Mary, the twins & their visitors

Graphic:Politiken. The new line of succession following the birth of the twins.

Let's get to some updating! After a long and eventful day at Rigshospitalet, Crown Princess Mary had some relative calm and rest on Saturday night, with Crown Prince Frederik by her side, reported Billed Bladet and B.T. Prince Christian and Princess Isabella have visited Mary and the twins, but did so through a different entrance so they didn't have to go past the waiting media. Frederik went to Amalienborg to pick them up to take them to the hospital. They were very excited to see their new siblings, Lene Balleby told TV2. The day after the birth saw friends of the Crown Prince Couple visiting Rigshospitalet. First was Caroline and Peter Heering (private secretary to Mary, Peter is an old friend of Frederik's), Tanja and Chris Minh Doky (lady-in-waiting to Mary and Chris is an old friend of Frederik), Anja Camilla Alajdi, friend and stylist to Mary and Otto Reedzt-Thott and Helle Reedzt-Thott (Mary is godmother to one of their sons). From B.T. who spoke to Mary's friend and stylist Anja Camilla Alajdi, "Mary is up already. She is doing well, she is doing really well and looks good," says Alajdi. She is equally impressed with the new little ones. "They are very dear, very sweet and still very small. But I think they are really adorable. They have lots of hair on their heads and have great coloring!" says Anja Alajdi. Frederik has spoken to Prince Joachim on the phone and Joachim has congratulated them. Joachim and Marie are abroad on a long-planned trip, about which the court has not given any details.
Monday morning: Alexandra has visited with Martin Jørgensen, Prince Nikolai and Prince Felix. Countess Alexandra has reported to the press that Frederik is more tired than Mary. Susan and John Donaldson have also been spotted in the car park. TV2 article and clip in which Alexandra follows Nikolai's opinion that the little princess looks like Princess Isabella. Alexandra says they are looking very, very well.

• Strange fact : Mary has given birth on a Saturday each time she has given birth. In another twist, Mary herself was born on a Saturday on 5 February, 1972. Frederik was born on a Sunday.

• Gifts received by Mary include flowers and teddy bears for each twin from the Danish Prime Minister, and two little hand knitted jumpers from one of Mary's patronages the Danish Stroke Association

• Update 10 January 2011: Ekstra Bladet The Court has just announced that Mary will not go home from hospital today. The family will take at least another day in the clinical setting of Rigshospitalet.
  "They do not leave today," confirms the court's communications director, Lene Balleby, to [waiting press]. The court will in due course inform the press when the parents and the new little royals will be on show, so everyone can be ready to catch a glimpse of the yet unnamed twins. A large group of press people remain at the hospital reporting who is visiting the royal delivery room.
  
  ekstrabladet.dk can simultaneously report that the Crown Princess is making use of one room only. Reports that the Royal House used a large number of rooms are untrue. Mary has only one room at her disposal, and the rooms next to her are still available for births, said Rigshospitalet press department.

• The new line of succession was signed into law by Queen Margrethe on June 12, 2009 after votes across two parliaments and a referendum in June 2009. The first-born will be heir to the throne regardless of gender in future. The immediate consequence of this is that Princess Isabella will not be supplanted by her new little brother in the order of succession.
  

1) Caroline Heering, 2) Anja Camilla Alajdi, 3)Tanja and Chris Minh Doky, 4) Elisabeth and Christian Buchwald and their children, 5) John and Susan Donaldson, 6) Birgitte and Jeppe Handwerk, 7) Countess Alexandra, Martin Jørgensen, Prince Nikolai and Prince Felix

Photos © Jeppe Michael Jensen/B.T., Ekstra Bladet, Claus Bech/B.T.

TV2 Lene Balleby reports that Prince Christian and Princess Isabella have visited the twins, and were very excited. They came through a different entrance, away from the gathered press. "They've been there and they thought it was really exciting to see their new siblings," said the royal family's communications officer Lene Balleby to TV2.dk.
Jyllands Posten Mary's family in Hobart rejoice over birth "The family are really glad for Frederik and Mary. It makes us really very happy that the twins are healthy and happy and that all three have come through the birth well," says Mary's sister Jane Stephen to the Australian news bureau AAP... The story has filled much of Australia's news..."Australians can't get enough of this story," said Australian journalist Angela Cox to TV2 News. Also, Tasmania's premier, David Bartlett expressed happiness over the royal expansion. Mary's father, John Donaldson was in Denmark for the birth where he was looking after Isabella and Christian at Amalienborg.
B.T. Frederik stayed with Mary and the twins
B.T. Christian and Isabella met the twins and avoided the press Christian and Isabella have visited their new brother and sister for the first time. Little Prince Christian and Princess Isabella greeted their new siblings but it was without prying eyes! The Royal House chose to cheat the entire world press [huh? they are small children!] and smuggled those two little ones through Rigshospitalet's underground carpark entrance and from there directly up the elevator to the second floor, to Mary and the twins. In the afternoon daddy Frederik slipped out to Amalienborg to retrieve Christian and Isabella, to take them to Rigshospitalet and get a hug from mum and greet their new siblings for the first time. 
Berlingske Tidende When do the twins go home? It is still uncertain when Crown Prince Frederik is to leave the University Hospital with his wife and the twins. Normally, newborn twins are in hospital between between four and seven days but there are many factors which play a role. Many are eagerly awaiting news on when Crown Princess Mary leaves the hospital with the two tiny newborn twins, but when it happens can only be guessed... "It is a very individual thing when you're ready to go home, but you are probably a few days longer on average when you have twins born than a single birth. You have to have breastfeed working well, since it is two children who need food," says Marianne Skovby Rasmusson. [a midwife at another hospital] She explains that to be taken into account a variety of things - including how the mother is, whether the babies are well and whether they will eat...
Billed Bladet stories - most pages also have video clips on Billed Bladet's YouTube channel too:
Billed Bladet Frederik spent the night with Mary and twins 09 January 2011 | Jan Bergman After a long and eventful day at Rigshospitalet Crown Princess Mary could on Saturday evening go to sleep with the knowledge that her beloved husband was by her side. It is a mature father which Denmark has witnessed during these days, when Crown Prince Frederik stands as proud father and husband, and tells the world how wonderful and fantastic everything is with the twins' births. And it is not only in words, but also with actions that the Crown Prince shows his strength, maturity and quality as a loving father figure. Last night Crown Prince Frederik was at Rigshospitalet with his beloved wife and the couple's newborn twins. Crown Princess Mary has undeniably needed all the support and help she can get and her husband is there for her. With Crown Prince Frederik safely by her side, the Crown Princess spent her first night at the hospital fairly calm and rested.
Billed Bladet Caroline and Peter Heering visited in the late morning
Billed Bladet Joachim and Marie will not visit Mary in hospital because they are on a long-arranged trip overseas. Lene Balleby did not say where the prince and princess are. Billed Bladet Princess Isabella and Prince Christian have seen their new smaller siblings. 09 January 2011 | Henrik Salling For the first time since the twins' birth the Crown Prince Couple's family was gathered together on Sunday afternoon. Led by grandfather John Donaldson Princess Isabella and Prince Christian arrived at 2:20pm at Rigshospitalet to visit their two new siblings. According press chief Lene Balleby it was a good visit, and exciting to see their new little brother and little sister. Until the last there was doubt as to whether Prince Christian was healthy enough to visit his new siblings since he was suffering a cold. But today he was healthy enough to be in the vicinity of the two small ones. After a short visit they went home again to Amalienborg. After Christian's and Isabella's visits, it was Mary's lady-in-waiting Tanja Doky and her husband Chris Minh Doky who had the pleasure of visiting the Crown Prince Couple and their newborn twins.
Billed Bladet Stylist: Crown Princess Mary is out of bed 09 January 2011 | Anna Johannesen and Preben Petersen Crown Princess Mary has come along after the physically demanding twins' birth 24 hours ago. Crown Princess Mary's stylist Anja Camilla Alajdi said early Sunday afternoon that Mary is not bedridden any longer, and that the Crown Princess looks gorgeous. The stylist, who is responsible for the Crown Princess' look when she is out and about doing public tasks, was full of admiration for Mary, but she also had some words for the small twins. "The twins have Mary's colors, I think," said Anja Camilla Alajdi.
Billed Bladet see clip of today's visitors Caroline and Peter Heering, Tanja Doky with her husband Chris, Mary's stylist Anja Camilla Alajdi, friend Baron Otto Reedtz-Thott and Baroness Helle Reedtz-Thott and Frererik's long-time friend Christian Buchwald and his family.  

B.T. Anja Camilla Alajdi reports that Mary is in top form. "Mary is up already. She is doing well, she is doing really well and looks good," says Alajdi to B.T.'s reporter. She is equally impressed with the new little ones. "They are very dear, very sweet and still very small. But I think they are really adorable. They have lots of hair on their heads and have great coloring!" says Anja Alajdi who left a beautiful bouquet with the twins' mother. Mary's stylist arrived immediately after another of Frederik's really good friends had visited. "They are great, everything is wonderful," as a very happy Christian Buchwald says.

The Sydney Morning Herald SMH does an ad for ugg boots: Royal order of the booties - hail Mary, mother of four
The Adelaide Adevertiser Mary plans twins' Aussie visit
Hello! magazine 'We call him Prince Elvis' jokes Prince Frederik as he announces arrival of twins
¡Hola! Los príncipes Christian e Isabella ya conocen a sus dos nuevos hermanos - Christian and Isabella have met their new brother and sister

DR.dk clip (2:02) the reporter talks about expecting the visit of Christian and Isabella and we see Christian Buchwald, his wife Elisabeth and their children visiting Mary, Frederik and the twins. The Buchwald children have grown since they visited Christian and then Isabella!
DR.dk clip (0:42) friends visiting the hospital
B.T. The Royal House's communications director Lene Balleby arrived at the hospital at 10am on Sunday. The newborn twins and their mother, Crown Princess Mary, are thriving. Sunday morning, just over a day after they were born, the court informs that all is well in the maternity room at Rigshospitalet. "Both mother and children are doing well and everything is as it should be," says communications director Lene Balleby. Throughout Saturday one visit followed another in close succession, when Queen Margrethe, Prince Henrik and Mary's father, John Donaldson, came by to admire their two new grandchildren. Older brother Christian and sister Isabella had not greeted the twins on Saturday as Christian was unwell with a cold. The royal house did not confirm when they would visit. Parents of twins usually stay between four and seven days in the maternity ward and more days if the children are born by Caesarean section.Since Mary gave birth in the traditional manner without complications, she may be among the new mothers who choose to go home early. But as yet there has been no decision about when that will happen.

B.T. gallery visitors gallery with photos of Alexandra, Martin, Nikolai and Felix added Berlingske Tidende gallery the line of succession is the theme
Berlingske Tidende gallery day two's visitors to Mary and the twins
B.T. gallery of Mary through her twin pregnancy
B.T. gallery visitors to Rigshospitalet and then lots of family pics
Jyllands Posten gallery 8 January, after the birth
Jyllands Posten gallery Frederik and Mary and the children
Billed Bladet

7 News clip (1:42) Princess Mary's new arrivals (Angela Cox needs to check on on how to pronounce the name Christian)
9 News clip (1:33) Princess Mary gives birth to twins
9 News clip (2:43) Prince Frederik describes the birth of his twins
TV2 clip (2:03) about the Danish and the interantional media covering the twins' birth

thanks to gudinde, jema, mls, Vik, coco, kimberley and Alexmary

After the twins announcement...

Photo © Uffe Weng/B.T.

On the day the official announcement of Mary's twin pregnancy, Frederik was sailing in Marstrand in Sweden in the Dragon Gold Cup 2010 and told Ekstra Bladet that "It is a double miracle". From B.T. Frederik was reported saying it will be quite a handful having twins. He said he didn't know how it would be to be a father of four, he supposed he will find out in six months. Frederik also said he and Mary had never thought they would 'make two babies', confirming what the Danish Court spokesperson Lene Balleby had already stated to the media, that the twins were conceived naturally. Prince Henrik, also at the Dragon Cup, had happily told Billed Bladet that even triplets would also be welcome. B.T. also wanted to know if it will be the end of baby-making after January. Frederik laughed, said that was funny, didn't answer the question, but said they would take it quietly, one day at a time.



Photos © Uffe Weng/B.T.

The Monday after the announcement Mary took Christian and Isabella for their first day of the school year. They are still attending nursery school but joined their schoolmates in celebrating the first day of pre-school for their former school chums (school begins at age 7 in Denmark). Since Christian was born at the end of the year Frederik and Mary have decided to keep him with his peers, although some of the older children in his group started pre-school on the day.

Billed Bladet (No.32, 2010) Mary i skole med Christian og Isabella - Mary to school with Christian and Isabella
Week 32 is the start of the new school year for many children in Denmark. That also included those attending Dronning Louise's Børnehus (= kindergarten/nursery school) in Fredensborg, which Christian and Bella attend. The kindergarten re-opened Monday August 9th after the summer holidays and Mary drove her children there.
On the way they stopped to see the big children who were starting in school at the nearby public school. Other children and parents from the kindergarten had also shown up with flags in the school yard, including some mates of Christian and Isabella.
Christian is a big boy, almost five, and he could start in pre-school this year but Frederik and Mary have opted to wait another year. But some of his mates from kindergarten started this week. Christian was left with his mates and Mary and Isabella went over to some of her mates and from here they saw the pupils on the way to school. It's hardly a secret that Mary is pregnant and many wished her well or gave her a thumbs up. Then it was on to the kindergarten. Bella had to get used to the idea that summer holiday was over and it was time for a new year in the kindergarten. (by Ulrik Ulriksen)

Photos © Billed Bladet/Ole Bjørk 9 Aug 2010

Princess Marie hasn't escaped the festival of babies. The day after the official announcement of Mary's twin pregnancy she was asked about the matter when she christened a rose named for her at a rose festival in Bogense. Billed Bladet's Ken Richter writes the weather was great and so was the turnout when Princess Marie visited Bogense. The news about twins had just broken so Marie was naturally also asked about her plans, "I hope I'll have more children - but not right now". As for Mary's news she said, "It's so lovely and I'm really happy for them. They are really fortunate." As with Joachim, she was also told when the family was gathered at Gråsten at the end the end of the summer holidays. Marie christened the Princess Marie rose in the crowded town square. Beforehand Marie had been taken for a tour through the town, including an exhibition of christening gowns, and just in case she should have missed the point, cardboard storks had also been planted here and there.
And in case she still didn't get it, her father-in-law Prince Henrik had expressed his delight at soon becoming a grandfather of seven and added that he wouldn't mind at all if even more grandchildren came along. There is a Billed Bladet photo gallery here of Marie's visit to the rose festival in Bogense.

Princes Nikolai and Felix had their first day at school on August 9 too. According to a B.T. report Nikolai is beginning fifth grade and Felix is starting second grade at Krebs School, the alma mater of their father and Crown Prince Frederik. Their first day arrival, together with Countess Alexandra and Prince Joachim, can be seen in this gallery. The suntanned princes can be seen with Countess Alexandra and Martin Jørgensen arriving at school here.

Kristeligt Dagbladet photo gallery - a 'family album' series
TV2 clip - Frederik: "This is a miracle"
Photo gallery - pics of both Frederik and Henrik

Thanks Muhler!

Happy birthday Nikolai!

A belated happy birthday to Prince Nikolai who turned nine on August 28. Nikolai began in Grade 4 at Kreb's School two weeks ago and two days later Prince Felix began at Kreb's Pre-School. Nikolai is reported to be very active on bicycle, skateboard, tennis and so forth.


Above: Steen Brogaard birthday pics, Nikolai's smiley first day at school and the Ecco Walkathon with Countess Alexandra, Martin Jørgensen Felix, friends and Winston.

Billed Bladet 'Nikolai gav den gas på første skoledag' - Nikolai puts his foot on the accelerator for first day at school
Billed Bladet 'Prins Nikolai fylder 9 år' - Prince Nikolai turns 9
Nikolai celebrated his birthday both at school and at home.

Billed Bladet 'Nikolai flået omkuld af cockerspaniel' - Prince Nikolai had a bit of a fall, saved by step-dad Martin, when he got mixed up in Winston's leash and the friends near him on the family's traditional Ecco Walkathon over the weekend.

B.T. photo gallery - from babyhood to now

Photos © Steen Brogaard and Billed Bladet

Nikolai & Felix @ Randers Tropical Zoo

All photos Randers Tropical Zoo

Last Saturday Countess Alexandra her husband Martin Jørgensen and the princes Nikolai and Felix visited Randers Tropical Zoo where a new expansion project is planned. It is already an impressive place to visit to see replica distant habitats and experience animals and habitat in a direct and exciting way. Alexandra has been before as a patron, but this was the first time Nikolai and Felix had visited.

From Randers Amtsavis Familien Jørgensen på jungletur – The family Jørgensen on a trip to the jungle:

The animals in Randers Tropical Zoo had a very special experience Saturday evening. The lights are usually turned off but instead they were brightly lit up showing the big green ferns and palms. And long after the usual feeding time, it rained with nuts, meal worms, bits of fish and other delicacies – almost like Chrismas Eve.
It was also like Christmas Eve for the two guests of honour – the Princes Nikolai and Felix, who had a fantastic experience beneath the domes [of the rainforest buildings].
After the official tour with the press and a South American dinner, the two princes had an extra, secret expedition with two of the rainforest’s knowledgeable guides, while mummy, Countess Alexandra and her husband, Martin Jørgensen, were informed about the future projects for the rainforest.
It was two inquisitive, natural and eager princes who in were allowed to study and feed the animals up close in peace and quiet. They talked away and asked hundreds of questions, as children aged five and eight do. And they cheered, when they spotted a new animal [animals can be hard to spot in a rainforest!].
“Look, I hit the crocodile with a meal worm,” laughed Felix, but the crocodile, which is used to bigger prey, didn’t even flinch with so much as a bat of an eye.
Most of the other guests in the rainforest waited outside in the foyer for a concert with a young music idol, also called Nikolai, so there were hardly any guests, neither in Asia, South America nor Africa after 7pm. Some of the few there didn’t even notice that the two sweet boys in matching shirts, trousers and shoes were Nikolai and Felix.
It was the Panda Club under the WWF, which along with the rainforest zoo was in charge of the event and the schedule also included a third Nikolaj: the cook Nikolaj Kirk, who cooked some exotic animals and vegetables for the speacial menu.
As a well behaved prince you naturally eat up politely when you are served something – even though it’s quick roasted meal worms, crickets and larvae. The two princes glanced at mother Alexandra, who bravely tasted the delicacies too.
“It almost tastes like popcorn,” Nikolai assessed, as he dealt with the rain of camera flashes with calm and indifference.
Elegant Alexandra dressed in a simple woollen beige sleeveless dress and high heels smiled in a friendly way to everyone and allowed her enthusiasm to show, especially when seeing the huge albino snake again.
“Why, that’s Henriette,” she exclaimed enthusiastically and when the two small princes were allowed to enter the snake enclosure, it was not only the eager press but also step dad Martin Jørgensen who had to take a few snaps.
One of the funnyiest things was the heat sensitive camera, where you can “paint” yourself black in the face with an ice cube, and that made the entire family Jørgensen laugh at each other.
“What was the best part?” Countess Alexandra asked her two sons.
“The shark. And the crocodile. And the piranhas and the snakes. And…,” was the simultaneous eager response from the two princes.
They were tired but happy when they walked out to the waiting Mercedes Viano with chauffeur and darkened windows. (written by Lea Nielsen and kindly translated by Muhler)

Nikolai and Felix had the chance to experience what the rainforest animals eat. The meal worm recipe from Nikolaj Kirk, if you are ever in need of it, is heat until the worms pop and then add garlic! That's Nikolai's hand choosing the yummiest bug, which he said tasted like popcorn, and Felix really does it: he eats the meal worm!



World Wildlife Fund
WWF Denmark (English)
Randers Tropical Zoo (Randers is not far from Århus in east Jutland)
The Domes at the zoo
Randers Tropical Zoo and the WWF

TV2 Øst news clip (02:07)

Alexandra & Martin @ soundtitled movie for blind

File photo Billed Bladet



Today Alexandra, Countess of Frederiksborg, was at a showing of Thomas Winterburg's new film with added soundtitles for the visually impaired or blind, together with her husband Martin Jørgensen. Alexandra has maintained the Danish Association of the Blind as one of her patronages following her departure from the royal ranks. Thomas Vinterberg's latest movie, A Man Comes Home, has been soundtitled by the Danish Film Institute and was shown today using the soundtitle technology.

See Søren Steffen's great photo gallery of today's event

Meanwhile, Alexandra has recently established a website, Countess Alexandra of Frederiksborg, as a destination point for information about her and her activities.

And as always, Lotte Haldrup's site remains a good port of call for up-to-date news and photos about Alexandra: Unofficial website of Alexandra Countess of Frederiksborg

From Jyllands Posten/The Copenhagen Post:

Blind Go To The Movies
Blind people will have the opportunity to 'see' a movie thanks to a special technique employed by the Danish Film Institute.
Some 150 blind people have been invited to the pictures on Wednesday for the showing of Danish director Thomas Vinterberg's latest film, 'A Man Comes Home'.
While it sounds much like inviting a group of deaf people to a concert, the Danish Association of the Blind has organised this first-ever outing in co-operation with the Danish Film Institute in Copenhagen so that the group can experience the film through a new technique.
By recording a separate narrative sound track and using specially designed equipment for playback, the movie-goers can get an idea of what is happening on-screen.
Members of the audience are also given a set of headphones to wear during the film, which allows them to follow the plot and still experience the sound effects and dialogue that goes with the movie.
Michael Madsen, an association member, told Jyllands-Posten newspaper that he is looking forward to experiencing the new technique.
'Since I lost my sight in 1980, I've only been to the movies twice, and both times I ended up disturbing others because I needed them to explain what was going on,' he said. 'I have no problem creating pictures in my head, so I have great expectations in going to the movies again.'
Initial experiments from Nimbus Film studio and the Danish Film Institute have shown that producing the blind-friendly soundtrack is inexpensive and simple, and the necessary equipment is also easy to come by.
Jens Bromann, president of the Danish Association of the Blind, said he hopes the new technique will catch on at all film studios and movie theatres.
'Now we just need all Danish-produced films to be made with sound adaptation and all theatres to invest in the equipment so blind people can go to the movies anywhere in the country.' The Copenhagen Post

See our post about the premiere of the film here.

Fleming christening media wrap

This goes way back to the end of June when Marie Cavallier joined the christening party for Caroline and Rory Fleming's second child. This was the first time we had seen Marie Cavallier in public with the Crown Prince Couple. See the original post about the christening here. For Australian readers you will see just how laughable the current issue of Woman's Day is (not that we expect more from a tabloid which "loves Mary" one week and attacks the next). Early last year when Mary was out shopping in Copenhagen with Christian, Caroline Heering and Anja Camilla Adajdi before they went to a friend's place for lunch/coffee/chat (?), she was asked by a journalist what she thought about Marie. Right from the start Mary was positive and discreet and said she was extremely happy for Joachim. Royal girlfriends are a different kettle of fish to the Hollywood celebrity phenomenon - and that goes for royalty in general for that matter. We are always suspicious of that hoary old chestnut "the palace insider" who is generally a copywriter with access to the internet, given the job of writing the week's hatchet job. We don't really know anything about how the royals get on - it is their private life and we don't have access to that. Ever!

Billed Bladet(no. 25, 21 June 2007) reported: 'Mary and Marie partied together'

During Easter they were together at Marselisborg Slot in Århus and during the weekend Crown Princess Mary again met Prince Joachim’s sweetheart, Marie Cavallier. This it was at the beautiful Valdemar's Palace at Tåsinge [an island], where both couples were invited for the christening. The Crown Prince Couple arrived on Saturday morning along with their two children, while Prince Joachim and his girlfriend rolled up in front of the castle stairs in Joachim’s new Masarati just in time to get dressed for the christening at 4:30pm.

Crown Princess Mary, age 35, and Marie Cavallier, age 31, who with their dark hair and brown eyes resemble each other to some extent, had also both chosen clothes in light colours and they both smiled heartily when they arrived at the castle church. Marie with Joachim were arm in arm, while Mary arrived without Frederik because she was one of the sponsors (godparents) had to go with the other four, among them Sofie Sibley, who is a childhood friend to the mother Caroline Fleming.

When the baptism was over Frederik and Mary however did go together down the stairs to the church and right behind them went Joachim and Marie.

French Marie Cavallier has now been sweetheart to Prince Joachim for a couple of years and only had to be introduced to very few of the guests by Joachim [since she already knew many]. The host couple Caroline and Rory Fleming had long since been introduced to her, among other places they have met on skis in Switzerland, but it was actually the first time she really got to meet Joachim’s cousin, Prince Gustav of Berleburg. He also brought his girlfriend Carina Axelsson, so now it is wondered about which of the two couples will be engaged first. Will it be Joachim and Marie or Gustav and Carina? No one got an answer to that question at the weekend’s party on Tåsinge.

The Crown Prince Couple and their children spent the night at Valdemar Palace and so did Joachim and Marie, so even though Frederik and Mary went away fairly early on Sunday, Mary and Marie did have an opportunity to chat cosily at the breakfast table. When they last were together at Marselisborg, Mary was heavily pregnant, but now Marie has also seen the little new princess.

To the question at to whether she will also show up by Joachim’s side at the Christening in Fredensborg, the answer was…… a big smile.* (by Anna Johannesen and kindly translated by Muhler) * We know of course that Marie did not attend the christening of Isabella. It was always extremely unlikely if you read royal protocol like some people read tea leaves.

And another Billed Bladet (no.25, 21 June 2007) story: 'With daddy to christening'

Prince Christian was wearing a fine blue blazer...he went to the christening at Valdemar's Castle. Crown Prince Frederik carried his son when they arrived but as soon as they had entered the church Christian was placed on a chair next to his father. The one and a half year old Prince had brought his own maracas with him, a toy percussion instrument for children, so they beat the rhythm themselves, which is what Christian indeed did, when the grown ups sang “I østen stiger solen up” ('The sun rises in the east', an extremely well known hymn in Denmark).

It was Caroline and Rory Fleming’s little daughter who was christened and when her big brother three year old Alexander was allowed to come to the baptismal font during the baptism, Prince Christian followed suit. That’s why he has an idea of what will happen when his little sister will be baptised in ten days.

The preparations for the baptism of the little princess is in full swing...[information about the coming christening of Isabella follows which we already know]. (written by Anna Johannesen and translated by Muhler)

Also in an overstated B.T. article 18 June 2007: 'Now Marie is part of the family' Yes, the groundwork for this to be the case looks clear, but it is not fact yet.

It was almost official when Prince Joachim left the castle church at Valdemar's Palace holding the hand of his French sweetheart Marie. They were right behind Crown Prince Frederik and Crown Princess Mary who had little Prince Christian in her arms on the way out from the church.

They had all been to christening of their friends in common, Baroness Caroline Fleming, who owns Valdemar's Palace and who is married to multi millionaire Rory Fleming.

Marie looked so happy and she was super elegant in high heels and pink that not only matched the flower decoration of the church, but also Prince Joachim’s very pinkish tie.

That the couple came so close behind big brother Frederik also means that Marie and the Crown Princess have long since has gotten to know each other well. But Marie will however hardly have the opportunity to attend the baptism hosted by Frederik and Mary and the 1st of July in Fredensborg Slotskirke. It’s simply a question of royal etiquette. But new times, new customs. So who knows? [again, we know she didn't, and another clue it really wasn''t expected]

At least everyone enjoyed the baptism at Valdemar's Palace, where Caroline and Rory Fleming had their second child, a little daughter, who was christened Josephine Margaretha Victoria Fleming. Crown Princess Mary was one of the child’s seven sponsors (godparent).

Prince Joachim’s ex-wife, ex-princess Alexandra, now Countess of Frederiksborg was there too along with her husband Martin Jørgensen. They too arrived hand in hand and looked so happy. But Joachim and Alexandra’s sons were not present.

Caroline’s little daughter's behaviour was exemplary too, “She was really good,” said the proud mother, who carried her daughter, born at Christmas, herself.

Josephine’s second name, Margaretha, is after Caroline’s mother who died when Caroline was very young.

Crown Prince Frederik and Crown Princess Mary were among the first guests to arrive at the castle. Prince Joachim and Marie arrived somewhat later driven by Joachim, who sat behind the wheel in his Masarati. Both were casually dressed ...When they walked up the stairs they waved.

“Joachim has become more colourful (in the way he dresses) after he met Marie. His hair is much fresher (less conservative) and he seems super happy,” was one of the remarks from a bystander. (written by Bodil Cath and, yes, you guessed it! translated by Muhler)

Photos first 3) from Se og Hør: Rory Fleming and Prince Gustav of Berleberg, Caroline, Mary and Christian, Caroline Fleming and Josephine and Prince Joachim and Marie Cavallier arriving:




Many familliar faces among the guests, including the Heerings, the Reedtz-Thott's, the Ahlefeldt-Laurvig's: