Photo: Matti Matikainen
Forging their own rings: The Duchess of Edinburgh and Finland's First Lady
The Duchess of Edinburgh and Suzanne Innes-Stubb, wife of Finland's President, tasted ice cream made with protein from the air and forged silver rings. "I'm ambidextrous," the Duchess explained when she did not know which hand to use.
The Duchess of Edinburgh spent Tuesday with Suzanne Innes-Stubb, wife of Finland's President Alexander Stubb. They tasted "ice cream" made with protein from the air, and each forged a silver ring at a jewellery factory in Helsinki.
The Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh are on a three-day visit to Finland to celebrate the close relationship between the United Kingdom and Finland. The visit began on Monday and lasts until Wednesday.
A café to start the day
The day began at nine o'clock at IPI Kulmakuppila, a café in Helsinki where people who need extra support can learn and work. According to Seiska, the Duchess arrived early and took time to greet and chat with all the staff. There were jokes and laughter, and she happily posed for photos with them.
Ice cream made from air
Next came Solar Foods in Vantaa, just north of Helsinki. The company makes a protein powder using microbes that are fed carbon dioxide from the air and energy from electricity. The aim is to produce food without using farmland.
The Duchess and the President's wife tasted an ice cream made with the protein. The Duchess studied the portion closely, and agreed with the chef that the protein does not have an overpowering taste.
"I'm ambidextrous"
Finally they visited the factory of jewellery maker Kalevala Koru in Helsinki. CEO Kirsi Paakkari told them about the company's history and its charity work, which clearly made an impression on the Duchess. "Jewellery is meant to be worn, not to lie in a drawer," she said as she looked at the pieces.
Then they got to try for themselves. With help from goldsmiths Taru Harmaala and Elisa Karppinen, they each forged a silver ring. At first the Duchess did not know which hand to hold the hammer in. "I'm ambidextrous," she explained. "It doesn't exactly make life easier." Suzanne Innes-Stubb was not entirely sure of her own skills either. "This is going fine, but I won't be changing my day job," she said, laughing. The rings will be finished by a smith and sent to them.
The Duke travelled to Oulu
Prince Edward had his own programme the same day. He travelled to Oulu in northern Finland, where he was to visit the newly opened museum and science centre Tiima and the design centre Proto.
The evening before, the Duke and Duchess attended a reception at the British Ambassador's Residence in Helsinki, which turns one hundred this year. Earlier that day they had met President Stubb and his wife, and were shown around Helsinki City Hall. The couple last visited Finland in 2015.