Latest on the christening...

Low-key christening rehearsal at Fredensborg - Lillepigen and Christian exit stage left

We already know this christening is more low-key than Christian's (less than half the size), but there is confirmation today that none of Mary's siblings will be there on Sunday. Jane Stephens and Patricia Bailey will be at home in Hobart and Mary's brother John is at work in his job as a geologist in Western Australia. Mary's father and step-mother will attend

Royal guests will include Crown Princess Victoria, Crown Prince Haakon and Crown Princess Mette-Marit. We also know there will be many of the closer family royals among Princess Benedikte's and Queen Anne-Marie's children. And, it is not pushing it too hard to speculate there will be a strong contingent of Frederik's and Mary's friends

It is thought about 140 guests are invited, but there are not many details until the christening. We will post the guest list, information about the service, church decorations and Bishop Erik Norman Svendsen's sermon when we can. They will appear on the court websites during the christening (links to both on the left navigation bar here)

The weather forecast for North Sjælland on Sunday is fine but cloudy and a daytime temperature of 22C, winds look as if they'll be north westerly

DR reports that the 35,000 or so people expected to be travelling on buses in the metro area on their way to their summer house needn't miss out on the news of Lille prinsessens name. The drivers on duty are equiped with radios which will be used to transmit the news to the passengers the moment it is made public at the christening!

The Municipalty of Århus will give Lilleprinsessen a playhouse sized copy of Marselisborg Castle in a ratio of 1:10 (3.8 metres x 1.7 metres and 1.85 metres high).

The playhouse (above) will be made of environmentally sound materials. The entrance will be between the two towers and the roof can be opened too, so that grown-ups can get in more easily. The playhouse is designed by Alice Rosborg, the city architect for the Århus Municipality

The Marselisborg Palace playhouse to be - a gift from Århus Municipality

The Sønderborg Municipality will give Lille prinsessen a gift she can use when she is visiting Gråsten Palace each summer. It is two little chairs, Peter model designed in 1944, and a little table made by the furniture designer Wegener. They hope the set will be placed at Gråsten Palace. The set is also a kind of construction toy because each chair has four parts which can be put together without tools.

From the Danish Pottery Museum comes a miniature cup and porridge bowl made by potter Lisbeth Kring Jensen (article in Danish Melfar Posten)

And another gift story from Ballarat via Sydney. The North Shore Times reported on a purchase for Lilleprinsessen 'Plush plaything posted to princess at palace'. The rams are pretty in pink!

Here's something fun - this is a link to panoramas of Fredensborg Palace and inside the Palace Chapel where the christening will take place. You need QuickTime to use the zooming panorama feature (zoom in with SHIFT and out with CTRL or hold down left mouse button and move right hand over a laptop mouse pad). The NR-photos are by Hans Nyberg.

This DR Prinsesse theme page has links to Margrethe's, Frederik's, Felix's and Christian's christenings (scroll down the page a little). Danes can get the name of Lilleprinsesse just after it is announced SMSd to them from a link on this page. So many bases are being covered it is hard to imagine a Dane who will not know the name within seconds of it being uttered!

DR.dk video clip (1:48) Guess what? there is a strong princess theme in Fredensborg
DR.dk video clip (0:30) Fredensborg in princess mode for the 18:30 news credits
TV2 video clip (2:20) Every little girl in Denmark seems to be a princess
DR.dk video clip (1:54) about the making of the Tasmanian gift to Lilleprinsesse

From The Sydney Morning Herald Danes guessing on name of Mary's baby

From news.com.au Punting on name for daughter of Princess Mary

Sydney's Daily Telegraph has a 22 photo 'Fred & Mary' gallery

And here is a royal baby collection of photos (TV2 is running a competition of opinions on who is the fairest of them all!) - TV2 historical royal babies gallery it begins with Christian X (for whom the christening robes were made in Belgium) as a baby with his mother Alexandrine, Frederik IX in the most unfortunate, erm, sailor's dress with his father Christian X standing directly behind his chair, poor Frederik IX again 'decorated' with a large frilly hat (he must have had a few laughs over those photos as an adult!), then Margrethe with Christian X, Frederik and Joachim, Nikolai and Felix, Christian and Lilleprinsesse.

Added:

The Sunday Tasmanian/The Mercury 'Danish royals keep mum'

Danish reports are that the press accreditation has been a bit of a bun fight. Had Frederik and Mary accepted all applications for accreditiation, the press alone wouldn't fit into the chapel, let alone the guests. B.T.'s Bodil Cath says the emphasis has been on it being small. On an Australian TV news this evening she indicated that maybe all Australian women are named Sheila or Kylie! Jyllands Posten reports on the press numbers too. Only a small number of the press who applied for accreditation got it, including just one photo-journalist from Australia

According to Jyllands Posten the Australian Embassy in Copenhagen will give Lilleprinsessen a selection of original Australian children's books as a christening gift on behalf of the Australian government. Great precedent! Christian got an original edition of the 1918 May Gibbs classic Snugglepot and Cuddlepie

Lillepigen will receive Hazel Edwards" There's a Hippopotamus on Our Roof Eating Cake and Jackie French's wonderful Diary of a Wombat based on a real wombat in her garden, among other books.

Webcasts

A note for our readers: both networks in Denmark (DR1 and TV2) have extensive (hours!) of coverage planned. In addition NRK in Norway will have a live broadcast which they usually webcast and leave on their site to watch again afterwards (how nice!). We anticipate that we will post webcast links from all three of these sources, so bone up on your Danish and Norwegian! Just come here if you are unsure where to find links and you will find them here.

The coverage will begin very early in Denmark with morning shows on both networks, from 7:00am on DR1 and from 8:30am on TV2 (after B1 and B2 come down the stairs to catch you unawares! - the Australian toddler's favourite Bananas in Pyjamas, and 2 - does Christian watch?)

Here is a link to the World Clock time converter so you can calculate times for where you live. The broadcasts will be roughly for 5 and 6 hours with the arrival of guests from 10:30am and the christening itself until around 1:00pm. For east coast Australians and then the other time zones, it will be late afternoon and early evening. Seven and Nine Networks are promoting coverage of some sort (with reporters there) but neither are live. As with Christian's christening, SkyNews may show it live if you have cable. For those around the globe who will be fast asleep, there will be plenty of video clips to see later from Danish and Australian television and plenty from the print media too. It will be hard to miss it!

A new book: Profession: Princess

A new edition of a book by Swedish royal author Catarina Hurtig has been released in Sweden, Norway and Denmark.

From the publisher's blurb on Catarina Hurtig (Princesses Uppdrag: Prinsessa):

It sounds like a story from the past but the dream of becoming a princess, to get the charming prince and half the kingdom and live ”happily ever after” has never been more present than today. In the European royal families we now have several Cinderellas whose lives changed completely since they met the prince of their dreams. It even seems as if these ordinary girls have become more popular than princesses of the blood.

Modernisation of the monarchies have increased the demands on the princesses. Not only should a European princess of today produce heirs to the throne, she should also be an important PR-representative and a smiling fashion icon – preferably all at the same time.

The pressure from the mass media and the royal courts have on several occasions led to depressions, eating disorders and private conflicts. Some of the younger European princesses have also been surrounded by scandals. Catarina Hurtig portrays the ten most famous princesses of this new generation – Letizia, Charlotte, Mathilde, Maxima, Mary, Alexandra, Märtha-Louise, Mette-Marit, Madeleine and Victoria. The portraits cover intrigues and treachery, horrible accidents, fantastic success stories and, of course, love!

Princesses was published at Bonnier Fakta in May 2006.
Sold in Finland (Otava), Norway (Gyldendal Norsk Forlag)
Denmark (Peoples Press), The Netherlands (AW Bruna)

A peek at Hurtig's summaries in English of Mette-Marit/Maxima/Letizia

The blurb for the Norwegian launch:

Congratulations, Catarina Hurtig! The entertaining book Uppdrag: Prinsessa - about our ten most interesting pricesses - has now been released in Norway (Gyldendal). The launch was a success with interviews in TV and radio and Catarina has now become the Princess-expert in Norway as well with remarkably good sales figures.
The title is also sold to Peoples Press in Denmark, AW Bruna in the Netherlands and Otava in Finland.
Read more about Catarina Hurtig by clicking here.

Danish version available from online books store saxo.com



Excerpt from a review of the book by Dorte Quist in Billed Bladet (no. 26, 2007)- The world’s best Princess

By Dorte Quist, Mary is praised in a new book:

There are much greater expectations of the princesses by marriage than the princesses by birth, says Catarina Hurtig, who has just released the book Profession: Prinsesse about ten of Europe’s Princesses – and among these are our own Mary and Alexandra.

It is hard to describe a job as a princess, but Swedish Catarina Hurtig, who has been a Royal reporter for six years reporting on Crown Princess Victoria, has made an attempt in her new book Profession: Prinsesse which [was] released [last] week.

A princess needs to have a kind manner towards everybody, she has to be humble, grateful, keep an indefinable distance with everybody and then there cannot be any arrogance or haughtiness in them. Pretty hard, huh?!

Mary is one of the princesses of Europe who has succeeded, and perhaps the one who has done the best in her job. She has a warm side to her which can reach out to all. She is nice, open and smiling at all times and everywhere. But she also keeps a certain Royal distance so that she does not become “too common”. She always looks princess perfect – no matter where or when she is seen or photographed. And then there is the fact that she “did what she had to” and gave birth to a lovely boy the first time and now also a girl, helps as well, says Catarina Hurtig.

Even though “The Princess Disease” hits both princesses by birth and princesses by marriage in Europe, the pressure is hardest on the princess by marriage.

These commoners have very high demands for themselves in their new lives. Much higher than the demands the princesses by birth have. And then one should not forget that the courts in the European countries control the princess by marriage from the moment they sense that the princes’ relationships with the girls are serious. (by Dorte Quist and kindly translated by ambiDK)

From B.T.'s article
Requirements of a princess from Catarina Hurtig's book:

1. Fertile – she must be able to have children
2. Be a good mother
3. Interested in fashion and beauty
4. Able to keep a tight reign on her temperament and always appear in control
5. Sense of social occasion and like to meet people
6. Be discreet and able to keep confidences
   
7. Be able to talk without being imprudent
   
8. Kind and obliging, but at the same keep a certain distance. BUT without appearing cold and arrogant
9. Show an interest towards the outside world
10. Able to talk to all kinds of people
11. Appear warm, soft and accessible
12. Have a good relationship with her mother-in-law, the Queen
13. No skeletons in the cupboard, such as embarrassing episodes from her youth
14. No embarrassing family relations, who make scandals or talk out of place to the press

Some other links:
Profession: prinsesse book review in Berlingske Tidende (Danish)
Art People - books (in Danish about the book)
Kvinde Guiden (Women's Guide in Danish with info about the book)
Oestrogen.dk (in Danish about the Swedish princesses Crown Princess Victoria and Princess Madeleine)
Oestrogen.dk (in Danish about Crown Princess Mary)

Frederik, Mary, Christian & Ziggy out for a walk

Danish weekly Her & Nu has posted a video clip of Frederik, Mary, Christian, Ziggy and their PET officers, at a discrete distance, out walking in Fredensborg Palace Park recently (no date is given). It even has a very nice bird call sound effect!

Click here to see the 2:27 video clip. Depending on your internet speed, some may need to be patient while it loads. Click on the image of Fredensborg Palace.

The cover for this week's issue (out tomorrow) is 'Super mum in top form'. Underneath the video is another link, to Nikolai and Felix on their recent visit to the circus here (4:20). This one also takes a while to load, but it is the late morning visit the boys made to the circus with their nannies when they met animals, went to the circus school room and played on the slide.

Quick christening news update

Photo by Steen Brogaard

Prinsessedåben på DR this is about the DR1 TV coverage next Sunday. There will be pre-christening coverage (Prinsessemorgan) from 6:30am to 8:30am and then the christening (Prinsessens dåb) from 8:30am to 12:30pm. The story tells of who will be covering all the bases in DR's coverage and speculates about Lille prinsessens name (aren't we all curious about that one?), how Christian will get on at the christening and whether Marie Cavallier will attend... So many questions!

TV2 is getting into the spirit with a guessing competition for Danes to guess, yes, the names! TV2 will have live coverage also.

Prinsessen døbes med kongeligt dåbssæt the royal christening font and its various parts are on the way to Fredensborg Palace Church

Lille prinsesse lukker Lyngby Storcenter a large shopping centre Lyngby Storcenter will close on Sunday - very unusual - but the manager thinks everyone will stay at home and watch the christening and the employees at the shopping centre want to do the same.

From Viborg Stifts Folkeblad Løvel-pige har tegning med på prinsessebluse is about T-shirts which have been made with children's drawings on them as a commemoration of Lilleprinsessen's christening and to raise money for UNICEF.

The singer and designer Jeanett Debb has released a book and CD in connectionwith the christening of Lillepigen. It has Danish lullabies and a project of T-shirts with childrens drawings, which are inspired by the texts of the lullabies. The drawings have been created by children from all over Denmark.

The T-shirt will be issued in cooperation with UNICEF.

According to this Danish report, Jeanett Debb (34) will appear on Australian television in Sydney, in a 2 hour show in relation to Lillepigen's christening (Channel 9, 29 June 2007 - this is not yet in any program published or online, so to be further advised). Jeanett Debb will sing "Mary's Lullaby" in this show.

Jeanett Debb - available online - Mary's Lullaby

Tasmania's gift to Lilleprinsessen has been presented to the Premier of the state Paul Lennon at Parliament House where it will be on exhibit until tomorrow afternoon before being delivered express to Denmark.

From The Sydney Morning Herald 'Tassie to give bracelet to Mary's girl' (for Aussies, Tassie = Tasmania)

The gift is a lovely contrast of things typical of Tasmania: nature (the Tasmanian Devils for Copenhagen Zoo for Christian) and craft (the symbolic bracelet for Lille prinsesse).

Fornem dåbsgave fra Tasmanien Tasmanian gift of a bracelet is on its way to Denmark

German TV channel NDR will show a 45 minute highlights program in the afternoon and repeat it late evening (see link and local guides, thanks S!)

The guest list, details of the service and so on will not be released before the arrival of the guests at around 10:30am local Danish time.

Frederik at Frogman Corps anniversary

Today Crown Prince Frederik has attended the 50th anniversary celebration of the Navy's Frogman Corps at the Torpedo Station at Kongsøre where the corps' training is based. Frederik was a member of the elite Royal Danish Navy Frogman Corps in 1995 and completed the challenging training. It was from this course that Frederik earned his nickname 'Pingo'.



for more photos visit Søren Steffen's site

Lille prinsesse christening update

The little princess will be ten weeks old when she is christened on July 1

Her christening in the smaller and cosier Fredensborg Palace Chapel will be more intimate than Christian's larger christening which included "official Denmark" in recognition of his status as heir and future king. Nikolai's christening was in Fredensborg Palace Chapel in November 1999 and there were 154 guests. This christening will be more of a family affair than a state occasion

The little princess will have the same royal baptismal font as all other royal children in Denmark since 1671. The font which was made of silver and gilt by craftsmen in Hamburg is normally kept at Rosenborg Castle, the home of the Royal Danish Collections. It will be moved to Fredensborg Palace Chapel from Rosenborg

The little Princess is very likely to wear the family christening gown, also worn by Christian. It was ordered to be made for the christening of Prince Christian (b. 1870, later Christian X) by his mother Queen Lovisa, originally Princess of Sweden and married to Frederik VIII. The gown is made of Brussels lace and was ordered from Belgium. Queen Margrethe's grandfather Christian X was the first to be christened in the gown in 1870 and then Margrethe's father Frederik IX in 1899, Frederik's brother Prince Knud, then Margrethe, Benedikte, Anne-Marie, Crown Prince Frederik, Prince Joachim and Prince Christian. Prince Joachim's children Nikolai and Felix were christened in a new christening gown specially designed by Henrik Hviid* * Henrik Hviid also designed Alexandra's wedding dress for her marriage to Martin Jørgensen

According to a Lithuanian article here (thanks Jisma!) Crown Princess Mary's christening outfit will be a design by Lithuanian designer Juozo Statkevičiaus. In May Juozo Statkevičiaus was invited to Denmark to show Mary his work and do fittings for a few outfits. She had the little princess with her in a carrier during the meeting which he said was a very good designer-client meeting. Mary had remembered him from a fur exhibition in Copenhagen last year and he had given her a copy of his book at the time. This is also now reported by TV2 - Marys nye designer

TV2 reports the christening will (as we know) be a smaller christening than Christian's with a luncheon at the Chancellery House afterwards for family and friends. Frederik will leave after the christening for the July 2 beginning of the Farr 40 Open Nordic Championship in Hankø, Norway

The bishop of Copenhagen, Erik Norman Svendsen, will officiate at the christening. Bishop Svendsen married Frederik and Mary and christened Prince Christian. See TV2 - Norman Svendsen døber Lillepigen

The guest list will not be available until just before the christening, but Norway's Royal Court has published its calendar and Crown Prince Haakon and Crown Princess Mette-Marit are attending the christening. They are godparents to Christian and Frederik and Mary attended the Oslo christening of their now 18-month-old son Prince Sverre Magnus

The Tasmanian Government will give the little princess a gift of custom-made jewellery symbolic of Tasmania, which is known as the Apple Isle. See The Sydney Morning Herald 'Jewellery gift to mark birth of princess' and news.com.au 'Gift of jewellery for new princess'

Some views of the christening gown and the baptismal font when they were exhibited after Christian's christening at the Amalienborg Museum. Museum curator Gerda Petri is shown arranging the robe and the font for the exhibit

Bishop Erik Norman Svendsen and Christian's christening at Christiansborg Palace Church:



What is in store this time? Queen Margrethe shed a tear at Christian's christening:

Click on the christening label below or go to the January 2005 archive to re-visit the many posts on Christian's christening

Joachim & Alexandra clowning around for a good cause

We are a little bit behind with our usual posts here at the blog. Real life can be so inconvenient! We will be posting a few things in the next few days to catch up.

11 June 2007. In spite of their divorce Prince Joachim and Countess Alexandra took their two sons, Prince Nikolai and Prince Felix, to the local Cirkus Arena near Prince Joachim's residence of Schackenborg Manor in southern Jutland. Alexandra's parents Richard and Christa Manley were also there to enjoy the evening with their grandchildren. The Manley's still live at Schackenborg (see below) and Alexandra stayed overnight with them on the visit for the annual fundraiser by Cirkus Arena for the Children's Cancer Foundation, whose patron is Ghita Nørby, a well known actress in a number of areas including the Danish Royal Theatre.



Billed Bladet (no. 24, 14 June 2007) reports on the visit to Cirkus Arena by Prince Joachim, Alexandra, Nikolai and Felix. This has been a regular date on their calendar for them for a few years now as a charity fundraiser for the Children's Cancer Foundation. In Nikolai handled the elephant Billed Bladet's Trine Larsen says Nikolai and Felix had an extended weekend with their father because, as tradition dictates, Cirkus Arena was in town.

...Although they were to see the show on Monday evening with both their parents, they couldn't wait, so during the day they made an extra circus visit with their nannies.

And as soon as they had entered the circus compound [they found] ...Cirkus Arena’s elephant trainer, Rene Casselly, was walking the elephants and even though the big animals seemed intimidating, Prince Nikolai and Prince Felix were easily persuaded to greet them.

Prince Nikolai overcame his nervousness and showed he was cool when he let himself be lifted up on the tusk of Tonga the female elephant to play royal circus performer.

There he sat and even lifted one arm up with a professional air, while brother Felix looked on pretty impressed along with the nannies Merete Metz and Alicia Thunbo, who clapped enthusiastically. After that success it wasn’t hard to persuade Nikolai to also act as a trainer.

Assisted by Rene Casselly the princes made the big elephant Mambo to stand on its hind legs, so they could stand with the nannies under the elephant that towered above all of them. Even so, elephants are not the favourite circus animals of the two princes.

“A lion is,” said Prince Nikolai, but as lions are not allowed in Danish circuses, the boys had to be content with a sea lion. First Prince Felix was allowed to squirt water at the sea lion, and then Prince Nikolai did too.

“It’s fun, but my socks are getting wet,” excliamed Prince Nikolai in the middle of spraying the sea lion...

“It doesn’t matter, sweety. We’ll just take them off afterwards. It’s so hot... they’ll dry quickly,” comforted the nanny, Merete Matz.

Prince Nikolai should really have been in school, so that was dealt with by a visit to Cirkus Arena’s school wagon, where the circus children get their lessons. They were luckily let off shortly after, so that the circus kids could show the princes their skills... “Will you try?” asked circus princess Suzanne Berdino.

“No thank you,” they replied politely. The adventures with elephants, sea lions and a visit to the Alpaca, who got carrots from the princes, were enough. But when the circus kids Patrick and Oliver displayed skills as jugglers, it got Nikolai’s interest again.

“I like to juggle too,” said Prince Nikolai, and even though he wouldn’t display his skill in public yet, he was of course immediately presented with three clubs, three balls and three rings to take home with him so he could practise. He started doing that quickly on the way home to Schackenborg, until it was interrupted by a trip down the huge inflatable slides where the princes ended an eventful trip to the circus. (by Trine Larsen, translated by Muhler - thanks! - and edited a little)

In B.T. (15 June 2007) Arne Sorgenfri wrote a story about Alexandra’s parents: Joachim is kind/sweet towards us

Alexandra’s parents have lived on the estate of their former son-in-law for almost three years, and without problems, they say. Many Danes ask themselves how on earth that is possible.

Prince Joachim still has his former in-laws living in the porter's lodge in the garden of Schackenborg Slot nearly three years after the break up with Alexandra.

And how will it end if Joachim some day chooses to marry his French girlfriend Marie Cavallier? Two years after they met the relationship between Joachim and Marie seems to become more and more serious.

Can the [Marie] tolerate having the parents of Joachim’s ex-wife living so close, if she moves in at Schackenborg one day? So far the relationship between Joachim and his ex-parents-in-law Christa and Richard Manley is both surprisingly hearty and affectionate and completely without problems.

“Joachim is very kind to us. Very sweet. And our relationship is completely without problems,” says Alexandra’s father, Richard Manley, when B.T. asks how it is to live in the same place as their former son-in-law. Christa Manley nods eagerly in agreement. The relationship with Joachim is without friction.

At the same time Richard Manley revealed that Alexandra stays with them when she is at Schackenborg Slot as she was last Monday, to take part in Cirkus Arena’s charity show to benefit Børnecancerfonden (Children's Cancer Foundation). [As in the past] Alexandra attended with her ex-husband and the two rinces, Nikolai and Felix.

Richard Manley suffers from heart problems and also has problems walking. Among other things he didn’t manage to take his daughter to the altar, when she married the film man Martin Jørgensen on March 3. Instead, the princes Nikolai and Felix had that honour.

There has been speculation that Richard Manley cannot cope moving closer to his daughter in Copenhagen due to his health. But last Monday evening he was clearly well and much happier than he has been for a long time and so he could walk the couple of hundred meters from the manor to the circus without problems supported by his wife.

“We love Denmark. Especially Southern Jutland," says Richard Manley to B.T. as a sort of explanation as to why they still live at Schackenborg with Joachim. (by Arne Sorgenfri and kindly translated by Muhler)

Hello magazine 'Exes Joachim and Alexandra reunite to take sons to the circus'

As always, for all things Alexandra see Lotte Haldrup's Countess Alexandra of Frederiksborg website

Marie joins the party: first photos with Crown Prince Couple at christening

On Saturday (16 June 2007) Frederik, Mary, Christian, Joachim, Marie, Gustav, Carina Axelsson, Alexandra and Martin Jørgensen, among many other guests, were all together at the christening of Josephine Margaretha Victoria Fleming at Valdemar's Castle in Tåsinge, South of Fyn. Crown Princess Mary was godmother. Lille Prinsesse was no doubt nearby. This is the first time we have seen public photos of Marie Cavallier accompanying Prince Joachim and with the Crown Prince Couple.

Rory David Fleming and his wife, née Baroness Caroline Iuel-Brockdorff, had their second child, Josephine Margaretha Victoria, on 20 December 2006. Caroline Fleming is married to Brit Rory Fleming, the son of Robert Fleming and his wife, Victoria Margaret Aykroyd, and a grandson of Valentine Fleming. Rory Fleming is the nephew and heir of James Bond creator Ian Fleming and the main source of his fortune is the private bank Fleming Family & Partners, headed by his father Robin. Caroline grew up at Valdemar's Castle in Denmark and in Britain. In England she met the multi-millionaire Rory Fleming and they married at a large wedding at Valdemar's Castle in 2002. They share their time between their penthouse home in London, Valdemar's Castle in Denmark (Caroline is the heir) and their place in the Swiss Alps. Daughter Josephine is the second child for the couple, who already have a son, Alexander. In September 2005 Frederik and Mary were at Caroline Fleming's 30th birthday at Valdemar's Slot and the couples have been to other weddings of their friends too. This party was just before Mary went to hospital for early labour pains when she was pregnant with Christian. She was released from hospital and ordered to rest by her doctors until the birth.



Photos Her&Nu/Kaspar Wenstrup

more photos:


Valdemar's Castle home page
TV2 article 'Baronessen'
Fyens Stiftstidende - Svendborg 'De unge, smukke og rige' photo of Caroline and Rory Fleming on their wedding day
B.T. 'Nu er Marie en del af familien' - Now Marie is a part of the family: about the significance of Marie being with Joachim at the christening with Frederik, Mary and Christian.

Media wrap: family, friends, racing and football

Time for a bit of Danish catch up from last week!
Billed Bladet (no.23, 6 June 2007) reported a story by Ulrik Ulriksen: Joachim raced for Marie:

Prince Joachim raced his classical Cortina at Padborg Park the last time Marie was in town and she was there to see the action. For Marie it was her first time at the racetrack with Joachim. Prince Joachim won the race of the day. Ulriksen compares the speed on the racetrack with what he says is the full speed ahead towards an engagement.

The couple were based at Schackenborg Slot while they were in southern Jutland. They hung out together with Joachim's racing mates from the Cortina team Oscar Davidsen-Siesbye and Martin Berner and their wives, Britt and Connie. After the test drive on Saturday, the three couples enjoyed dinner and watching a football match (soccer) on TV in the evening.

The real race started Sunday and while Joachim and co raced, they had a special group of spectators. Marie, Britt and Connie cheered each time 'their boys' went by on the straight doing 150 kilometres an hour. “I’m completely crazy about this. I do really like racing. It’s so exciting,” said an exhilarated Marie Cavallier, while she watched Joachim drive across the finishing line in first position and therefore as the winner of the day. After the long day at the race track Marie helped pack the Cortina's team equipment away before returning to Schackenborg. “She sure isn’t afraid of lending a hand," said a passer-by.

Marie is now visiting Denmark more often than ever before during the time she and Joachim have been together. With Joachim she has visited Alexandra and Martin Jørgensen, been at a dinner and attended a christening with some of Joachims friends. At the beginning of May she was at Tivoli with Joachim for the wedding anniversary party of friends Michael and Benedicte Darsberg.

From the beginning of this year Marie and Joachim made it clear it was a big year for them this year. They started 2007 with a big New Year party at Amalienborg Slot where all their friends and Alexandra and Martin Jørgensen were present. They then met a couple of times in both Denmark and Switzerland before their winter holiday in the Alps at Marie’s family's place. The Princes Nikolai and Felix were there too. They displayed great enthusiasm for Marie, who proudly showed Joachim and the boys the tracks above her ski village of Villars.

After almost two years together Marie and Joachim have shown they want to be together more and more. Marie is still conscientious and manages her job at home in Geneva in her step-father’s investment-firm without giving cause for criticism. But he may soon have to look for a new employee, because Marie may start packing a really big suitcase to move permanently to Denmark. (the story is an edited version of Ulrik Ulriksen's in Billed Bladet, which was kindly translated by Muhler. Ulriksen also notes that Britt Tang Lassen appears to be Marie’s best friend in Denmark)

A day at the races: 1) & 2) Joachim and Marie, 3) ...and they're racing! 4) the cheer squad, 5) & 6) in pit lane, 7) Joachim and Marie, 8) all hands pack up, 9) Marie at the airport on her way back to Geneva at the end of the weekend.



From Billed Bladet (no. 23, 9 June 2007) there was a report on the family outing to the ill fated football match between Denmark and Sweden by Dorte Quist – To the soccer with aunt Mary:

Crown Princess Mary took the opportunity to go to a football match with her sister Jane, brother-in-law Craig and their three children Alexander, Erin and Kate, who are visiting from Australia. Even though Mary is still breastfeeding her six week old daughter, she was away from her for a few hours to watch the national team together with Frederik and her family from Australia.

Mary’s two nieces and her nephew seemed to look forward to it with both girls dressed in Denmark's red and white football shirts (DBU's) when they arrived. Perhaps the Crown Prince had found them at home in the closet since he has been presented with many of them by the DBU* through the years.

During the match Mary was the one who explained the rules to her nephew and nieces ... But often Mary had to ask Frederik for an explanation first and then the rest of the Australian family was told.

Mary has a very close relationship to her oldest sister, who is one of her closest confidantes. The 41-year-old Jane was a big support for her younger sister when Prince Christian entered the world ...Back then Jane came to Denmark and stayed in Kancellihuset with Mary and Frederik... It has been three years since Mary’s nieces, nephew and brother-in-law were in Denmark. That was at the wedding of the Crown Prince couple, when Frederik and Mary were more or less preoccupied by the many official arrangements – and then afterwards they left on their honeymoon. This time however there is plenty of time for family cosiness and sightseeing – including a national team football game at the national stadium in Denmark. (an edited version of Dorte Quist's story which was translated by Muhler. *DBU = Dansk Boldspils Union which organises football and handball)

And continuing - Embarrassing from the Danish side:

“That was a mess. A bit embarrassing from the Danish side.” It was an extremely grim Crown Prince Frederik who commented on the scandalous end against Sweden when he left Parken after the historic game.

What should have been a cosy and nice June evening with Mary and her sports keen Australian family, suddenly turned into an embarrassing affair. Frederik had looked forward to showing the family Denmark’s national sport in its most colourful, jubilant and loud surroundings. But instead it ended up with him having to explain to his sister-in-law Jane and brother-in-law Craig and their three children why the match was broken off and why we lost the three goals the Danish players had fought so hard for after having been behind 0-3. A sad end for an otherwise cheerful and fun evening for Frederik, the family and the other 42,000 spectators. (by Dorte Quist and translated by Muhler)

The UEFA disciplinary hearing decided Denmark should be heavily sanctioned. The game was declared lost with the score 0-3. Denmark's Christian Poulsen has been less than popular for allowing himself to be provoked and punching a Swedish player in front of the goal and got a 3 match suspension. Denmark now has to win all its games to stay in the UEFA competition and will have to play all of them as away games. The officials in Parken were blamed for ineffective crowd control. The spectator who ran onto the field was drunk, apologetic and will face charges of violence.



And still more from Billed Bladet, who had their ears tuned into the back garden at the Chancellery House the next day - Family cosiness in the garden:

The day after the excitement of the football at Parken ...was spent at home in Kancellihuset... the smell of bacon and eggs for breakfast wafted all the way out to Fredensborg Square to the guardsmen on duty, while some of the family members jumped head first into the swimming pool in the backyard of Kancellihuset.

It may not have been winter bathing but the air temperature was no more than 16 degrees C, so the water must have been cold... When the swimming was over, Mary and Frederik and their guests went to the breakfast table. The rest of the day was enjoyed in the open air in the garden with a lot of playful teasing among the children... Mary’s nieces, Erin and Kate and nephew Alexander seemed to have a wonderful time in particular, but also little Prince Christian happily joined in with his cousins.

Mary’s brother-in-law went for an afternoon stroll in peace and quiet ... in Fredensborg Park. On the way he greeted several people who recognised him as the always smiling Australian. (by Ulrik Ulriksen whose way with words makes it fun --funny?-- and challenging for Muhler to translate!)

Margrethe, Henrik & Frederik open new yacht club house

Queen Margrethe, Prince Henrik and Crown Prince Frederik have been to the Royal Danish Yacht Club to inaugurate its new club house. The club was founded in 1866 and was given royal status by Christian IX in 1891. The Royal Yacht Club in Turborghavn has undergone a facelift in preparation for the upcoming summer sailing season in Denmark. As we know, Frederik was instrumental in winning the Farr 40 World Championship 2007 for Copenhagen and there is a busy Nordic competition schedule coming up this summer, which includes sailing in Denmark (in Skagen and Copenhagen), Sweden, Norway and Germany.



For more photos visit Søren Steffen's site

Frederik presents 2007 grants for his Foundation

Crown Prince Frederik gives a little talk about the background and purpose of the Foundation before presenting the individual awards. All photos exclusive to Steen Brogaard with thanks (as we can see!)

Today Crown Prince Frederik has presented grants to eight recipients from the His Royal Highness Crown Prince Frederik's Foundation. The Foundation was set up as a gift when Frederik turned 18 in 1986 and is intended to give support to scientific expeditions, especially outside Denmark but including Greenland and the Faroe Islands, and also to sporting activities with a social dimension.

This year's grants have gone to four recipients from four sports (table tennis, swimming, karate and horse riding) for international training and competition, and in the scientific area, to four researchers for work in Bolivia, Peru, north east Greenland and north west Greenland. The committee which decides on the grants each year is headed by Crown Prince Frederik and includes academic Ida Nicolaisen, businessman Arne Garnell, involved with numerous sports and the Danish Olympic Committe, and The Crown Prince Couple's Chief of Court, Per Thornit.



Please see Steen Brogaard's website to see all 55 photos.

Happy birthday Prince Henrik!

We are flying the flag again today for Prince Henrik who is 73 years old today. Henrik was born Henri Marie Jean André de Laborde de Monpezat and was born in 1934 in Talence, Gironde, France. His father was Count André de Laborde de Monpezat who died in 1998 and his mother was Countess Renée de Monpezat, (born Doursennot) who died in 2002. Henri was educated in both France and Vietnam where his family had business interests. From 1952 to 1957 Henri studied law and philosophy at the Sorbonne and simultaneously Chinese and Vietnamese at the École Nationale des Langues Orientales in Paris. He did obligatory French military service in Algeria before beginning his diplomatic career, which is how he came to be in London when Princess Margrethe was there studying. Henri speaks French, of course, English, Chinese, Vietnamese and Danish. Apparently he keeps up his Asian languages by reading them and he may well get a bit of practice in the course of his duties sometimes too. He has written books of poetry, cook books and done translations with the Queen of a Simone de Beauvoir work into Danish. He has done bronze sculptures, pretty well on the quiet (they are at Château de Caïx). His other great passions are winemaking at the Château de Caïx estate in Cahors, tennis and sailing, his dogs and music (he plays the piano). Henrik is also an enthusiastic grandfather!

Royal family at Queen Ingrid memorial concert

The royal family has attended a gala concert and presentation of a scholarship in honour of Queen Ingrid. It is quite a big family event with the Queen and Prince Henrik, Crown Prince Frederik, Princess Benedikte and her husband Prince Richard zu-Sayn-Wittgenstein-Berleburg, Queen Anne-Marie and King Konstantin, Prince Gustav and Carina Axelsson and Crown Prince Pavlos. The presentation of the Queen Ingrid Honour Scholarship at the gala concert was in Tivoli's Concert Hall. The two recipients were 23 year-old ballet dancer Christina L. Olsen from the Danish Royal Ballet School and 19 year-old Andreas Brantelid, a musician interested in specialising in modern music.



Added: DR1 video clip (2:10) about the 40th anniversary of Margrethe and Henrik, shows archival footage from their wedding
TV2 video clip (3:40) Lally Hoffman interview with Henrik in Stockholm on the Dannebrog (he was there for a Europa Nostra meeting)

TV2 article (in Danish)

Margrethe & Henrik with their grandchildren for their 40th

Here are some new photos of Queen Margrethe and Prince Henrik with their grandchildren Nikolai, Felix, Christian and Lillepigen to mark their 40th wedding anniversary today. Berlingske Tidende reports the photos were taken on June 2 and they are by Steen Brogaard.





See the gallery at the Danish Royal website
and also at TV2's photo gallery
Hello magazine 'Royal grandkids help royal couple mark ruby anniversary'

Margrethe's & Henrik's 40th wedding anniversary

Today is the 40th wedding anniversary of Queen Margrethe and Prince Henrik, when Margrethe married her Henri and Henri married his Daisy. The then Princess Margrethe was titled 'Tronfølgeren', literally thronefollower in Danish, or Heiress Presumptive in English. Denmark follows the system of primogeniture and so Margethe was never a crown princess. The process to change to the constitution in 1953 allowing Margrethe to follow her father Frederik IX began in 1947, when it became apparent Queen Ingrid would have no more children after the birth of Anne-Marie. As a side note, the Danish Parliament began the process of changing the constitution to introduce equal primogeniture when Mary was pregnant with Christian, so that any future heirs will be the first born, whether male or female. This requires deliberations by two parliaments (the current and the next) and then a referendum. And so, as a constitutional monarchy, the engagement and marriage of Margrethe and Henrik was of great import in Denmark and celebrated as such.

On 10 June 1967, Princess Margrethe, the Heir Apparent to the Danish throne, married Henri Marie Jean André Count de Laborde de Monpezat. Henri's name was Danicised to Henrik and he became HRH Prince Henrik of Denmark, and later still HRH The Prince Consort, as he is known officially now. The wedding ceremony took place in Holmens Kirke (the naval church) and the wedding festivities were held at Fredensborg Palace. You don't need to look too closely to see many parallels, intentionally historical or otherwise, with the wedding of Frederik and Mary in 2004.

Perhaps as a sign of who would always be in the driver's seat in Denmark, officially at least, Princess Margrethe drove to Kastrup Airport in Copenhagen to pick up Henri, who arrived prior to the formal engagement festivities:




The engagement day, 5 October 1966, which included a group photo with the Danish Folketing (parliament) at Fredensborg, a press conference with the newly engaged couple, formal photographs including Henri's parents and one of his sisters and then "the balcony scene" at Amalienborg:




The wedding day at Holmens Kirke, the carriage ride back to Amalienborg, the balcony appearance, at Fredensborg:














As a couple they have lived their lives publicly, but without a strong private relationship, it would have been difficult to sustain not only their own relationship, their family and their duties to Denmark through all these years. They have been through some thick and thin together, for example, Margrethe's medical emergency giving birth to Frederik when Henrik feared for her survival, deaths in their families, relentless royal duties, no doubt the normal parental worries about their children, and also many good times, if the photographic record is any guide. This evening we will see them with many family members at a memorial for Queen Ingrid. We wish them many more happy years together.





Their first wedding anniversary at Fredensborg:



They are greeted by a morning song at Fredensborg on their silver anniversary:



A special thanks to POLFOTO for their archive of Danish royal family photographs.

Frederik presents 2007 awards

Frederik with the grant recipients yesterday, Thomas Emil Jensen and Guang Yang. Photo courtesy Steen Brogaard.

Yesterday Crown Prince Frederik awarded grants at Christian VIII's Palace, Amalienborg, to two graduates from Copenhagen University to continue their studies. The funds for the awards come from the Crown Prince Frederik Fund which was set up as a 25th birthday gift to Frederik by Danish Americans when he was studying at Harvard.

The foundation gives financial assistance to outstanding students of social policy and sciences for one year of study at the John F. Kennedy School of Government at Harvard. The two recipients this year are Guang Yang from Wenzhou in Zheizhang, China (who arrived in Denmark 5 years ago) and Thomas Emil Jensen.

Press release announcing the awards from the Crown Prince Couple's website (pdf and in Danish)
More photos from Steen Brogaard's website

Happy birthday Prince Joachim!

Today is the 38th birthday of Joachim Holger Waldemar Christian born 7 June 1969, so it is a flag flying day in Denmark.







Doing one of his favourite things, racing historic cars:



With Nikolai and Felix:




With girlfriend of two years, Marie Cavallier:






1) Margrethe and Henrik made an official visit to Australia in February 1987 to coincide with Joachim's year in Wagga Wagga as a jackaroo (Jens Dresling/POLFOTO) 2) on a visit to Africa to highlight Danish aid 3, 4 & 5) Joachim's first appearance after the announcement of his divorce to inaugurate a wetlands renewal project near Schackenborg 6) a trip in the outdoors in Canada to promote Danish culture, 7) Schackenborg's agricultural business - in this case potatoes as a member of the Danish Potato Association 8) on the estate at Schackenborg (Steen Brogaard).

The Copenhagen Post 'Prince Joachim speaks about divorce'
The Copenhagen Post 'Royal Cavallier'

And the latest news on Prince Joachim, which seems to be a bit of a surprise so therefore a nice birthday present, news from Berlinske Tidende's finance section, 6 June 2007 – Prince Joachim doubles the surplus

The food-company “De 5 Gaarde – The 5 Farms” – of which Prince Joachim is co-owner, had a good 2006.

New products are maintaining the progress.

The accounts from the food company De 5 Gaarde show a doubling of the bottom line for 2006 compared to 2005.

De 5 Gaarde have thus earned 800.000 DKK last year, writes Børsen (Danish financial newspaper).

The exciting thing about De 5 Gaarde is that Prince Joachim is to be found among the owners. Apart from Prince Joachim’s Schackenborg (his estate company, rather than he himself?), the company is owned by Count Bendt Wedell’s east Jutlandic Frijsenborg and Wedellsborg on Funen and also the founder of the fashion company Bestseller, Troels Holch Povlsen.

“Even though the surplus naturally is in the low end of the scale, it is very positive that we can actually make money, at the same time as there is a continuing development of new products and the considerable progress we have had in regards to our brand,” says sale and marketing manager Erik Jensen to Børsen,

The progress is first and foremost to be ensured with fresh bread with the logo of De 5 Gaarde baked into the crust and a special schnapps with an oak-rod from a tree in one of Prince Joachim’s woods near Schackenborg. (written by Jonas Schrøder and translated by Muhler - thanks!)

Added: It appears to be six of one and half a dozen of the other as Prince Joachim has borrowed money for the Schakenborg business too. It was also reported by Landbrugsavisen that Prince Joachim has taken out a loan of 6.100.000 DKK from Danske Bank's Realkredit Danmark as the principal of the Schackenborg Estate's Møgeltønder business. The money will be used to buy new machines, to build a repair shop and a garage for tractors.

Quoting Ekstra Bladet, there is speculation about whether some of the money will also go to a wedding with the prince’s French sweetheart Marie Cavallier. But the manager of the estate Søren Frederiksen denies that, “I don’t know whether the prince is going to marry. But I do know that the 6.00.000 DKK is to be invested in the estate,” he says. (thanks Muhler!)

Mary & Frederik say thank you

The Chief of Court for the Crown Prince Couple has issued a statement of thanks to the many people who have sent congratulatory messages to Frederik and Mary on the birth of their daughter. From the statement it seems there are so many that they will be unable to respond personally to all of them.

Frederik at Home Guard display 2007

Photo by Ole Friis/www.hjv.dk
Before attending the evening football game between Sweden and Denmark with Mary on Saturday (June 2), Crown Prince Frederik attended the Home Guard's 2007 grand exhibit called "Show the way - shape the future" at the Fredericia Exhibition Centre in Fredericia in central Denmark. TV2 reports the award Frederik was given was first instituted by his grandfather Frederik IX in 1953.

The Home Defence is going through a period of reassessment about its size and function since some of its historical reasons for existing have changed in recent times, hence the theme of the event. (thanks Muhler!)



See info about the Danish Home Guard (English)

Hjemmeværnet (Home Guard) 'Kronprins Frederik fik fortjensttegnet' (Danish)
TV2 article 'Fortjensttegn til kronprinsen' (Danish)

TV SYD video clip (2:07)

Frederik & Mary at the football

Photo from Aftonbladet.se/Stella Pictures/Stefan Lindblom

Frederik and Mary were at an action-packed Sweden-Denmark game last night at Parken in Copenhagen. As we can see from the photo, so was Denmark's prime minister, Anders Fogh Rasmussen (on Mary's left). Jane and Craig Stephens and their children are obviously visiting Denmark together, as they were also at the game with Frederik and Mary. The game was abandoned and will go to UEFA's disciplinary committee for a decision. The Swedes were 3-0 ahead when Denmark staged a comeback and equaled the score. A Denmark supporter confonted the German referee on the pitch when the score was 3 all because he didn't like the referee's decision to award a last minute penalty against Denmark. The emotion! It is the leading story in Denmark today.

B.T.'s photo gallery (no Mary or Frederik - these are action shots from the game)

Added: TV2 video clip Denmark's second goal fightback, Frederik and Mary slomo reaction at end
TV2 video clip Denmark's third goal fightback -score 3-3 - at end shows Frederik exchanging comments with someone to his right and Mary standing and applauding

(Many thanks to Lotte Haldrup)



The comeback that never was from Denmark.dk/The Copenhagen Post

Joachim & Marie: another weekend together

The well worn path from Kastrup Airport into Copenhagen... and, Marie's Bichon Frise Apple is in her shoulder bag.

Billed Bladet has reported that last weekend Marie Cavallier again visited Copenhagen and spent the weekend with Prince Joachim. The brothers Frederik and Joachim each spent their weekend in the bosom of their families. The Danish royals tend to make a bigger deal of significant birthdays, so Frederik's 39th passed quietly and on Prince Henrik's upcoming 73rd birthday, Prince Joachim will be busy in Møgeltønder at Schackenborg with Alexandra, Nikolai and Felix at Cirkus Arena for the annual fundraiser for the Children's Cancer Fund.

Billed Bladet's (no. 22, 30 May 2007) Ulrik Ulriksen wrote about Joachim's and Marie's weekend in To lunch at Alexandra's and Martin's.

Ulriksen reported Prince Joachim was ready and waiting for Marie when she landed at Kastrup. After she claimed her baggage they were reunited with a hug and a kiss. Joachim grabbed Marie's suitcase and off they went to the waiting car. Joachim was focused on Marie but did answer a question from the Billed Bladet reporter.
“Are you going to Crown Prince Frederik’s birthday party with Marie during Whitsun?”
"No we’re not going to a birthday party. We are just going to have a quiet weekend together,” was the friendly reply from Prince Joachim.
So, while Crown Prince Frederik celebrated his birthday with Mary, Prince Christian and the new little one aboard Dannebrog, Joachim and Marie drove to Hellerup to visit Alexandra and Martin Jørgensen in their home on Svanemøllevej. There they had lunch and spent most of the afternoon. Marie was shown around the beautiful villa in northern Copenhagen, and had yet again the opportunity to be with the Princes Nikolai and Felix, who were with their mother during Whitsun (the 49th day after Easter - Pentecost - in the Christian calendar).
The many hours Joachim and Marie spent together with Alexandra and Martin is a testament to how well the two couples get on together. They have met together as much as possible when Marie has visited Denmark. They have celebrated New Year and the 7th anniversary of mutual friends together. In this way Marie and Alexandra have become good friends, just as Joachim and Martin Jørgensen have been for a long time.
Marie arrived on Friday afternoon, although Joachim had an official duty* during the evening.
While Joachim was in DR's Concert Hall for the string concert, Marie left the palace.
She went through the large gate at Amalienborg and strolled across the palace square to their good friends Oscar Davidsen and Britte Tang Lassen. When Joachim had finished his official business, he joined them for a cosy time in Oscar Davidsen’s apartment, only two minutes walk from Amalienborg. After a lovely evening Marie And Joachim bid their friends goodnight and strolled back to Amalienborg hand in hand.
Marie Cavallier has established a solid network of friends in Denmark. Prince Joachim has helped her with that by quietly introducing her to the friends he himself has had through the years and who have supported him faithfully. Several of them he has known since the years when he was a boy at Krebs Skole (where Nikolai and Felix now attend).
Many of the friends are also close to Alexandra and so it’s completely normal that Marie and Alexandra now share several Danish (female) friends.
Marie is close to Britt Tang Lassen, Henriette Steenstrup, Benedcite Darsberg and Maria Bast, among others, who Alexandra has had as her most intimate friends since her arrival in Denmark.
Camilla Barfoed is also a friend and Marie and Joachim went to the Sunday morning christening of her baby.
Marie Cavallier seems ready to take the leap from her small apartment in Geneva in Switzerland to bigger surroundings in Denmark.
Prince Joachim too seems ready, says Ulriksen, he’d rather not be without Marie for too long.
That was clear during the weekend through his time with her. Despite the visits to both Alexandra and Martin and to friends, the weekend was primarily Joachim and Marie alone together.
“It has been a wonderful weekend,” said Marie when she took the plane back to Geneva on Monday afternoon. (by Ulrik Ulriksen, translated by Muhler and edited by lotte. Muhler has long since observed Ulriksen is a Marie Cavallier convert. He has been sent by Billed Bladet to Geneva on a few occasions and becomes verily lyrical about Marie. We here on the blog are frequently amused by Muhler's editorial comments!)

* Prince Joachim is the patron for the annual Danish String Competition and attended the competition concert at the DR Concert Hall in Copenhagen.



Hello magazine 'Joachim and Marie go from strength to stength'

Media wrap: Frederik's birthday

Current captain of the Dannebrog, Kai Rasch-Larsen, carries the little princess ashore after her first time aboard the royal yacht.

After the birthday/anniversary lunch on the Dannebrog last week Frederik, Mary and the children returned to Fredensborg. Three couples from among their closest friends joined Frederik and Mary in the evening for a small birthday get together at home.

Billed Bladet (no. 22, 1 June 2007) – Family celebration for Frederik

It was probably one of the quietest birthdays Crown Prince Frederik has had in all his 39 years. And despite the drizzling rain, it seemed like it was one of his best because it was celebrated with his family.

“Yes, [my birthday] has been celebrated by my wife, my son and my daughter. It’s been really, really lovely,” said Crown Prince Frederik with a happy smile as he arrived at Nordre Toldbod in Copenhagen with Crown Princess Mary, Prince Christian and the small 35 day old princess...

More than 150 onlookers defied the rain to catch a glimpse of the birthday boy and his family, and they did not wait in vain... Frederik received a lot of cheers and congratulations along the way, and holding Christian, who looked somewhat overwhelmed, he said thank you very much with a big smile, while he momentarily posed for the many photographers with Mary...

The waiting barge took the birthday boy, his little family and the nanny to the royal yacht Dannebrog, which had arrived in Copenhagen Harbour half an hour earlier from Århus to a salute of 27 shots with the regent couple onboard.

The same day as the Crown Prince turned 39, the DRF also celebrated the 75th anniversary of the launching of the royal yacht Dannebrog and her admission into the Danish navy as a royal ship. And so, the Queen and the Prince Consort had invited a few more than ten guests to lunch onboard ... including defence chief Jesper Helsøe and the three previous captains of the Dannebrog...

"It was nice to be onboard again. It was a good lunch,” said retired captain Viggo Hansen, who was accompanied by his colleagues ex-captains Steen Vestergaard and Svend-Aage Kundby-Nielsen, who after his years on the Dannebrog also served six years as the chief-of-court to Queen Ingrid.

Safe at home later in Chancellery House in Fredensborg, Frederik, Mary and the two children could rest a little, before the preparations for the birthday dinner in the evening. The dinner was small and private, with good friends Caroline and Peter Heering, Birgitte and Jeppe Handwerk and Frederik's tennis friend, medical consultant Christian Buchwald and his wife Elizabeth. (by Trine Larsen and translated by Muhler)

Guests arriving at Fredensborg 1) Christian and Elizabeth Buchwald 2) Peter Heering, Birgitte Handwerk:



Hello magazine 'Prince Frederik celebrates birthday aboard royal yacht'

Frederik @ 350th anniversary of historical military office

Today Crown Prince Frederik has attended the 350th anniversary celebration of the establishment of the office of the Commandant of Copenhagen ("Kommandanten i København") at Børsen in Copenhagen.

The Commandant of Copenhagen is in charge of the garrisons in Copenhagen and is also in charge of Copenhagen Fortress. Historically the commandant was therefore was also responsible for the defence of Copenhagen, an especially important post when the King was not in town. The last time a commandant acted on his own was in 1807. Contrary to his orders, the then commandant surrendered Copenhagen to the British after the city had been bombarded for three nights. The Danish fleet was also handed over, again in violation of his orders. The commandant subsequently narrowly avoided being executed for treason. (thanks for the explanation and historical note Muhler!)



Read the latest about this piece of history in this book: Defying Napoleon by Dr Thomas Munch-Petersen of the Department of Scandinavian Studies, University College London
Napoleon duped the British over Copenhagen - press release about Dr Thomas Munch-Petersen's book Defying Napoleon
The Wikipedia version 'Battle of Copenhagen (1807)'