Mary's routine check-up triggers false alarm & second time this week media gets it wrong

Photo © Hanne Juul/Billed Bladet

So where are we at? Mary has had a check up at the hospital but is not in labour and the court has confirmed that Crown Prince Frederik has cleared his calendar of an event for January 13. Since the twins have not yet appeared he is bound to be on extra Daddy-duty in the near future. The photos of Frederik's arrival perhaps look a little more dramatic than what was actually happening. It appears that since the media is watching at the front of the hospital, Frederik might have driven Mary to a side entrance to drop her off before parking the car and going upstairs with Professor Peter Damm, a member of the birth team. The media has got it wrong twice this week. It is 1-1 between Denmark and Australia. B.T. got it wrong earlier in the week and today News.com.au (and all its mastheads, The Daily Telegraph etc.) got it wrong.


For the past few days while Frederik has been busy with official duties during the New Year Courts, Mary has been both at home and also out and about. What is new for royal watchers is seeing the Crown Prince Couple and the children in Copenhagen during this time - there is a whole new way of city living going on since they moved into Frederik VIII's palace. Mary has been seen walking with her father along the harbour-side near the palace (a blog exclusive, thanks Adelaide), going out to some New Year sales, picking up Christian and Isabella from across the square at Amalienborg (with Ziggy), seen indoors at the palace and most recently she has been to Rigshospitalet for a routine pre-natal check up. As for Mary's trip across the square to pick up Christian and Isabella at Christian VIII's Palace, we don't know why they were there, Ekstra Bladet has assumed it was to visit Prince Joachim's apartment for a visit. The palace houses a museum, apartments for Joachim and his family, for Princess Benedikte, a part of the Queen's Library and meeting rooms. Also Mary and Christian were photographed looking out onto the square to see Queen Margrethe and Prince Henrik departing for Christiansborg Palace in the golden coach on January 5.

As you can see below the media stories, especially in English language publications, continued to publish that Mary was having her babies three days ago, despite Communications Chief Lene Balleby saying January is the due date and Mary is anticipating doing things naturally. A low moment in the Danish tabloid press was Ekstra Bladet offering 5,000DKK for anyone who took photos of Mary in labour on her way to hospital. It was greeted by all-round criticism and EB withdrew the piece and then reduced the amount on offer to 1,000DKK, now all removed from online. Babies, as we all know, have their own timetable - and that is the timetable we are running on in this virtual maternity waiting room. So here is some stuff to read, as you do while waiting...

Frederik with Isabella the evening before Mary's admission to hospital Photo © Billed Bladet/Jacob Ljørring

Berlingske Tidende The Crown Prince Couple have been to Rigshospitalet tonight for a last check up before the imminent twins birth.

By Helle Lho Hansen

Thursday the 6. January 2011, 21: 41

On Thursday evening around 7 p.m. Crown Prince Frederik arrived at Rigshospitalet in Copenhagen. Alone in the Crown Prince Couple's red Saab Frederik parked at a side entrance, reports B.T.dk.

Here he was and his two bodyguards were welcomed by Professor Peter Damm, who is a part of the team of expert physicians who are helping Mary with the twins birth. Still, however, there is no report of baby joy from the Royal family.

Lene Balleby press coordinator for the Royal family says the Crown Prince Couple were at Rigshospitalet for one of the final check ups before the twin birth.

"They have been for a check up at Rigshospitalet. But they are probably already back at home again," she said to B.T.

"There is no set time laid down for the birth. This will happen in the course of January, as planned. There is not so much else to say. It will happen when it happens," she says.

Billed Bladet Mary and Frederik to Rigshospitalet - and home again

On Thursday evening the Crown Prince Couple made a trip to the Kingdom (colloquial name for Rigshospitalet) to make a probable final routine check-up .They are at home at Amalienborg again... B.T. reports that the Crown Prince Couple were received at Rigshospitalet by Porofessor Peter Damm, who is one of the experts in the team to assist at birth.

The Crown Prince Couple, who were flanked by two P.E.T. security officers, is now back in their home at Amalienborg, and Crown Princess Mary is therefore, according to Lene Ballaby, not yet ready to give birth.

Ekstra Bladet once again EB quotes B.T. - it was a check up
Ekstra Bladet

The expectant mother was with the twins' father, Crown Prince Frederik, on a visit to University Hospital late Thursday evening to undergo one of the last checks before delivery.According to the court's information officer Lene Balleby the expectant parents were back in their new home at Amalienborg later Thursday evening.

Cleared calendar

But after consultation with the royal birth team, Crown Prince Frederik has chosen to clear his official calendar.

Therefore his planned participation in the 250th anniversary dinner for Købstædernes Insurance at the National Gallery of Art on Thursday January 13 has been removed from the Crown Prince Couple's official calendar.

The court's communications chief Lene Balleby said last night that there is no set time for the birth.

Up until now the court has stated that Mary will give birth in the most natural way - which means that she has not planned to have the birth induced nor planned a caesarean section.

According to statistics, 60 percent of all twin births in Denmark are via caesarean section.

B.T.
The latest news about the royal pregnancy

Frederik and Mary at the Kingdom (colloquial name for Rigshospitalet)

HELLE LHO HANSEN | MORTEN MÆRSK-Thursday, 6. January 2011, 21: 32

On Thursday evening around 7 p.m. Crown Prince Frederik arrived at Rigshospitalet in Copenhagen. Alone in the Crown Prince Couple's red Saab, he parked at a side entrance to the maternity wing.

He was, together with two bodyguards, welcomed by professor Peter Damm, which is a part of the team of expert physicians helping Mary with the twins' birth. But there are still no reports of baby joy from the Royal family.

As a consequence, Lene Balleby press chief for the Royal family, the Crown Prince Couple were at Rigshospitalet for one of the last check ups before the twins' births.

"They have been for a check up at Rigshospitalet. But they are no doubt back at their new home again," she said.

It remains that there is no time set down for the births.

"This will happen in the course of January as planned. There is not much else to say. This will happen when it happens," she says.

According to Ekstra Bladet the Court has confirmed that after the visit on Thursday, an arrangement in the Crown Prince's calendar was removed. He was to have taken part in the 250th anniversary dinner for Købstædernes Insurance at the National Gallery of Art on January 13, but it is now apparently cancelled.

TV2 Crown Prince Couple in visit to Rigit
Ekstra Bladet 5-1-2011 - Heavily pregnant Mary took the car 100 meters

The heavily pregnant Crown Princess Mary drove around on the palace square at Amalienborg Palace along with her two children and the dog Ziggy.

With two children in the tummy 100 metres can feel a very long distance. Crown Princess Mary this afternoon took the red station wagon and drove from the newly renovated Frederik VIII's Palace to the Amalienborg palace where Prince Joachim has his apartment.

Twenty minutes later Mary returned, cramped behind the wheel because of her large stomach and with her two small children in the back seat, as well as the dog Ziggy in the luggage compartment. Border collie Ziggy watchfully looked out of a side window, as if she was looking out for the whole Royal family.

Mary appeared completely calm and not at all like a woman who is very soon to give birth to twins. So I wonder if a few days or more will pass before the birth will begin.

Meanwhile, the canons at Kronborg in Helsingør are being prepared for the salute when the twins are born. There is normally a 21 gun salute when a royal child is born and so on this occasion there will be two salutes with a total of 42 shots:
TV2 clip (1:48)

News.com.au Maternity dash triggers false alarm: Princess Mary not in labour and still waiting
News.com.au Reports of Princess Mary in labour premature, twins not
The Daily Telegraph Heir of expectation
The Herald Sun Princess Mary labour mystery, Prince Frederik rushes to hospital
The Mercury False alarm on Mary's labour
The Courier Mail Princess Mary a busy mum-to-be
Kid Solo.com

 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

 
Previous days' reports. I include these because you can't believe everything you read in newspapers, and also, some of the headlines are pretty funny, this is only a selection of the many published stories reporting the imminent birth :

News.com.au Princess Mary's waiting game continues as royal twins fail to show up
The Sydney Morning Herald Crown Princess Mary 'ready for early arrival of twins'
The Adelaide Advertiser Princess Mary's twins 'will be born today', says Danish media
The Mercury (Hobart) Oz names tip for Mary's twins
The Herald Sun (Melbourne) Princess Mary's waiting game continues as royal twins fail to show up
VG Nett no (Norway) - the royal house rejects rumours of birth in Denmark
Ekstra Bladet - Very pregnant Mary drew fresh air

Mary still has the energy to go outside of Amalienborg. According to one newspaper was Crown Princess Mary's birth was to be induced yesterday. [dig at competitor tabloid B.T.] She has not appeared in public for a while and no longer participate in official royal events. But despite two babies in the stomach, she can still find the energy to leave the Royal Palace and get some fresh air.

"She's at home at Amalienborg and well. Everything is as it should be. Today she has been out," says Royal Family Communications chief Lene Balleby to ekstrabladet.dk.

According to the court no one knows when the babies will come and it also denies that there is a definite timetable for it. "She has given birth to her previous children naturally. There is no timetable for it," continues Balleby.

Rumors have circlulated elsewhere the Crown Princess will this time give birth by a Caesarean section. If it proves nevertheless to be a planned caesarean section, the gamblers might not put their money on the twin birth being tomorrow.

"Crown Prince must be at the New Year Court tomorrow, and as it appears now, he intends to meet his obligations," says Lene Balleby.

It remains only to wait in breathless excitement.

The Courier Mail (Brisbane) - Fair dinkum Australian names predicted for Danish royal twins but public will have to wait
Stuff.co.nz (New Zealand) - Crown Princess Mary ready to give birth
News Wooeb (Atlanta) Denmark's Princess Mary is due to give birth today
Male Extra (UK, brother to Female First ;) ) Crown Princess Mary to give birth today?
The Herald Sun Secrecy on Mary's twins

The Herald Sun photo gallery

Nine Network Today show clip (2:56)
TV2 clip (4:23) - interview with BB editor-in-chief Annemette Krakau and journalist Anna Johannesen (the Danish journalist who 'discovered' Mary in Sydney). They say Billed Bladet is ready for the twins' arrival!

7 News clip (1:49)

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Update:

• Seven News clip (1:54) 11am bulletin

• Seven News in Sydney (6pm bulletin) had an interesting twist on today's events: they reported that Mary stayed at home while Frederik rushed to the maternity wing at Righospitalet for a visit! Bet they don't put that news clip up on the net :D

• Billed Bladet Frederik has cleared his calendar and is ready for all his paternal duties

• The Copenhagen Post

Thanks gudinde, and Adelaide :))

Margrethe, Henrik & Frederik @ final Grand New Year Court

Photo © Polfoto/EkstraBladet

Wednesday 5 January 2011 | Queen Margrethe, Prince Henrik and Crown Prince Henrik attended the final New Year's Court at Christiansborg Palace today for the officers from Defence and Emergency Management, the First, Second and Third rank classes and invited representatives of major national organisations and each of their patronages. The Queen and Prince Henrik arrived in the golden coach escorted by the Guard Hussar Regiment Horse Cortage.

The coach is pulled by six draught horses with two outriders. Following the coach is an escort of 45 guard hussars. The golden coach, also known as "King Cstian VIII's coach", was built by coach builder Henry Fife in 1840, and is plated with 24-carat gold leaf. Below the carriage waiting at Amalienborg:

Ekstra Bladet The Queen braved cold and snow for the final grand New Year court at Christiansborg Palace today for the last of the courts which dominate the first days of the New Year.

B.T. gallery

TV2 clip (3:14) - the Golden Coach leaves Amalienborg on procession to Christiansborg Palace
TV2 clip (0:54)
Berlingske Tidende clip (1:04)

Margrethe, Henrik & Frederik at New Year courts @ Amalienborg & Christiansborg

Photo © Jens Nørgaard Larsen/B.T.

Today Queen Margrethe, Prince Henrik and Crown Prince Frederik attended the New Year's Court for the judges of the Supreme Court and the two Guards regiments, the Guard Hussar Regiment and the Royal Life Guards, at Christian VII's palace, Amalienborg, and then later attended the New Year's Court for the Diplomatic Corps at Christiansborg Palace. These courts are known as the 'small courts' to distinguish from the final Grand Court on January 5, although oddly it is all very grand. As with the New Year's Court and Banquet on January 1, Crown Princess Mary had sent her apologies because she is on maternity leave. Extra Bladet attempted to make a bit of a story suggesting Crown Prince Frederik didn't 'turn up'. However Frederik had been at Christian VII’s Palæ at Amalienborg at 9:50am entering from  a back entrance presumably after walking from home across the square. At Christiansborg Palace (House of Parliament) Frederik arrived right on time at 11:25am. The watch on Frederik is to gauge what is happening with Mary no doubt, so no news on that front today.


Photos © Jens Nørgaard Larsen/B.T., Hasse Ferrold/ICC, Hanne Juul/Billed Bladet. The horse on parade at Christiansborg Palace in the Guard Hussars is specially trained to tolerate noise and distractions including the drum being played.

B.T. - after a bad day in the tabloid frontline yesterday, B.T. reports that Frederik was at the New Year Courts without Mary by his side. On arrival at Christiansborg Frederik was peppered by questions by the waiting media but walked past all of them reviewing the Life Guards and then entered Hall for the Diplomatic Court. The Regent Couple did the same shortly afterward. Tomorrow the final New Year's Court takes place in which Crown Prince Frederik will also participate. Again it will be at Christiansborg Palace for the officers of the armed forces, the Danish Emergency Management Agency and representatives from all the patronages of the Queen, Prince Henrik and Frederik.

ICC gallery
Berlingske Tidende gallery
Billed Bladet gallery of the Diplomatic Corps arrival at Christiansborg
Demotix gallery



TV2 clips of Supreme Court and Royal Guards arriving at Amalienborg Palace and then the Diplomatic Corps at Christiansborg Palace.

• To see all the clips on DRFGARDEN's visit the YouTube channel here and access 279 clips on current count. The above is the whole ceremony 21:04

Thanks Jema and gudinde :)))

Royal Danish New Year Court & Banquet 2011

Photo © Hasse Ferrold / ICC

Queen Margrethe, Prince Henrik, Crown Prince Frederik, Prince Joachim and Princess Marie have attended one of Royal Denmark's grandest occasions of the year, the New Year's Court and Banquet for the government, representatives of official Denmark and the Court in Christian VII's palace at Amalienborg. Princess Elizabeth (cousin to the Queen) was on the guest list, but we did not see her arrive. Crown Princess Mary sent her apologies some time ago due to her advanced pregnancy. One of the ways we can tell this is a grand occasion - for the uninitiated - is that the royals wear their Order of the Elephant on the chain, not on the blue ribbon.

Photos © Hasse Ferrold / ICC, Zimbio / Bauer Griffin

The guest list at Kongehuset.dk
The banquet menu at Kongehuset.dk

TV2 article - 'Skål i rosenborgvin på Amalienborg' ~ mentions Mary's absence with apologies and names some of the guests who drank some historical Rosenborg wine with the soup course. They have a single glass of what is probably the world's oldest Rhine wine which arrived in Denmark at the end of the 16th century. The wine, which has some fresher vintage added to make it palatable, is apparently not the greatest tasting wine to be had - but this is an interesting Danish historical tradition.

Photo © Berlingske Tidende - Riddersalen (Knight's Hall) where the court banquet is held in Christian VII Palace, Amalienborg. This is last January 1, 2010 as the Queen enters.

Berlingske Tidende gallery
B.T. gallery
Billed Bladet's gallery - scroll down

TV2 clip (01:37)
TV2 clip (00:55)

~~~~~~~~~~

Meanwhile, all the 'news' saying the twins will arrive any moment is getting a bit tiresome - but of course, as time goes on, inevitably the news will be right!
Sunrise/Seven Network news clip (4:00)
The Sydney Morning Herald - 'Princess Mary strikes a pose for coochie couture coup'

With thanks to Hasse Ferrold :))

Mary in the media

Photos © Marc Høm / Vogue.de

Anticipation for the birth of Crown Princess Mary's twins is building among royal watchers in Denmark, Australia and a world wide sprinkling too* and in the Danish and Australian media. The Crown Prince Family has spent its first Christmas and New Year at the recently renovated Frederik VIII's Palace at Amalienborg with their first night at their new home on December 17. The Crown Prince's standard was raised and Royal Guards were stationed outside. German Vogue has featured Frederik, Mary and the children and the new art works in the renovated Rococo Frederik VIII's Palace in its January 2011 issue. Even the twins make an 'appearance' wrapped in Danish red. The photographer is Marc Høm, who is married to Caroline Heering's sister and whose wedding was attended by Frederik and Mary.

According to Vogue.de's publication preview, the photo of the family together in the Knight's Hall is a reference to a Velázquez court painting. Frederik said: "Being a modern couple, we have modern interests, so we try to reconcile this with the traditional. About the renovation, we have decided to include contemporary art." The article centre's on the Crown Prince Couple's royal style in an old palace revived with modern art.

For six years Frederik VIII's Palace at Amalienborg, built in the elegant style of the European Rococo, was modernised for about €30 million. Since 1828 Frederik VIII's Palace has been in royal use and is home to the Danish Crown Prince Frederik of Denmark and Crown Princess Mary, their children Prince Christian (5) and Princess Isabella (3). In January, the royal couple is expecting twins.

"The interesting thing about modern art is that it provokes dialogue. The refurbished rooms combine respectfully restored antiques with contemporary design and historical works by Danish artists with modern art", said Crown Prince Frederik of Denmark.

Vogue.de 15 December 2010



...and three of the artists with their works in the palace:


Vogue.de photo gallery of the art and decoration in the palace interior

Photos © Marc Høm / Vogue.de

If you don't have access to the magazine and are interested in purchasing it, try emailing in English to Vogue.de at vogue@burdadirect.de.

Mary's gold dress is by Talbot Runhof

Sky News clip - Australia

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Meanwhile, don't know what News Ltd's journalist Damien Brown usually reports on, but a royal reporter he is not, at least on the evidence of his handiwork in the last few days. Where to start? Every paragraph has errors. Okay, let's just work through it one by one:

• "...the recent cancellation of several traditional Christmas and upcoming New Year events..." - Crown Princess Mary has taken 'maternity leave' for each of her pregnancies. Mary's last event before Christian was born was 13 September 2005, although paparazzi photos were taken of her walking in the palace park around Chancellory House, including the day before Christian was born, 15 October 2005 . We saw a little more of Mary before Isabella's birth on 21 April 2007 because of the balcony appearance for the Queen's birthday on 16 April 2007 and Christian beginning nursery school on 27 March 2007, otherwise her last official event was 20 March 2007. This time around Mary's last official event was at the Queen's neighbourhood reception for Fredensborg at Fredensborg Palace on 23 November 2010
• missing the New Year royal courts is hardly surprising since Mary will either be in advanced pregnancy with twins or giving birth to them or at home with them and breastfeeding (Mary encourages this in her patronages for maternal and baby health for the UN and breastfed Christian and Isabella). Mary was simply not included in the royal guest list for the New Year courts this year because she is on maternity leave and Billed Bladet reported that she sent her apologies in advance long ago. Mary would otherwise normally attend court events on January 1, 4 and 5 and then a reception later in January for her own 25 patronages. The spokeswoman for the royal family made no special confirmation that Mary would not take part - she was just not included in the regular calendar postings of events on the royal family's website Kongehuset.dk
• "[Mary and Frederik] cancelled the annual trip to Schackenborg Manor..." - Schackenborg is not the traditional place for a Danish royal Christmas, so there was nothing cancelled. The royal Christmas is normally at Marselisborg near Aarhus. Christmas 2010 was an exception because of Mary's unusual pregnancy and the Crown Prince family have just moved into Frederik VIII's palace in Copenhagen. The Queen and Prince Henrik were in the unusual position of being able to do an unusual Christmas which included Nikolai and Felix because it was Prince Joachim's turn to have them. It was the first time the Queen and Prince Henrik had Christmassed at Schackenborg. In short, all was very unusual combined with the unpredictability of a harsh northern winter.
• Mary "increasingly troubled as her stomach grows and grows"? There is no evidence Mary is at all troubled. Mary has looked happy and comfortable during all her appearances and there has been nothing to indicate otherwise. Frederik has been asked how Mary is during all his recent events and has replied she is very well and strong every time. Might Mary be tired? Quite likely, she is pregnant with twins.
• We don't know that Mary is due to give birth in 'mid-January', there has only ever been one statement - the official press release which says "January". A natural birth always includes unpredictability and wishing an end doesn't have any effect on what is a physiological process. There is no planned Cesarean unless it turns out to be medically indicated. We know a lot about the birth team since we have met most of them all before for the births of Christian and Isabella and this time round Frederik will be considered part of the birth team according to Billed Bladet. With his experience he is expected to offer more than moral support to Mary by cutting the umbilical cord of twin A and holding him or her while midwife Birgitte Hillerup helps deliver twin B.
  
• "A bonus was the surprise arrival of Professor Donaldson and his wife Susan Moody on Christmas Eve." - No, it must have been a planned visit since John Donaldson and his wife Susan now live in France and the Billed Bladet article last August says they will visit Denmark later in the year, ie: now. Christian and Isabella are accustomed to John and Susan looking after them when Frederik and Mary have been away (eg: their trip to the US) so it is a treat for the children while Frederik and Mary are busy delivering the twins. John and Susan used to live in Denmark but have been in France most of 2010 - see Billed Bladet's photo gallery of John and Susan at their farmhouse.
• "The couple's new home at Amalienborg, to which they moved in July" - No, The Crown Prince Family officially took up residence on December 17, 2010. Mary has been very occupied with management of the move according to Billed Bladet which also confirmed in this article on December 12 that "The pregnancy goes as planned and the Crown Princess is very busy with the move," says head of DRF communications Lene Balleby.
  

Lucy Carne of The Advertiser/Adelaide Now got it pretty right though - so it can be done!

News.com.au - Denmark's Princess Mary prepares for early birth of her twins
The Mercury (Hobart) - Mary due any day soon
The Courier Mail (Brisbane) - Princess Mary's baby due soon
Perth Now (Western Australia) - Denmark's Princess Mary prepares for early birth of her twins
The Advertiser/Adelaide Now (South Australia) - Princess Mary ready for early birth of twins : by Lucy Carne, who at least got the facts right. Good on you Lucy!
Female First repeated all the rubbish with 'Princess Mary to give birth early?'
Examiner.com - Crown Princess Mary of Denmark ready to deliver twins any minute

* evidence is based on the blog visitors, among other things.
Thanks gudinde, kimberley, Tamriko and Ayvee :))

Frederik & Mary farewell their chief-of-court Per Thornit

April 22, 2010: Crown Prince Frederik and Crown Princess Mary hosted a formal farewell reception for Per Thornit, their chief-of-court, at Amalienborg. It was announced on March 30 that Per Thornit would retire at the end of this month. A new chief-of-court is yet to be announced. Per Thornit, 68 in June, has worked for the court for 25 years, supporting and advising Frederik, Joachim, Alexandra and then Mary into their public royal life. Per Thornit and his second wife Ulla were farewelled by royal and other guests including jazz musician Fuzzy (he composed Frederik's processional music), architect Noah Whitehorn (who has overseen the restoration of Frederik VIII's palace at Amalienborg) and royal family lawyer Henrik Wedel-Wedelsborg and his wife Gitte. Although unable to attend the recent Queen's birthday celebrations, 97-year-old Mærsk Mc-Kinney Møller also attended. As well as being a long time friend of the royal family and one of the world's oldest billionaires according to Forbes, he is the only non-royal to hold the Royal Order of the Elephant. Per Thornit will continue service to the court as the treasurer of the Royal Orders of Chivalry.



Photos © Keld Navntoft/B.T., Jens Dige/POLFOTO.

The Danish Royal Court's press release -

Chief-of-Court Per Thornit resigns
Amalienborg, 30 March 2010
I have the honor to announce that chief-of-court of Their Royal Highnesses the Crown Prince and the Crown Princess, Chamberlain Per Thornit, has applied to retire from his position at the end of April this year after 25 years of service.

Her Majesty The Queen has expressed her appreciation for the Chamberlain's excellent service.

Per Thornit has served with the Royal Family since 1985, when he was hired as head of the Cabinet Secretariat. From 1990 Per Thornit functioned as Chief Secretary to Their Royal Highnesses Crown Prince Frederik and Prince Joachim and then from 2004 as Chamberlain to Their Royal Highnesses the Crown Prince and the Crown Princess.

Her Majesty the Queen has decided that following his resignation, Per Thornit is to take over the office of Treasurer of the Royal Danish Orders of Chivalry after the current Chamberlain, Ambassador Paul Fischer.

A successor is expected to be appointed shortly.

Henning Fode
Her Majesty the Queen's
Cabinet Secretary

Berlingske Tidende - The Chamberlain of the Crown Prince Couple's Court Per Thornit, resigns at the end of April, the court has announced.
Per Thornit has been with the Royal house since 1985, when he was hired as head of the Cabinet secretariat.
From 1990 Per Thornit acted as a head of court for Crown Prince Frederik and Prince Joachim and from 2004 as a head of royal staff for the Crown Prince and the Crown Princess.
Her Majesty The Queen pronounces "her appreciation of the head of royal staff's excellent service" and has decided that Per Thornit, after his resignation, is to be Treasurer of The Royal Danish Order of Chivalry, writes the court in its press release.
A successor as a head of royal staff is expected appointed soon.

Billed Bladet 'Mary og Frederiks hofchef fratræder sin stilling' - Mary's and Frederik's chief of staff resigns his position.
The last working day approaches for one of the royal family's most trusted employees.
By his own request the Crown Prince Couple's head of royal staff Per Thornit resigns his position at the end of April 2010.
He has covered many different positions since he was employed as head of the cabinet secretariat in 1985.
Since 2004 Per Thornit has been the head of royal staff for Crown Prince Frederik and Crown Princess Mary.
Most recently he has played a part in putting distinctive marks on the renovation of the Crown Prince Couple's next home at Amalienborg by originating the idea of letting Danish artists decorate parts of the palace.
Queen Margrethe expresses her appreciation of his excellent service in connection with Per Thornit's resignation.

Jyllands Posten 'Frederik og Joachims reservefar går' -
Frederik's and Joachim's substitute father leaves
by ELSE BOELSKIFTE
Published 30.03.10 at 13:34 - updated at 13:37

The Crown Prince has to have new head of royal staff, after his closest personal guide for 20 years has announced his departure.

For 20 years Per Thornit has helped Crown Prince Frederik, 14 of them also with Prince Joachim, who was their nearest personal advisor and the adult they were closest to in their younger days.

Now he chooses to leave the position as a the Crown Prince Couple's head of royal staff with his exit at the end of April.

Per Thornit will be 68 years old in June.

Started in Cabinet Secretariat

He has known Crown Prince Frederik and Prince Joachim since they were 17 years and 16 years, and he began at Amalienborg as head of the Queen's Cabinet Secretariat.

The head of royal staff (Chamberlain), a title he got in 2004, has been known for his own firm opinions which have not always been in agreement with The Queen's Lord Chamberlains' [Ove Ullerup] during his time as a secretarial manager of the two princes.

He stood at one time for maintaining distance from the relentless media before the royal house employed its first head of communication and public affairs, Lis M. Frederiksen.

"Here in the palace we manage [what is] outside. I think it's easier for me to maintain distance and say "no comment", than it'd be for a press spokesperson who [reduces] distance. That is what I also think is the peoples' wish," Per Thornit said in an interview with Jyllands-Posten in 2002.

Stays treasurer

Per Thornit has followed the renovation of the Crown Prince Couple's next home at Amalienborg, Frederik VIII's Palace, very closely.

He is very enthusiastic about art and in that role has also been able to act as a qualified adviser to Frederik and Mary.

The Queen has decided that Per Thornit is to take over the office as a treasurer of The Royal Danish Knights Orders after his resignation at the [end of] the current chamberlain's, ambassador Paul Fischer's [tenure].

B.T. - photo gallery