of the few communities in the United States to have been founded by Danish immigrants’ the Crown Prince told the residents. ‘To me, The Danish Home is but one example of a long lasting and profound affinity between the peoples of America and Denmark.’

Frederik - who was still hopping around on crutches from a sledding mishap - told the gatherers that the Danish Home offered a care deeply rooted in Danish traditions.

'It is more than just a place to live, it is a way of life. There are frequent outings to restaurants, museums and theatres - all of which allow residents to remain active members of the city.’

From Chicago, the pair travelled to Iowa, which boasts three predominantly Danish-American communities: Ames, Elk Horn and Kimballton. But the couple’s stop this year was at Dana College in Des Moines, Iowa, founded in 1896 by members of the United Danish Evangelical Lutheran Church.

After leaving Iowa, Frederik and Mary moved on to Nebraska, where they visited Grand View College in the town of Blair - also founded by the Danish church in 1896.

‘States like Iowa and Nebraska boast numerous examples of Danish settlements,’ said the Crown Prince. ‘Both universities have made great strides to become highly recognized institutions of higher learning, as well as strengthening ties between Denmark and the United States.’

The royal couple are scheduled to visit Novozymes’ plant in Nebraska and Vestas’ location in Colorado before flying back home on Friday.