Mary & Frederik present their new little prince & little princess : "Right now we have our hands full"

Crown Princess Mary, Crown Prince Frederik and their newborn twins have left Rigshospitalet via a walk 'n talk with the press and also greeted hospital patients, staff and members of the public who gathered to see them at a little after 3:30pm Denmark time. Mary carried the little prince and Frederik carried the little princess. This blogger has to say that Prince Henrik's humour needs some work - they are beautiful babies. When asked by a member of the media what they thought about Prince Henrik's comment that babies are ugly (including these ones!), Frederik just said "I won't say anything about that" and gave a big smile.

They said the little princess is the calmer of the two and they sleep together. Mary said the birth was an amazing experience and that it went so well. The babies have not slept that much and but they have been nursing alot. Mary spoke in English to say they had been following the news from Australia about the Queensland floods and they sent their best wishes to the people of Queensland. She said they had no firm plans yet about a trip to Australia but want to do it as soon as possible to introduce the two new little ones to their family in Australia. They said they had been thinking about names for a long time - but of course, no information until the christening on that front. Mary said Isabella quickly assumed the tender role of tucking in the new little ones. Frederik was asked about Prince Joachim and he said that of course he had heard from Prince Joachim, who was happy. The Crown Prince Couple said they have some wonderful photos of the new little ones with Prince Christian and Princess Isabella. Mary said they are working hard to get the twins synchronised, which they already are somewhat, and that Frederik helped enormously with his great love and support. They say they can see both their similarities and their differences and the Crown Prince Couple changed arms to position each of the babies so the press could get good photos. Frederik looked eager to leave, although both were comfortable throughout the press call, and he said that it is because the twins are doing well that they are confident in leaving the hospital. They were asked about having more children and Frederik replied they would have to discuss that (maybe "no"?) and that they were looking forward to getting home to be "a family of six".

They moved to go outside, put on two little hats for the cold and went to the car, placed the twins inside, and Frederik drove home to Amalienborg.

• Sorry there was no easy direct link : it is all here now

• Frederik is wearing a bracelet for support for troops in Afghanistan (for those wondering)

Photos © Chris Jackson/Getty Images Europe, Getty Images, Reuters Images 

TV2's full clip of the departure (17:57)

DR.dk's full clip of the departure (13:08)

TV2 - 3 clips from their live blog page

DR.dk clip (1:16)

ZDF.de clip (1:57)

Berlingske Tidende gallery
Billed Bladet's gallery
B.T. gallery
Jyllands Posten gallery
The Huffington Post Princess Mary Of Denmark Debuts Newborn Twins (PHOTOS)
Bunte.de gallery
Ekstra Bladet gallery
MSN Starlounge gallery
Fyens.dk gallery
Gala.de gallery


Hello! magazine Proud parents Mary and Frederik of Denmark head home with twins
The Copenhagen Post First pictures! Tiniest royals ready to head home
The Daily Telegraph Princess Mary shows off royal twins
The Herald Sun Mary and Fred show off their twins to world's media
The Daily Mail Double joy as Crown Prince Frederik of Denmark and wife Mary show off their newborn twins

Thanks Librian, Princess Robijn, Benedikte and Alexmary :))

...and, more to come.

Mary, Frederik & the twins to leave hospital quietly, without flash

© AP Photos/DayLife

Crown Princess Mary leaves hospital today with her newborn twins who were born on January 8, 2011 26 minutes apart. As they did with Christian and Isabella, Mary and Frederik will leave through the foyer at Rigshospitalet past the arrayed media. It will not be a drawn out departure, probably not much more than 10 minutes, and the media has already been asked to keep the noise down and they are not to use camera flashes. Some may remember the media 'shushing' each other at Christian's departure. One of the most relieved to be going home will no doubt be Crown Prince Frederik. Former sister-in-law Countess Alexandra revealed after her visit with her husband Martin and children princes Nikolai and Felix, that Frederik appeared more tired than Crown Princess Mary. She said Mary was up and about with lots of energy, while Frederik appeared more tired than Mary, but they are extremely happy.
From what we have seen Frederik has been very busy sharing himself between Rigshospitalet and Amalienborg, between Mary and the new babies and Frederik's and Mary's oldest children Christian, 5, and Isabella, 3. "I think they will happy to get home and start life as a whole family," said Alexandra.The twins have already been dubbed "double trouble" by their father. The names of the two newborns will not be revealed until Mary announces them at their christening.

While we wait for the exit... which is a few hours away. The exact time is not yet known, although Berlingske Tidende says between 3pm and 4pm, it is dark early in Denmark in January. For safety there´s a black line on the floor in the foyer where the twins will be presented and a partitioned area for the reporters to stand behind.

It is about one hour from now - it is 2:30pm in Denmark at time of this post... will try to post a link to view the departure.

The Copenhagen Post 2010 was the year of William and Ida


TV2 clip (1:41)

Reporters, photographers and cameramen have taken up position at Rigshospitalet ready to document the departure of the newborn royal twins, to be displayed to the public for the first time.

"It is quite hectic here in the lobby. There is a forest of camera tripods in place. PET (security police) has just been down and asked the photographers to move their equipment. There will be a fence up so that photographers and journalists do not get too close," says TV 2's reporter at Rigshospitalet.

There has been speculation why the two babies and Crown Princess Mary have been so long in hospital. A theory is that they, like their older brother, Prince Christian, had jaundice, which is relatively common in newborns.

Crown Prince Frederik was obviously pleased and proud when he met the press shortly after Crown Princess Mary had given birth to twins - a boy and a girl.

The exact timing of the presentation is not known but it is expected to be between 3.00pm and 4.00pm.

You may like to have a look at DRFGarden's YouTubes:
Mary & Frederik leave Rigshospitalet with Christian (2:32)
Mary & Frederik greeting waiting crowd at Fredensborg on arrival home with Christian (1:00)
Prince Christian's christening (9:01)
Crown Prince Frederik's press conference on the arrival of a baby girl (4:29)
Mary & Frederik leave hospital with their baby girl (5:21)
Mary & Frederik arrive home at Chancellory House with Isabella (1:33)
Princess Isabella's christening Part 1 (8:19)
Princess Isabella's christening Part 2 (8:19)
Princess Isabella's christening Part 3 (8:10)



DR.dk clip (00:30) the twins will be shown in the afternoon
TV2 clip (00:42) the royal twins go home today and we see them for the first time
TV2 clip (11:54) in case you want another look, a very happy and relieved Frederik at his press conference on January 8

Thanks Benedikte!  and thanks gudinde :))

Mary & the twins readying to leave hospital

As reported, the Crown Prince Couple will leave the hospital with the twins in the late afternoon tomorrow (Friday). It has been speculated in the press that the twins may have been jaundiced, which is very common among twins and premature babies. Chief Obstetrician Morten Hedegaard said the twins were born early at the press conference last Saturday. He said they had been due towards the end of January. Meanwhile, there are a few things to ponder. What will Mary wrap the twins in? Crown Princess Mary used a shawl knitted by her mother, the late Henrietta Donaldson, as a receiving blanket for both Prince Christian and Princess Isabella when leaving the hospital. It is an old traditional Shetland christening shawl pattern (like this: see Marianne Knorborg's site, who translated and developed the pattern in 2005). The other 'twin problem' for Mary and Frederik is that there is just one traditional royal 140-year-old christening robe, which has been used since Christian X was christened (see DRWs | Christening robe and font ). The royal children who have been christened in this robe are:

Prince Christian
Prince Carl (King Haakon VII of Norway from 1905)
Prince Harald
Prince Gustav
Princess Louise
Princess Thyra
Princess Dagmar
Frederik IX
Prince Knud (once Heir Presumptive to the Throne)
Queen Margrethe
Princess Benedikte
Queen Anne-Marie
Princess Elisabeth
Count Ingolf of Rosenborg
Count Christian of Rosenborg
Crown Prince Frederik
Prince Joachim
Prince Christian
Princess Isabella

One problem is sorted however. The babies will have a twins pram from Odder. Prince Christian and Princess Isabella had an Odder pram (so did princes Nikolai and Felix) and Mary has ordered one in beige for the twins. Not only has the Odder factory made prams for the current younger generation, but in 2007 they did a special commission for Queen Margrethe, which demonstrates both her sense of history and sense of humour. The Queen found an old pram in the attics at Amalienborg which was used for her as a small child. She thought the next generation should also enjoy it, so the charming old wagon received a new set of wheels, a new hood and it had a license plate mounted on it which said [roughly] 'quite small Crown car'. The Queen gave it to Christian and Isabella to play with at Chancellory House.

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

Berlingske Tidende Royal twins suffering from jaundice

Says there is speculation about why the twins are still in hospital six days after their birth. Berlingske Tidende quotes B.T. that the twins are suffering jaundice.

"Mary and the kids are doing well, but the twins have been undergoing treatment for jaundice," says a source from University Hospital to B.T. The source is also known by Berlingske Tidende.

Jaundice is usually a harmless condition which colors the skin and eyes yellow. The twins right now lie in a special ultra violet light box that breaks down the substance called bilirubin that causes jaundice.

The condition often affects premature babies, and last Saturday obstetrician Morten Hedegaard said that the twins were born a few weeks before term.

Both twins scored the highest points on the Apgar score, and both had good birth weights, despite the fact that they are born prematurely. The little prince weighed 2674 grams and measured 47 cm, while the little princess weighed 2554 grams and measured 46 cm.

The court does not want to comment on the children's health, but confirms that it is their small sizes which keeps them in the hospital.

"They are doing really well and everything is as it should be. They are still hospitalised because they are small babies who are born prematurely. It is therefore quite natural that they are staying longer in hospital than single birth babies," says the court's press chief Lene Balleby to B.T.

When Prince Christian was born five years ago the Crown Prince Couple had to take their firstborn back to the hospital for light treatment because he developed jaundice after six days. Therefore in the first images of the little prince he had a yellowish tinge on face and hands. Christian otherwise also had a beautiful birth - 3,500 grams and 51 cm.

Billed Bladet Twins not to go home earlier than Friday

13 January 2011 | Preben Petersen

According to Billed Bladet's information the Crown Prince Couple will not leave hospital on Thursday and it will be Friday at the earliest. There has been speculation in Denmark about when the twins will be seen. In the entrance hall at Rigshospitalet the press area is ready and the press is anticipating the announcement of when the Crown Prince Couple and their newborns leave. The Crown Prince Couple are known not to take chances when it comes to their children's well-being. Prince Christian was born on 15th October 2005 and left Rigshospitalet with his parents on 18th October 2005. Princess Isabella was born on 21st April 2007 and left the Rigshospitalet with her parents on the 23rd April 2007.

Billed Bladet Crown Princess Mary's sister looks forward to them arriving home. Billed Bladet came across Mary's sister Jane and her father.

Mary is getting the best treatment at University Hospital as anyone one could wish. But being in her own familiar environment is now the best. And all in the immediate family will be looking forward to the moment when the University Hospital's maternity ward will be replaced by the newly decorated nursery.

Also, Mary's sister looks forward to her little sister back home where she is waiting with her father. "We look forward to the twins arriving home," Jane Stephens said today when she and John Donaldson went for a walk around Amalienborg Palace in the company of the Crown Prince couple's dog Ziggy.

Hello! magazine Princess Mary and twins to go home in next few days
Berlingske Tidende Mary's sister visited the twins for nine hours and Susan Moody and John Donaldson also visited

Berlingske Tidende gallery the twins' siblings
Berlingske Tidende gallery the twins are 'so-oo big'

ZDF.de clip

Photos © Martin Høien/Billed Bladet, Jesper Sunesen/Billed Bladet, Getty Images

Thanks cph :))

Official statement : Mary & the twins to leave hospital tomorrow

Photo © Martin Høien/Billed Bladet

The Crown Prince Couple's website:

TRH the Crown Prince and Crown Princess are leaving Rigshospitalet

Issued Thursday January 13, 2011

Their Royal Highnesses the Crown Prince and Crown Princess are leaving Rigshospitalet in Copenhagen with the new born twins tomorrow on January 14 in late afternoon. There will be a brief photo opportunity in the vestibule at Rigshospitalet.

Please observe that the use of flash is not allowed in consideration of the newborns.

Kind Regards

Lene Balleby
Head of Communications


Kongehuset

Mary & her twins enjoy close family but remain in hospital

Photo © Billed Bladet | Jesper Sunesen: Frederik busy going between the palace and the hospital

In Denmark today there is no information yet on when Crown Princess Mary and the twins might be leaving hospital. This is no doubt a good thing since it should be the health of the twins and their mother which determines the media schedule, not the other way around. Billed Bladet reports that at 9:30 this morning Crown Prince Frederik has taken Prince Christian and Princess Isabella to visit their mother and their new brother and sister. It is reported that yesterday in the evening Mary had a quiet time with just family visitors and her sister Jane, who stayed with her for around 8 hours. Billed Bladet has since reported that after a two hour visit with Mary and the twins, Crown Prince Frederik returned the children to Amalienborg Palace with a tear stained Isabella in his arms. The older children have been separated from their mother since Saturday and Frederik, in collaboration with John Donaldson, Susan Moody and the children's nannies are trying to ensure that Christian and Isabella are doing as well as can be at home at Amalienborg.

Billed Bladet Christian and Isabella enjoy a cosy morning with Mary

12 January 2011 | Ulrik Ulriksen

There is every indication that Mary will not leave the University Hospital today after her oldest royal rugrats have been visiting.

This morning Crown Prince Frederik picked up Prince Christian and Princess Isabella at Amalienborg Palace so that they could visit Rigshospitalet's maternity ward to be together with Mary and twins.

Christian was in top form as he arrived at the hospital at half past nine in the morning. Christian and Isabella had a couple of large teddy bears with them...

The Crown Princess spent a snug evening yesterday with visits from immediate family: Frederik took Christian, Isabella and her father John Donaldson plus her eldest sister Jane. Jane in particular was with Mary and the twins at the maternity ward for almost eight hours.

B.T. Snuck in with Christian and Isabella:

Mary's sister in secret visit to the hospital

KARINA SVEN FARM Tuesday, 11 January 2011, 17:22

The twins are already a major attraction within the family. On Tuesday afternoon Christian and Isabella visited again. And Mary's stepmother had visited earlier. And yesterday Mary's sister was in the hospital for nine hours.

The noses of hyper-attentive Danish journalists and photographers and the Australian newspaper The Mercury [ie: News Ltd's Lucy Carne 'syndicated' to 9 or more masts] spotted Mary's sister Jane Stephens at Rigshospitalet.

Since the jungle drums sounded, she made more than a 24-hour-long trip from Tasmania to Denmark to see the new family members, the press has pretty well been on our toes. But in vain.

Jane Stephens landed on Monday and subsequently spent nine hours at the hospital in the company of her sister, her brother-in-law and the newborns.

She arrived at the hospital in one of the royal family's cars, but did not want to talk to the press which were present. She had a large gift from a local children's store with her.

At 20.45, Jane left the hospital again, this time in the company of Prince Christian, Princess Isabella and their father the Crown Prince.

Late on Tuesday afternoon, Christian and Isabella once again visited their new siblings.

Photo © B.T./Jeppe Michael Jensen

The Courier Mail Mary and twins preparing to go home
Female First.uk Princess Mary and twins to leave hospital

Billed Bladet Isabella sad at leaving Mary
Digital Journal Opinion: Danish monarchy shines, while politics sputters
The Huffington Post Princess Mary Gives Birth To Twins In Copenhagen
CBS News Celebrity Circuit Denmark's Crown Princess Gives Birth to Twins
The Examiner Danish royal twins greeted with joy and passports
Aol News Danish Crown Princess Gives Birth to Twins

TV2 gallery - an interesting look at what some of the world press made of Mary's twin's birth


DRFGarden YouTube of Frederik's press conference (12:20)
TV2 early news report from TV2. The media is ready for the twins to leave hospital, but are they?

Christian's & Isabella's big week (plus a wrap)

After the excitement of the birth of the twins, news has slowed down as we wait to find out when the Crown Prince Couple will leave hospital with the newborn babies. Ekstra Bladet reports that the hospital foyer might be mistaken for a painter's conference because of the 30 or so step ladders crowding the area. The media organisations and photographers set up step ladders for the best vantage points for when Mary and Frederik exit with the babies. Journalists from Denmark and abroad are hoping to secure the best possible place for photos and questions although it is not yet known when Crown Prince Couple will show themselves and their newborns to the Danish people.

Meanwhile Prince Christian and Princess Isabella have had their own busy week, B.T. reports. Last Tuesday, January 4, Christian and Isabella attended the Garnison Sogns Menigheds Børnehave (Garrison Parish Church's Preschool) which is very close to Amalienborg. The kindergarten newsletter simply welcomes "Christian and Isabella" and has refused to comment more. In something familiar to all families the world over, the newsletter warned parents to check their children's hair for lice. Even royals are not immune to the fundamentals of everyday life! Prince Felix attended this kindergarten before 'graduating' to Krebs' School, where Nikolai attends, and which Frederik and Joachim also attended as children. The kindergarten is attached to the church which Crown Prince Frederik, Crown Princess Mary, Christian and Isabella attended for church service last Christmas Eve. There are many new arrangements for the Crown Prince Family since moving into the newly renovated Frederik VIII's palace at Amalienborg. It now seems very likely that the drive Crown Princess Mary made across the square at Amalienborg last week with Ziggy to pick up the children was a drive to pick them up at their new kindergarten. B.T. sources confirm that the royal couple have been driving Christian and Isabella to kindergarten, just as any parents do. The kindergarten is a private institution which has around seven nursery children aged 2-3 years and 31 children aged 3-6 years. The kindergarten writes on their website that they give very high priority to play and friendship, so perhaps, B.T. suggests, it is here that Prince Christian and Princess Isabella will meet good friends they will have for life.

Visitors to the twins yesterday and today included Countess Alexandra, Princes Nikolai and Felix and Martin Jørgensen, Julie Mølsgaard and Ellen Hillingsø. Mary's eldest sister Jane Stephens spent 9 hours at the maternity ward with Mary and the twins after arriving from Australia and missing the media scrum in the foyer by going in another entrance, as did Christian and Isabella. 


Prince Henrik has caused a stir (another!) with his comments about newborns. Henrik can always be depended upon for some colour, and there is no doubt that Frederik and Mary would understand exactly what he means with no offence taken. There is no doubt he is an attentive and loving grandfather to all his grandchildren, if photographic evidence is a measure. (see below)

B.T. Ellen Hillingsø shakes her head at the Henrik:'They are not ugly'

Kenan SEEBERG | KARINA SVEN FARM (BT-KSV) - Tuesday, 11 January 2011, 13:37

Actress Ellen Hillingsø disagree with Prince Henrik's assessment of the royal twins.

Hillingsø visited his childhood friend Crown Prince Frederik [for a half hour visit]...

Is it true that the twins are ugly like Prince Henrik says, bt.dk asked her.

"No, no,no," she replied.

How were they?

"They are extremely cute," she smiled.

Ellen Hillingsø's friendship with Crown Prince Frederik is one of the many friendships that have been passed down in the royal family. Their mothers, Birgitte Hillingsø and Queen Margrethe, went to school together.

1) and 2) Alexandra, Nikolai, Martin Jørgensen and Felix, 3) Ellen Hillingsø, 4) some of the waiting media

Photos © HELLO!magazine.com, B.T./Jeppe Michael Jensen, SN.dk/Thomas Arnbo, B.T./Nils Meilvang

MSN Starlounge Christian photographed arriving at the hospital

Due to a strong cold Prince Christian did not see the twins before Sunday...Late Monday, he returned to Rigshospitalet to visit his mother and the two new siblings.

As with the visit on Sunday, Crown Prince Frederik's and Crown Princess Mary's eldest son used a lift to access the maternity ward. Mary's father, John Donaldson, together with his wife Susan Moody take care of Christian and his little sister, Princess Isabella, while Mary is in hospital. Lightening the load for Frederik who as a father of four, he has his hands full. "The Crown Prince is actually more tired than the Crown Princess. They look forward to getting home and getting started with a regular routine. It is, of course, a handful for them, but I am sure they will do it well," said Countess Alexandra, when she visited earlier in the day with Martin Jørgensen and the new babies cousins, Prince Felix and Prince Nikolai. Mary's sister Jane Stephens has also just arrived in Copenhagen to help with the newborns.

B.T. speculates about Frederik and Mary needing more help with the children. Frederik and Mary have remained hands-on parents even though they have had various nannies. They spend a lot of time with the children, read them stories and comfort them if they have bad dreams just as any parents do.

SN.dk A bit of a stir from Prince Henrik. He has suggested that newborn babies are not beautiful, including his own grandchildren.

Prince Henrik is on one of the annual royal hunts today and was asked about the new babies. "They are as ugly as other babies. I do not think that babies are beautiful,"said Prince Henrik Tuesday morning about the Crown Prince couple's newborn twins. His reply came before setting out for the hunt. "But the twins are cute above all, they have some good potential, so I'm happy about them. The best part is that their parents are happy and well and that the Crown Princess is in fine form," he said,...

The Daily Telegraph Princess Mary's twins meet siblings
Hello! magazine Denmark's new little prince and princess start to receive first visitors
The Mercury (Hobart) Mary leaving hospital soon

Thanks commoner, cph and gudinde :))

Mary has given birth to a prince and a princess! Frederik: "two healthy children"

Crown Prince Frederik has appeared at the traditional post birth press conference with the same elation we witnessed when Prince Christian and Princess Isabella were born, but 'times two'. Chief Obstetrician Dr Morten Hedegaard said the birth started spontaneously, it was around 5 hours long and Crown Princess Mary did very very well to give birth without complications. He said it was a ”dreambirth” and both babies had full apgar points. Frederik said that the "narrow circle" in the family - including Queen Margrethe - had previously been informed of the sexes of the two children. "The names we are still talking about, and I've just been told that he was born on Elvis's birthday. Then one of them we'll call Elvis so far," said the Crown Prince with a smile.

Frederik said that it "was not" as nail-biting as the birth of the couple's first child, but he described it as "fantastic" and talked about how along the way during the birth "there were two small hearts to keep an eye on". "It is close to being unreal because, while standing half an hour with the first born, the mother begins fighting again to give birth again before the girl arrived, said the Crown Prince, who talked about the double worry, but also that it is "a double miracle".

• Frederik shed a tear or two, says Billed Bladet

• Countess Alexandra, mother of Princes Nikolai and Felix, congratulates the Crown Prince Couple

• B.T. Prince Henrik is the first visitor to see the twins

• The birth team, Morten Hedegaard, Birgitte Hillerup are in the front:

Photos © DR.dk Jeppe Michael Jensen © Scanpix, B.T. Jeppe Michael Jensen, B.T. Keld Navntoft

• The Crown Prince Couple's website

• Berlingske Tidende

It is close to being unreal
Denmark is a Prince and a Princess richer. The Crown Prince calls it a great and rich experience.
By Anders Hvass, Jens Ejsing
Saturday the 8. January 2011, 11: 40
It was a happy and cheerful Crown Prince Frederik who just after at 11.30 told the Danish people that he and the Crown Princess are parents of two healthy children.
"My wife has given birth to two healthy children. A boy first and a girl afterwards," said Frederik to the large and enthusiastic media pack at Rigshospitalet.
The newborns were born with just under a half hour interval, the first at 10.30, and the next at 10:56. According to the Crown Prince they both have dark hair, and the family are all doing well, "like the father"," as he said with a smile.
The boy is 47 cm long and weighs 2674 grams. The girl is 46 cm and weighs 2554.
Crown Prince Frederik praised his wife and at the same time said that the two older siblings have not yet been told about the births.
"I am very impressed by women and what you do. We are now taking one day at a time, now that there will be a newborn period."
He added that the Queen "gave a sigh of relief and is totally pleased" that both births went well.
He said that it "was not" as nail-biting as the birth of the couple's first child, but he described it as "fantastic" and talked about how along the way during the birth "there were two small hearts to keep an eye on".
"It is close to being unreal because, while standing half an hour with the first born, the mother begins fighting again to give birth to the next before the girl arrived, said the Crown Prince, who talked about the double worry, but also that it is "a double miracle".
He could not say anything about what the twins will be called, but noted, however, with a gleam in the eye, that they are born on the same date as The King, Elvis Presley, and said: "so that we can all start to call him Elvis."
Congratulations are already beginning to flow in. The Prime Minister was among the first to send a congratulations [with flowers and toys for the babies], and Prince Henrik was the first to visit.

• Billed Bladet At the hospital right now: Frederik could not hold back the tears

The proud new father admitted honestly he was not able to hold back the tears.
08 January 2011 | Preben Petersen
Crown Prince Frederik followed his own tradition and shed a tear or two over the birth of the twins at Rigshospitalet.
When he stood before the many press officers in the lobby at Rigshospitalet, he admitted with a smile to Billed Bladet's Anna Johannesen, that he wept.
"Yes, I don't think we should hold back," said the Crown Prince with a big smile to Billed Bladet's questions.
The pace of birth came on fairly quickly, but the Crown Prince was clear: "We have felt reassured through the entire process, said Frederik on own and Crown Princess Mary's behalf."

The Sydney Morning Herald A boy and girl for Mary
The Daily Telegraph Princess Mary gives birth to twins in Copenhagen hospital
TV2 article Prins Elvis? - in the press conference Frederik made a joke about calling the boy Prince Elvis because it is Elvis' birthday (see
News.com.au - Thousands of Elvis fans flock to Parkes)
News.com.au Princess Mary has given birth to twins in a Copenhagen hospital
The Australian Princess Mary gives birth to twins

• B.T. Frederik: Mother is totally happy

NICOLAI HOLLE | SUSANNE JOHANSSON-Saturday the 8. January 2011, 12: 15
The Crown Prince has a huge smile and good news after a successful birth
Bathed in camera flashes Crown Prince Frederik today conveyed the good news at Rigshospitalet.
"Their mother is totally happy," was the message from the happy father who has just been blessed with twins.
"It is a miracle times two (...) It is, of course, double trouble, until they are born. But now we have peace of mind. We are confident and extremely satisfied. We feel very safe now," said the fledgling father of twins to the world press.
He characterises the birth as a 'dream birth'.
The first birth took place at 10.30 when the boy was born. Approximately half an hour afterwards the girl arrived.
And so it was the culmination of the twin pregnancy which has occupied Danish and foreign media in the last little while. And as has been well:
"The birth has been tremendous. First comes the one and a half hour later the next came out. It is unreal for a father and a husband," the happy Crown Prince said.

• Jyllands Posten

By Sarah Kott | ELSE Boelskifte | KAARE SØRENSEN Published 8:01:11 pm. 11:33 the article is updated Crown Princess Mary has given birth to two beautiful children. "A miracle times two," says an enthusiastic Crown Prince. "I'm here to tell something wonderful. Mary has given birth to two beautiful children ... a boy first ... and a girl afterwards," said the Crown Prince to reporters at the University Hospital before he was applauded enthusiastically.

A miracle times two 

The prince weighs 2674 grams and is 47 centimeters long, while the princess is 2554 grams and 46 centimeters. They were born with a half-hour interval - the prince at 10:30 and the princess at as 10:56. The children have dark hair." "Their mother is doing well," said the Crown Prince, who called the birth "a miracle times two." He described himself as relieved and overjoyed. "We could not be more happy than we were this time." "There is two lots of care and two lots of attention. There are two hearts to keep an eye on. I've been really close to it. You [I - is using royal you] stand in the first half hour period while the mother must fight on. And then came the next - a girl," said Crown Prince Frederik. He said that the "narrow circle" in the family - including Queen Margrethe - had previously been informed of the sexes in the two children. "We are still talking about the names, and I've just been told that the boy was born on Elvis's birthday. Then one of them we'll call Elvis so far," said the Crown Prince with a smile. The 38-year-old Crown Princess Mary and 42-year-old Crown Prince Frederik already have children Prince Christian, five years, and Princess Isabella, three years, who are respectively number two and three in succession to the throne. 

Maybe more kids? 

He would not directly deny that there could be more children. "I will not stand here and say without my better half. The Crown Princess has done it extremely well," said the Crown Prince.

Medical team behind the birth was also satisfied. 

"It was almost a dream birth. The Crown Princess has given birth little before her due date, which was in late January...," said the Crown Princess's obstetrician, clinical chief Morten Hedegaard. 

First twins in succession 

It is the first time that twins are in the line of succession. They are at number four or five. So far, the only twins in the Glücksburg family that descended from the royal family, was Countess Camilla Josephine of Rosenborg, but [her twins] are not in the line of succession. Mary has both prince and princess 

...Three midwives and two doctors delivered the newborns. Chief Clinician Morten Hedegaard, who in recent weeks has remained ready to assist the Crown Princess together with Professor Peter Damm. Moreover department midwife Birgitte Hillerup, now has a record of helping all Frederik's and Mary's flock into to the world. Also chief midwife Mette Simonsen is experienced in royal births, while deputy chief midwife Agnes Nørrelund was new. After the birth the royal couple and the newborns are in the "pink room" in the maternity ward, where there is plenty of room to welcome all the guests who are expected in the next days. Like other expectant twin parents they are expected to stay between four and seven days in hospital. Just as the doctors and midwives are well known, the same goes for "pink room", for it was here that the Crown Princess gave birth to Christian and Isabella. It was of academic interest which room the birth took place out of the 13 rooms at the maternity ward, where there is the equipment which may be required by a twin birth. 

• Politiken 

Happy Frederik: 'a miracle' times two * Mary has born two healthy children. A boy first and a girl afterwards, says a happy Crown Prince Frederik. * Boy weighs 2674 grams. The girl 2554 grams. The boy is 47 cm and the girl 46 cm, they were born with a half an hour interval. The first was born 10.30am, says the Crown Prince, and confirmed that the Crown Prince Couple have known the children's sex for a while... "We are very relieved and overjoyed. We could not be more happy once again than we have been this time". 
Both the newborn has dark hair. "It is such a big moment. Both twins have dark hair and they both made some noise on their own. I am very impressed by women, and what they can do," says Crown Prince Frederik, also confirming that the Crown Prince Couple have already spoken about possible names for the two babies. "It was almost unreal because we were faced with the first, and the mother must continue to work to bring the second and then there's a girl. It was quite amazing" Crown Prince Frederik says about the labour. Prince Christian and Princess Isabella have not yet spoken with their parents, says Crown Prince Frederik. On the other hand, the Queen and the Prince Consort received the a call about the arrival. "The Queen welcomed the fact that both births went well," says Crown Prince Frederik, confirming that there are two small beds ready for the new little ones. He welcomes the fact that the birth has gone so well. "The time and the speed is not so important here," said the Crown Prince to the question about how he had gone with the quick birth. "As I have thought most of the time, it has been whether things are going well. There are two small hearts, we must keep an eye on all the time," he said. The Crown Prince explained that throughout the entire process he and the Crown Princess had felt to be in the safe hands of the birth team, who had cared for them through the twin pregnancy through to the very birth. There is still no plan for how long the Crown Princess is to remain at the University Hospital, says Crown Prince Frederik. The waiting press had many questions for the proud father, and one of the journalists wanted to know whether the couple had the courage to have even more children. "We are now taking one day at a time, now there will be a period of little babies," said Frederik, it was not the time to think about whether there were more children in their family. "I will not stand here and say anything. I must speak with my better half," he said."

• DFGarden YouTube - Mary gives birth to a boy and a girl (12:00) - Frederik's full press conference

Berlingske Tidende gallery
DR.dk gallery

Explore Billed Bladet here

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After some sleep downunder, I'll be back with more. There is a deluge still to come :))

Margrethe visits, John Donaldson visits & two 21 gun salutes for newborn prince and princess

The Queen said the twins are not so big but are very fine and all in the family are very happy. Normally the Queen is a bit reserved with the press, but today she was a radiant and proud grandmother. The Queen's visit lasted about an hour and she spoke to the press afterwards.
"They are not so big but very fine ... We are all very pleased, all of us in the family... and the parents are feeling very well, both of them I think ... My daughter-in-law looks wonderful and the children do as well ... I'm so pleased for the Crown Princess that her father is here. He has been here for Christmas ... It's nice for her to have her family with her."
Her Majesty had a little gift, but she did not want to say what it was.

Photos © DR.dk/Keld Navntoft/Scanpix, B.T.,Berlingske Tidende

• Ekstra Bladet clip - Queen Margrethe

• TV2 clip (4:18) interview with John Donaldson

• It seems Christian has a cold and so he and Isabella may not visit their new brother and sister today, they heard the news with everyone and smiled but John Donaldson is not sure they entirely understand.

• Billed Bladet Mary's father proudly praises his daughter

January 8, 2011 | Jan Bergman

Immediately after Her Majesty the Queen had left the University Hospital, Crown Princess Mary's father came down from the delivery room.

And it was certainly a happy and enthusiastic grandfather, who welcomed his two new grandchildren.

"They are amazing," he said, and revealed that he thinks they look like Princess Isabella.

John Donaldson also praised his daughter and told her that she is quite unique and that she even has the energy make jokes and have a bit of fun, but did not elaborate on this further.

While Crown Princess Mary has been at University Hospital, her father was home at the Royal Palace, with Prince Christian and Princess Isabella.

Prince Christian and Princess Isabella were given the happy news while their grandfather was with them and they both smiled, he said.

John Donaldson, who has been in Denmark since before Christmas, is apparently not busy with traveling again yet, as he told me that he will remain in the country at least one more week.

• Berlingske Tidende Canon salute to the little prince and princess

The guns thundered at Holmen and Elsinore in honor of the royal twins.
Saturday 8 January 2011, 12:35
Flags immediately flew to the top of both government buildings and ships, when Denmark Saturday got a prince and a princess.
And at midday guns thundered in both Elsinore and Copenhagen. Twenty one shots were fired twice with smoke and steam from the Battery Sixtus on Holmen [Copenhagen] and from Kronborg Castle [at Elsinore] in honor of the two small newborns.
There were two minutes between the two shot series.
Cannon salute is a tradition that marks special events in the Danish royal family. Cannons boomed so also, when Crown Prince Christian was born on 15 October 2005, and when Princess Isabella was born on 21st April 2007.
The four guns used at Battery Sixtus were operated by Navy personnel. The 17 guns used at Kronborg Castle, dating from 1766-1769, were operated by gunners from the Army.
Dating back to Viking times bonfires and beacons have been used for special signals to provide information on important events.


/ Ritzau /

• B.T. Unreal for Christian and Isabella : Thinks mum comes home with dolls. Christian and Isabella are at home with John and Susan Donaldson

• B.T. Jane Stephens tells B.T. how thrilled they are at the birth by phone from Tasmania

• B.T. John Donaldson has visited and confirmed that he too is a sensitive chap, he wept when Mary was born. He says he will stay in Denmark for a week or so and one of Mary's sisters will arrive in Denmark shortly. In talking to the media he also said hopefully Mary "with her big family" will visit Australia around next Christmas. He said " Mary is great and looks radiant. She bubbles with happiness," says John Donaldson, who has cared for Prince Christian and Princess Isabella, while the Crown Prince has been at Rigshopitalet.

• B.T.

Proud Queen sees new grandchildren
The Queen: Mary looks brilliant
SUSANNE JOHANSSON | KRISTINE BUGBEE | BERIT HARTUNG
-Saturday the 8. January 2011, 15: 02
The Queen had a gift for Mary!
"Of course, I had a gift with me. What it was I do not say," sounds a delighted Queen Margrethe, who had just been visiting her daughter-in-law Mary and visited her new grandchildren, Denmark's royal twins.
"My daughter-in-law looks brilliant" and Fredrik also welcomed the happy Grandma on the visit, while she tried to leave the University Hospital.
But the questions fell into a steady stream, and she managed to say that it is a Danish tradition that naming the baby first takes place at the baptism, before she returned to Amalienborg.

• TV2 article - play clips on this page

Official statement of the birth from the court

So we get to know his face - Christian Schønau, the new Chamberlain of Crown Prince Frederik's and Crown Princess Mary's Court - he replaced Per Thornit last year. He was given the courtesy title of Chamberlain in the Queen's New Year's honours list on January 1, 2011

The Danish Court:

A Prince and a Princess are born
On 8. January 2011 Her Royal Highness Crown Princess Mary gave birth to two healthy children at Righospitalet in Copenhagen.

The son was born at 10.30
Weight: 2674 grams, length 47 cm.

The daughter was born at 10.56
Weight: 2554 grams, length 46 cm.

Mother and children are doing fine.

His Royal Highness Crown Prince Frederik was present at Rigshospitalet all the time.

Christian Schønau
Chief of the Court of
TRH The Crown Prince and Crown Princess of Denmark



Kongehuset.dk : An official statement from the Chamberlain for the Crown Prince Couple:

Det blev en Prins og Prinsesse

Hendes Kongelige Højhed Kronprinsesse Mary har den 8. januar 2011 på Rigshospitalet født to velskabte børn.

Sønnen blev født kl.: 10.30

Vægt: 2674 gram, længde: 47 cm.

Datteren blev født kl.: 10.56

Vægt: 2554 gram, længde: 46 cm.

Mor og børn har det godt.

Hans Kongelige Højhed Kronprinsen var til stede under hele forløbet på Rigshospitalet.

Christian Schønau

Hofchef

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

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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)

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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 :))