"Moomin stuff" for Princess Victoria
On Tuesday, President Tarja Halonen made the final bilateral working visit of her presidency to Stockholm, where she attended a luncheon hosted by the Swedish royal family. During the gathering, President Halonen presented the pregnant Princess Victoria with what she called "Moomin stuff."
The due date for Princess Victoria is within the next two weeks and Tuesday's luncheon with President Halonen was the last time that the heir to the Swedish throne is expected to take part in an official occasion before the birth of her first child.
President Halonen told the press in Stockholm that the Princess seemed calm and relaxed. Halonen said that she had made a gift to the soon-to-be parents and grandparents of what she termed "Moomin stuff," referring to the whimsical characters of books by Finnish illustrator and author Tove Jansson.
"Some eating utensils for the coming child, and for the parents and grandparents, something that they can drink coffee from," President Halonen revealed of the baby gift.
The outgoing president was on the final leg of a series of visits to neighbouring countries before she leaves office. She has already carried out farewell visits to Estonia and Russia.
Finland's newly-elected president, Sauli Niinistö, takes office on March 1st and his first foreign visits will also be to Finland's neighbouring countries. He is likely to meet the Swedish royal family in April.
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