Prince Albert and Charlene Begin Lapland Tour to Promote Environmental Sustainability

Monaco's Prince Albert and Princess Charlene started their Finland tour on 24 March, 2012 in order to address issues related to environmental sustainability like climate change and environmental protection.

They started their tour with a visit to the municipality of Enontekiö in Lapland, where a traditional reindeer race took place in the Sámi village of Hetta. Following the race, they continued with a visit to Kautokeino, Northern Norway. Here, they will reportedly interact with reindeer herders about the challenges that climate change and industrialisation pose to reindeer husbandry.

The prince will further study how the lifestyle of the Arctic's indigenous Sami people, largely reindeer herders, is being affected by climate change.

He will also take part in a conference with the "World Indigenous Television Broadcasting Conference" where he will discuss about the issue "Adapting to climate change and protection of the Arctic."

Reindeer husbandry is vital for the life and economy of Arctic indigenous communities as thousands of individuals are involved in the profession. New knowledge and modes related to changes in climate and land use will be important for the sustainable management of the North.

Earlier, the prince and Charlene attended the 2012 Rose Ball held in Monte Carlo along with Princess Caroline of Hanover and Caroline's daughter Charlotte Casiraghi. The ball which is a traditional annual charity event in aid of the Foundation Princess Grace was a star-studded event where many aristocratic guests and A-listers came together in order to raise funds for the foundation.

Catch a glimpse of the royal couple's tour of Finland along with glimpses of the Rose Ball event: