The Norwegian King and Queen to Participate in the Historic Departure of Restauration from Stavanger on July 4, 2025
We are delighted to announce that Their Majesties King Harald and Queen Sonja have confirmed their attendance at the Restauration departure from Stavanger on July 4, 2025. This special voyage commemorates the 200th anniversary of the historic emigration aboard the sloop Restauration in 1825, when Norwegian pioneers set sail for America in search of a better life.
This event is a key part of the 200th anniversary celebration of the beginning of the great Norwegian emigration to America in modern times. The “Crossings 200” commemoration will take place throughout 2025 in both the USA and Norway.

Photo: Jørgen Gomnæs / The Royal Court
Following the same route as our ancestors sailed, the sloop will make stops at Tangen 7 in Dusavik with the BRI Group and Randaberg Municipality, followed by a Farewell Celebration at Tungenes before the next stop at Kvitsøy. The sloop will then head west across the sea to Falmouth, England, and Funchal, Madeira, in Portugal. From there, it will cross the Atlantic Ocean toward Nassau, Wilmington, Atlantic City, New Jersey, and finally, sail past the Statue of Liberty to South Street Seaport Museum in Manhattan, New York. This journey offers an opportunity to reflect on important themes such as freedom of expression, migration, and hope in a modern light. The Restauration Friends Association is a proud participant in Crossings 200 and sees this as an opportunity to connect the past with the present while highlighting the Norwegian spirit for both the local community and an international audience.
The voyage symbolizes something deeply meaningful to us—not just as a tribute to our ancestors, but as a living reminder of courage and community. For us, this is an opportunity to strengthen local pride, unite the region, and share our cultural heritage with the world.