It is their chance to see the best Scandinavia has to offer, learning the ways of outdoor living, admiring their sleek design and performing the soft diplomacy so encouraged by the Foreign Office.

It is also their chance to make new friends.

As the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge embark on their tour of Sweden and Norway this week, they will aim not just to perform their formal public duties, but finally forge personal relationships with some of their closest European counterparts.

The visit will see them join a glamorous set of young European Royalty, meeting the generation they will grow up alongside until each eventually inherit the throne.

In Sweden, they will be accompanied on all but two of their public engagements by Crown Princess Victoria and Prince Daniel, while in Norway they will be escorted by Crown Prince Haakon and Crown Princess Mette-Marit.