Oslo is colder than ‘freezing’ Scotland, shivers chilly Kate
THE Duchess of Cambridge yesterday described Oslo as even colder than the “freezing” Scotland she knew in her student days.
Kate, six months pregnant with her third child, was on a walkabout with William meeting Norwegian students.
Screams and shouts greeted their arrival at Hartvig Nissen School where they met the stars of a Norwegian drama.
After asking one what he was studying Kate, in a Dolce & Gabbana coat, said: “I did physics and chemistry A-level, no not physics – biology.”
She said: “I went to a school called Marlborough College and then on to university which is where I met William, to St Andrews university in Scotland.
“Miles away, freezing cold. But I can’t complain about that being here. It’s much colder here.”
Crown Prince Haakon and Crown Princess Mette-Marit also met the teenagers.
In the school William and Kate learnt about TV series Skam and its issues including mental illness, homophobia and sexual assault. Later the royal couple took in views and watched some ski jumping.
They went to the top of a jump at Holmenkollen above the Norwegian capital to watch winter sports.
On a balcony at the start house 210ft above ground they saw Anniken Mork race down at 56mph, jump and land 120 yards later.
Amazing
“Good luck. You’ve got this,” Prince William told her as she set off. As she flew into midair Kate clapped with delight and the Duke said: “Wow. That was amazing.”
After they chatted with Anniken, 27, and former world champion Rune Velta, 28, Kate made a snowball and threw it at William. “It’s too cold for snowballs,” he said, smiling and threw one back.
Posing for a group picture, William complimented photographer Krister Sorbo on his long ginger facial hair. “Wow, what a beard!” William said.
“Me and your brother,” the photographer replied.
They went down to the foot of the jump, where up to 70,000 watch big events, and saw under-18s from the Kollenhopp team landing.
Earlier in the building below, William and Kate told of their love of skiing at the world’s oldest ski museum.
They indulged in friendly rivalry with Haakon and Mette-Marit, who are both 44.
Asked whether they skied themselves, William said they tended to visit the Alps while Kate admitted they had never tried cross-country skiing.
They also ski in Scotland, she added, “through the heather”.
At the Roald Amundsen Expedition exhibit they were reminded the Norwegians beat the British to the South Pole.
Princess Mette-Marit, who had perhaps laughed a little too loudly, told the Duke: “I’m sorry.” He replied: “No no, quite right.”