Anniversary of Margrethe II's ascension to the throne

As well as today's other Royal Danish news with the twins, today is the 39th anniversary since Queen Margrethe ascended the throne, following the death of her beloved father Frederik IX.

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.

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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 :))

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

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)

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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 :))

Queen Margrethe's New Year's speech 2010

Photo © Keld Navntoft/Berlingske Tidende

Queen Margrethe delivered her New Year's speech in her inimitable style this year, warning it is important for Danes to emerge from the economic crisis with dignity and good social values intact. The Queen expressed an eloquent idea by saying "We have achieved a freedom to shape our own life which previous generations have never experienced, but we should also remember that no one can fend for themselves alone. Therefore, we must also take care that the society which we know as a safe environment for personal development is also where we keep our eyes and ears and hearts open to our fellow man."

In looking over the past year the Queen spoke warmly of the good wishes she received for her 70th birthday. She said although Danes may have things to be happy about individually, it has nevertheless been a year marked by the global economic crisis, which has also affected Denmark. While the consequences have been serious and difficult, Denmark is one of the countries which has suffered least, said the Queen, because of it's historical wealth and strong sense of community. She said community is even more important in difficult times and asks whether Danes have become more selfish and mistrustful of each other as a result of the crisis. She warned that while the crisis can be measured in economic terms, the real danger is in the assault on the community and its values. The Queen emphasised that while the modern state has taken over many tasks which were once those of small village communities long ago, it doesn't mean deserting individual and community responsibilities in the present. The Queen expressed her usual greetings to the Faroe Islands, Greenland and Danes living and working abroad, and spoke about the high price of the Danish effort in Afghanistan and the soldiers who have returned home badly hurt or psychologically damaged by their experiences. She had met some soldiers at University Hospital in Copenhagen during their rehabilitation and was impressed with their optimism and spirit to overcome their handicaps, which left her with enormous admiration for them.

The Queen also mentioned that for her family and herself, 2010 was a good year with many pleasures. She said that now they look forward to the new year with great anticipation, not least for the growing family which is expected in January and says it warms and sustains them all to feel the warm interest which meets the Royal Family from all sides wherever they go.

Kongehuset.dk - the speech in Danish at the royal website

The Queen's New Year speech on DR.dk (10:17)

Read a machine translation here.

The Copenhagen Post - Queen warns against crisis of values

B.T. - B.T. takes the angle of examining the tupilaks on the Queen's desk and provides a small photo gallery of said tupilaks over the years.

DR's annual royal review TV programs

Photo © Hello! Frederik, Mary, Christian and Isabella attend the Queen's handiwork as scenographer and costume designer for a children's ballet, December 14, 2010.

DR broadcast its annual royal review for 2010 on December 27 and December 28. The first part chronicles the year for Queen Margrethe and Prince Henrik. The second part covers Crown Prince Frederik, Crown Princess Mary, Christian and Isabella and Prince Joachim and Princess Marie.

DR.dk Kongehuset 2010 - part 1 (28:09)

DR.dk Kongehuset 2010 - part 2 (28:09)

Photo © Benjamin Kürstein/EB, royal gathering last April for Queen Margrethe's 70th birthday

Happy New Year for MMXI!!

Photo © Reuters

Let's crank this blog up again. Things are happening. As I write the Sydney fireworks are 'going off' (the place where this 'connection' began) and in four hours Queen Margrethe will give her traditional New Year's speech to the nation. There is other stuff happening too!

See the Queen's speech live here - it will be broadcast at 6.00pm | 18.00 in Denmark. See the World Clock here to calculate the time.

From DR.dk - 'DR giver udlandet adgang til Dronningens nytårstale'

Normally Danish expatriates and others overseas cannot access DR TV directly via the net (as is the case for most countries). Since DR sees considerable interest in the Queen's New Year speech, an exception is being made so all IP addresses can watch the direct transmission from Amalienborg. The speech will also be available afterward.

DR broadcast the first New Year's speech by the Regent in 1941, firstly on the radio and then from 1958 also on television.

DR's website has old New Year's speeches archived (on DR.dk/Bonanza with the search word 'nytårstale'). For the historically interested it is possible to hear King Frederik IX's talks from 1948 to 1958, and King Christian X's speeches from the first ever transmitted New Year speech from 1941.

Meanwhile, happy New Year to readers. I'll be back :)

Danish Royals @ 350th anniversary of Danish Life Guards

Photo: The Queen, Prince Henrik, Crown Prince Frederik, Crown Princess Mary, Prince Joachim and Princess Marie arrive for the June 30 parade at the Rosenborg drill grounds. © Forsvarets Mediabank

Overdue for a catch up! At the end of last month the Royal Danish Life Guards had an extended celebration of its 350th anniversary. The Royal Danish Life Guards have looked after the Danish regents since 1658. The Guards' motto is Per Rege a Grege - For King(Queen) and People. For the past 200 years the Guards' barracks have been next to the Rosenborg Eksercerplads (drill grounds) near Rosenborg Castle, the home of the royal historical collection. The tattoo was introduced to Denmark in 1955 at the Rosenborg drill grounds with the pipes and drums of Danish and Scottish guards. There have been activities since May, beginning with a special exhibition at Rosenborg Castle about the Royal Guards and their history and events will continue until October.

The June tattoo of unique military drills with nearly 1,000 participants was from June 26-28 with guests including His Majesty's Royal Guard from Norway, Switzerland's Top Secret Drum Corps, Arméns Music Corps from Sweden and the Irish Guards and the Queen's Scots Guards. The Russian Presidential Guard payed a return visit after the Danish Royal Life Guards' visit to a tattoo in Red Square in Moscow last autumn, attended by Prince Joachim at the time. Lasse Harkjær, chief of the Royal Danish Life Guards, said it was a scoop to get the Russians, who participated outside Russia for the first time. He said they tried to get the American President's Music Corp, but found they never travel outside the U.S. Lasse Harkjær also said that after growing up in the Cold War atmosphere in Europe, it had been a privilege to arrange the Danish Guards to be in Moscow and now the return visit represents a new stage of friendship. At the end of the June celebrations there were church services, a march of Royal Life Guards through Copenhagen, a jubilee concert led by the Life Guard's Music Corps and Drum Corps with various soloists, and finally, a gala dinner and dance.

On June 26 Prince Joachim attended the Rosenborg Military Tattoo, Crown Prince Frederik and Crown Princess Mary attended on June 27 and then on June 28 the Regent Couple, Princess Benedikte and Prince Richard attended. On June 29 the Anniversary Concert was held in the Tivoli Concert Hall with the Royal Danish Life Guards' Military Band, the Royal Danish Life Guards' Drum Corps and well-known soloists. Queen Margrethe, the Prince Consort, Crown Prince Frederik, Crown Princess Mary, Prince Joachim, Princess Marie and Princess Benedikte attended. The early morning June 30 march through Copenhagen and parade on the Rosenborg drill grounds was before Queen Margrethe, the Prince Consort, Crown Prince Frederik, Crown Princess Mary, Prince Joachim, Princess Marie, Princess Benedikte and Prince Richard. The gala dinner was also on June 30, the Queen and the Royal Family were present along with past members of the Royal Danish Life Guards.



During the June 30 parade and drill, Crown Princess Mary and Princess Marie chatted intently before the parade began, while Crown Prince Frederik chatted with the Queen. The royals later mingled and spoke with the families of guards members. Joachim and Marie walked together, but happy as the newlyweds look, it was afterall Mary and Frederik who were at the centre of attention. They smiled and chatted with everybody and had their photos taken by countless mobiles. The Queen gave a speech with special mention for the members of the regiment currently serving in Afghanistan (the company there suffered considerable casulties earlier this year). And in a special presentation of the Queen's Watch, Queen Margrethe presented a watch to the guardsman who was elected the best comrade in the guards battalion on duty now. The guards battalions rotate every three or four months and each battalion elects the best comrade among them who receives the award of a watch by the Queen. Photos show the royals wearing a commemoration medal to mark the 350th anniversary of the Royal Danish Life Guards.



And from Billed Bladet (no. 27, July 4, 2008) 'Mary hjalp Marie' – Mary helped Marie

There was close contact and happy smiles when Crown Princess Mary and Princess Marie and their husbands were guests of honour at the Life Guards' 350th anniversary. It is obvious that Mary was taking very good care of Marie and tried to help her. Several times during the celebrations Mary explained to Marie what was going on and who the various dignitaries were.
It was the first time Princess Marie sat in a stand with the other royals and a hint of nervousness could indeed be detected in her. She naturally tried to follow what was going on as best she could, but it was a very unusual situation for Marie.
So it was comforting for her to sit next to Mary... Crown Prince Frederik and Prince Joachim may not be thinking about how unusual the situation is for the latest member of the DRF. But Mary very well recollects her early times in Denmark, so she was there for Marie. There was chatting and laughing and Princess Marie got the best start on one of the solemn events that will soon be everyday events for her.
During a break in the tightly packed schedule, the royals walked around in Kongens Have (the King’s Garden) among the thousands of new and old guardsmen who had shown up for the anniversary. Joachim and Marie preferred to go by themselves a little out of the way from the worst crowding, while Crown Prince Frederik was really in his element, and together with Mary he chatted with everyone he met. Frederik wanted to hear about the duties of the guards company*, he talked with both current and ex guardsmen and he met several of his own friends.
However he and Mary spend the most time with Svend Aage Thorsen [a guardsman from 1933] who regretted that he couldn’t get up from his wheelchair, but the legs couldn’t manage it.
“That doesn’t matter at all, it’s grand that you are here today,” said Frederik when he heard that the old guardsman will turn 96 next month. “It’s lovely to meet with such a joy and optimism,” said Mary, while Frederik lifted a friendly admonishing finger and said: “Now, remember to drink plenty of water, it’s important in this heat.” [it was 29° that day] When Mary learned that Svend Aage Thorsen is from Rudkøbing, she said: “That’s a lovely town, we were there two weeks ago.”
It was a big moment for Svend Aage Thorsen to meet the Crown Prince Couple. He also managed to shake the hand of Queen Margrethe and tell her that he had been on guard duty at Sorgenfri Palace for her grandfather King Christian X, who used the mansion as a summer residence. (written by Annelise Weimann and kindly translated by Muhler)

Note from Muhler:
* A guards company is a part of the guard’s battalion. A platoon or squad/group from the guards company is selected for guard duty at Amalienborg and at the residence of the Regent and the Crown Prince Couple. At any moment that is twelve guards guarding Amalienborg, 24 privates guarding Marselisborg, a detachment guarding Fredensborg and plus their officers and NCOs. They are on duty for 24 hours at a time and each sentry is on duty for two hours at a time. In practice up to half a company is on duty at the various residences at any time.

The Anniversary Concert at Tivoli:



The June 30 gala dinner and dance, where they are dancing Les Lanciers, a form of quadrille specific to Denmark:



Photos © Forsvarets Mediabank, B.T., TV2/Scanpix, Billed Bladet, Hello!/Getty, Liselotte Sabroe/Berlingske Tidende, ¡Hola!, Stella Pictures/SeHer.no

B.T. 'Mary og Marie ved at blive perleveninder' - Mary and Marie becoming very good friends (by Bodil Cath)
Crown Princess Mary and Princess Marie look like they are becoming very good friends. This is at least judging from the body language they displayed towards each other on the big day of the Life Guards at Rosenborg drill grounds.
Mary and Marie sat next to each other in the royal pavillion where all the royals watched a parade with new and old soldiers from the Life Guards.
During the first ten minutes before the parade started Mary and Marie almost exclusively chatted with each other. They must have had a lot to talk about since both gesticulated with their hands and they were so deeply preoccupied with each other, that the Crown Prince, who sat on the right of Mary, started to chat with his mother. There was a small aisle between the Crown Prince and the Queen, who sat on the other side with the Prince Consort on her right. Prince Joachim sat to the left of his wife. That's why the princesses could really have a chat. And that they had.
Hello! magazine 'An assured Princess Marie settles into royal role at army concert'
¡Hola! 'Mary y Marie de Dinamarca, cuñadas y buenas amigas, en su primera cita oficial juntas'

TV2 news clip
DR.dk Net TV
YouTube sample Top Secret Drum Corps at the Edinburgh Tattoo
YouTube Top Secret Drum Corps rehearsing at Rosenborg
Rosenborg Tattoo on YouTube 1
TV2/Lorry feature video clip (04:48) a look inside the life of a Royal Life Guardsman
TV2 news clip
TV2 news clip
DR.dk netTV (01:21) about the 8,000 who marched in Copenhagen
TV2 news clip

Galleries:
Royal Danish Life Guards photo gallery click on upper right icon above each photo to see individual pics
Military Tattoo gallery click on 'frem', it is a small gallery of performers
Søren Steffen Mary and Frederik at the tattoo June 28
TV2 gallery
B.T. gallery 29 June
TV2 gallery
MSN.dk Starlounge
Søren Steffen June 30
Berlingske Tidende gallery
Søren Steffen June 30 evening
MSN.dk Starlounge

Many thanks to Muhler, FrederikIX, gudinde, valentine, jema, cph and mitchell