The Crown Princess was welcomed by Katarina Gårdfeldt, a professor at the Swedish Polar Research Secretariat, who explained about the secretariat's areas of expertise and ongoing assignments. The Crown Princess was also given a presentation of the current situation within polar research.

The Swedish Polar Research Secretariat is a Government agency that coordinates and promotes Swedish polar research. Its main roles are to organise and support research expeditions to the polar regions, and to take responsibility for research infrastructure. The secretariat also provides suitable conditions for polar research that is carried out without field work.