Norwegian Crown Prince Haakon is marking the 200th anniversary of organized emigration from his homeland to the United States, highlighting the deep connections between the two countries with a visit to the heart of Norwegian America.

The Upper Midwest has some of the largest concentrations of Scandinavian Americans in the U.S., and his tour takes him Tuesday to Minnesota, where well over 800,000 residents claim Norwegian ancestry, according to state demographers. That's more than any other state, though less-populous North Dakota actually has a higher percentage of residents with Norwegian roots. Members of the royal family have made several visits to the region over the years.

Haakon's visit is part of the Crossings 200 commemorations across North America this year.

On Tuesday Haakon visited Norway House, a cultural center in Minneapolis that focuses on bringing contemporary Norway to the U.S. through arts, business and culture.

The crown prince was due to cut a ribbon and tour Norway House's new Saga Center. It's an immersive, interactive exhibit for families to explore their connections with Norway, where they can also navigate 3D outdoor and urban landscapes to learn about the country's friluftsliv (outdoor life) and byliv (city life).

Sonja Blackstone and her nearly three-year-old daughter Adelaide were among dozens gathered to great the prince. The Minneapolis resident of Norwegian descent wore the traditional bunad dress she was married in.

“And it was such a special opportunity to be able to have her meet the prince. And also be around a bunch of other people who are excited for Norwegian culture,” she said.

Haakon also meet with Gov. Tim Walz and Minnesota National Guard leaders at the state Capitol in nearby St. Paul. Walz and Haakon highlighted training partnerships between the two countries’ guard forces.

“Minnesota has been the recipient of an incredible legacy that's here. I think our Norwegian heritage shapes who we are as a people. It shapes how we see the world, and I think the crown prince’s work, whether it's around clean energy or whether it's around the protection of children and the bettering of their lives. This visit is important to us,” said Walz.

Nearly 5 million North Americans now claim Norwegian ancestry. The U.S. was a relatively welcoming place for Scandinavians during the main waves of emigration that began in the 1800s. They were drawn to the Upper Midwest by cheap land and jobs.

But much has changed since then, and today immigration is a contentious issue for both the U.S. and Scandinavian and other European countries.

“Today there's very much a benefit from that history because of course bonds between nations is bonds between persons, people. And that is very deeply rooted because of that shared history,” Haakon said.