Frederik & Mary @ Belgium's Prince Philippe's 50th

Over the weekend (23-24 April, 2010) Prince Philippe of Belgium (Duke of Brabant) and his wife Princess Mathilde (godmother to Isabella) have been celebrating his 50th birthday with numerous royal guests including Crown Prince Frederik, Crown Princess Mary, Crown Princess Victoria of Sweden and her fiancé Daniel Westling, the Oranges, Prince Willem-Alexander and Princess Máxima of the Netherlands, the Prince and Princess of Asturias of Spain, Felipe and Letizia, Infanta Cristina, the Grand Ducal couple of Luxembourg, Henri and Maria Teresa and many other royals from the Netherlands, Portugal, Europe generally and some Jordanian royals (not sure from news yet available). No photos yet. I have taken some pretty poor quality screencaps from the news clip from HLN.be - best I can give you at the moment. The royals and guests boarded a bus to transport them to an evening gala in the Royal Greenhouse at Laeken Castle on Friday, with a visit to the Magritte Museum during the day. Princess Máxima went shopping at Natan. On Saturday there was a brunch at the Plaza Hotel in Brussels.



Screencaps © HLN.de

HLN.de - clip (01:28)

Nieuwsblad.be 'Prins Filip viert verjaardag met collega-prinsen'

More photos when/if they become available and lots still to catch up on for the Queen's 70th (and then some!)

Two pieces of news... succession & an engagement

Some news on two fronts. Politiken reports that the Folketing voted yesterday in favour of the proposed change in the succession law to give equal rights for firstborn female children of future Danish monarchs to succeed to the throne. Eleven parties voted in favour, while only the left-wing Unity List party voted against the new law. There will be a referendum on June 7th this year at the same time as the elections for the European Parliament. As there is some apathy about voting in European Parliament elections, the required majority in the referedum will be a challenge, despite 88% of Danes being in favour of the change. Forty percent of voters must vote 'yes' in the referdum for it to pass. The proposal has already been accepted once in the last Danish Parliament, but because it has the character of a constitutional amendment, it is also required to be passed by a second parliament before being put to the people in a referendum. The first time the proposal was presented was when Crown Princess Mary became pregnant the first time. The government at the time wanted to make sure that the child, girl or boy, became a heir to the throne. That became redundant since Frederik's and Mary's first born is a son, but the proposed law will affect the children of Christian eventually.
Politiken 'Danish referendum on royal succession' - from the English language section
Crown Princess Victoria of Sweden was officially engaged yesterday after King Carl XVI Gustaf approved the marriage and informed the Swedish Prime Minister Fredrik Reinfeldt and the government, as required under the Swedish Constitution. The very popular Victoria will marry Daniel Westling, her boyfriend of seven years, in early summer next year. Upon the marriage Daniel will become Prince Daniel, Prince of Sweden and the Duke of Västergötland. The connection between the Swedish and Danish royal families is through Queen Ingrid, who is Victoria's great-aunt. "With Daniel by my side I feel safe. You have surely seen that in recent years I have grown stronger and happier, and now we can begin preparations to start our own lives and start a family," Victoria said in the video statement posted by Drottningholm Palace in Stockholm. During the internet announcement Daniel said his most important task was to "support the Crown Princess in her important duties for Sweden ... In time, I hope that I too can help serve Sweden in various ways." Victoria, 31, is first in line to succeed her father, King Carl XVI Gustaf, to the Swedish throne. Wedding rumors have mounted since July last year, when Westling moved to the royal family's residence outside Stockholm. Daniel Westling is a 35-year-old owner of a chain of gyms and apparently will give up his business to devote himself fulltime to his royal duties.

In the video, the King said: "Dear Swedes, at home and abroad. Yes, this is how I tend to begin my speeches on radio and TV when there is something I wish to convey. And, as you may have guessed, there is something very special I would like to convey: namely, the public announcement today of the engagement of Crown Princess Victoria and Mr Daniel Westling," said the King, while exchanging glances with his smiling daughter.
The King then went on to speak about the qualities of his future son-in-law.
"In the past years we have of course got to know Daniel and have understood that he is a young man who works hard and takes life seriously.
"That is why it is especially gratifying to extend you a welcome. It was with pleasure that I gave my consent and, in line with the constitution, accepted the consent of the government.
"It is of course a special day for us but it is also a special day for Sweden," said the King.
Crown Princes Victoria said in the film that she was proud to represent Sweden but that it was easier with help from her fiancé.
"With Daniel by my side I feel secure. You have probaby noticed in recent years that I have seemed stronger and happier. And now the time has come to begin preparations for starting something of our own and creating a family," sad Victoria, while looking at at her future husband.
Queen Silvia was full of praise for Westling.
"We welcome Daniel into our family with open arms. I view him as a man who is humble yet decisive, as well as judicious and wise. You are full of energy, considerate and will make a wonderful husband for Victoria."
The Queen then turned to her daughter.
"We have full confidence in you and your choice, Victoria, and I will do everything to support you. A new chapter is now being written and I am very pleased," she said.
Daniel Westling, appeared moved by the occasion, and looked straight into the camera and said:
"The Crown Princess and I have found each other and our love has grown strong over the years. I want to thank the King and I want to thank the Queen," said the future Prince.
"It is my task to act as a support for the Crown Princess and the important work she does for Sweden."

Frederik, Mary, Christian and Isabella are reported to have gone to Sweden to ski a couple of weeks ago, but it is not known whether they visited their royal relatives. Victoria is a godparent to Christian (and many more royal infants of Europe!) and has said Frederik and Haakon (Crown Prince of Norway) are like her brothers. Apparently the three are regular texters. Victoria has had some difficult years in which she struggled with anorexia and she has a face recognition disorder. She is reportedly close to Queen Margrethe, whom she considers to be a mentor. Victoria is known to be very diligent, gracious and popular, both in Sweden and among those she encounters in her official capacities for Sweden. It is therefore very natural that many in Scandinavian countries and elsewhere are happy for her and wish her well in her future with Daniel Westling, as does this blog!



Photos © Royal Court/Scanpix, Bunte/AP, Svensk Damtidning, All Over

Swedish Royal Court
Sweden - from the Online Gotha

The Local - a profile of Crown Princess Victoria in a Swedish English language paper
The Local 'Wedding will 'boost Sweden's monarchy'
The Local 'Papers give royal engagement a lukewarm reception'
The Local article links - for some context on Victoria's and Daniel's relationship in recent times

Times Online.uk 'Sweden's Princess Victoria to marry fitness trainer Daniel Westling'
The Telegraph.uk 'Swedish princess announces engagement online'
The Age, Melbourne 'Sweden's Princess Victoria to wed former personal trainer'
News.com.au 'Princess to marry gym owner'
NRK.no (Norwegian) - '- Jeg er gjennomlykkelig'
... and many other similar reports online in newspapers, magazines and blogs including China's Xinhua newsagency, The Boston Globe, Times of India, Glam.com, Huffington Post.com, and so on

Svensk Damtidning gallery
Bunte.de gallery

Statement by the King, the Queen, Crown Princess Victoria and Daniel Westling (05:29) - YouTube in Swedish
Press conference (09:53) - YouTube in Swedish

Frederik, Victoria & Haakon to Svalbard archipelago in Norway for International Polar Year

As soon as he returned from the summer tour of southern Denmark, Crown Prince Frederik set off to join Crown Princess Victoria of Sweden and Crown Prince Haakon Norway in Longyearbyen, Norway before setting off for the Svalbard archipelago in Norway. They joined the Swedish icebreaker Oden at the beginning of their six day polar research trip on June 21, 2008 to sail to Svalbard in Norway and the ocean and area around the archipilago. During the trip the Scaninavian royal successors ('thronefollowers' in Danish) will be shown research techniques and test equipment used in polar experiments on clouds in the Arctic environment. All three are patrons of the International Polar Year 2007-2008 in their own countries. The media will not be onboard the Oden, so the next time we see them will be in Ny-Ålesund on Thurdsay.

"We are going to be cramped, but it will be all right," Crown Princess Victoria said as she boarded the ship, according to Svalbardposten.
"Are you going to have a party?" one of the journalists asked.
"When we are together it is always a party," Victoria said, who was the one who originally suggested the trip.
Even late in the evening the midnight sun shines very strongly.
"I am very happy to be able to show off a small part of Norway on a day like this," Crown Prince Haakon said.




Photos © Rakkestad Avis.no/Ole Åsheim/Nordlys/ANB, Karine Nigar Aarskog/International Polar Year website, Birger Amundsen/Svalbardposten, Hello!/Getty

International Polar Year news (in Norwegian)
Rakkestad Avis.no Kronprinsmøte (in Norwegian)
Nordlys.no 'Kongelig Svalbard-turné' (in Norwegian)
Aftenposten.no 'Kronprinsessen og det kalde kongeriket' (in Norwegian)
Berlingske Tidende 'Tronfølgere tjekker Svalbards skyer' - Successors check Svalbard's clouds
Crown Prince Frederik and the other Scandinavian successors are in Svalbard in connection with the International Polar Year.
Crown Prince Haakon, Crown Princess Victoria and Crown Prince Frederik arrived in Svalbard today (last Saturday) in connection with International Polar Year.
The three heirs to the Scandinavian thrones, who are patrons for the Polar Year in their respective countries will be in the area until Friday.
They are to be on an icebreaker for five days where tested equipment will be tested for a longer expedition later this summer.
"They leave today from Longyearbyen and sail up as close to the polar ice as they can get," the Palace in Oslo said to the Swedish news agency TT.
The purpose of the summer expedition called Arctic Summer Cloud Ocean Summit is to examine the clouds and their meaning for the arctic climate.
Sweden's Crown Princess and Crown Prince Frederik got the idea a couple of years ago after the Swedish king's environmental initiative, the Royal Colloqium, had taken place in Greenland.
The heirs to the thrones will go on the icebreaker to Ny Ålesund on Thursday after which they'll go inland.
TV2 article 'Kronprinsen besøger isbryder' (in Danish)
B.T. 'De kongelige nyder at se på isbjørne i midnatssolen' (in Danish)
The Local.se
Royals join forces on Arctic expedition
22 Jun 08
The heirs to the thrones of Sweden, Denmark and Norway have embarked on an expedition to Svalbard in the Arctic.
Crown Princess Victoria of Sweden, Crown Prince Haakon of Norway and Crown Prince Fredrik of Denmark will spend five days on an ice-breaker in Svalbard, a group of islands located in the Arctic off the coast of Norway.
The trio of royals will help to test equipment in preparation for a longer expedition in the summer.
Victoria, Haakon and Fredrik left the relatively mild Midsummer weather, donning winter clothes for their adventure which began in the Norwegian town of Longyearbyen on Saturday.
"They are leaving the four degree temperatures of Longyearbyen to travel as far up the ice as possible," said Sven Gjeruldsen of the Norwegian court to news agency TT.
The heirs and heiress will travel on the ice-braker IB Oden in the Arctic Sea to test newly installed equipment in preparation for the Arctic Summer Cloud Ocean Summit (ASCOS). The expedition aims to contribute to research about the clouds and their role in the Arctic climate system.
The expedition is part of the polar year, of which the three royals are patrons in their respective countries.
TV2 article 'Kongelig 'fætter og kusine-fest' højt mod nord' (in Danish)

Svalbard weather - as I write it is 1°C
Svalbard image links

Rakkestad Avis.no photo gallery

DR.dk NetTV (00:58)
TV2 news clip
TV2 Nyhetene.no clip (00:58)

Thanks pogo99, cph, gudinde and Valentine!

Frederik's 40th party at the Orangery

The final celebration of Crown Prince Frederik's 40th took place on Saturday night and well into Sunday. It was Crown Princess Mary who organised the party for 140 guests in the Orangery at Fredensborg Palace. The guests were entertained by jazz music during the evening and Frederik preferred that there were no speeches. But a later report is that there were speeches in Danish anyway. But there were lots of entertainments in the form of songs from friends and also from Mary. One of them was written by Jarl Friis-Mikkelsen, and was sung with great enthusiasm by five friends and performed in the style of a boy band. Frederik joined in on the harmonica. Late in the evening the party moved from the Orangery to the garden behind Chancellery House in a marquee and with a band. Drinks were served with ice cubes of Greenlandic inland ice, which the Royal House had bought in Copenhagen earlier in the week at the Greenlandic specialist store Butik Kamik. At 5:00am on Sunday morning the last guests slipped away from the party. According to this article, Mary wrote and sang a song for her husband at the party with the help of a well-known Danish composer and friend of the DRF, Bent Fabricius-Bjerre (see report below).

There is media speculation that the attendance of Daniel Westling with Crown Princess Victoria is a signal that another royal wedding is imminent. Daniel and Victoria have been to a number of private royal events together, including the 60th birthday of King Carl Gustav (Sweden).

According to Amber Petty, who works on a breakfast radio show in Adelaide, she gave Frederik some South Austalian wines as a gift the night before the party. The dress she wore was by a local designer. It is a "cherry-red georgette, strapless cocktail length dress with a beaded bodice and soft waterfall cut skirt". Amber is staying at Chancellory House with the Crown Prince Family and will remain holidaying for another two and a half weeks.

Mary and Frederik, John and Susan Donaldson, Princess Alexandra S-W-B and Count Jefferson, Carina Axelsson and Prince Gustav, Tatiana Blatnik and Prince Nikolaos, Mette-Marit and Haakon, Daniel Westling and Victoria, Amber Petty, the Orangery on Saturday evening:




Preben Kristensen and Søren Hedegaard, Søren Hedegaard, Anja Camilla Aladji and partner, Hella Joof and Ellen Hillingsø, Peter Warnøe and Julie Tholstrup, Rikke Juul and Julie Mølsgaard, Jean and Ditlev Ahlefeldt-Laurvig, Helle Reedtz-Thott and Otto Reedtz-Thott, Rose Gad Foss and Holger Foss, Tanja Kjærsgaard Doky and Chris Minh Doky, Caroline and Peter Heering:




MSN Starlounge 'Alt om fødselsdagen: Jarl og Mary sang for Frederik' - Everything about the birthday: Jarl and Mary sang for Frederik
Crown Princess Mary secretly prepared her own completely personal present for Crown Prince Frederik - a song! According to MSN Starlounge's information she had allied herself with Bent Fabricius-Bjerre and written a song for her man.
During the evening she sang it for him to one of Bent's old tunes.
Several of the visitors told MSN Starlounge that it was the evening's absolute climax, and that Frederik - that many other visitors - shed a tear hearing Mary's song.
"It was so romantic," a visitor said.
Frederik's 40th birthday was full of experiences.
After a beautiful menu in the Orangery the visitors moved late in the evening to Kancellihuset...
Here entertainment began with Jarl Friis-Mikkelsen, who also sang for Frederik.
Then Anne Linnet sang some classics...
Frederik's good friend Lars H.U.G. played some songs...
About midnight Alex Nyborg Madsen's band Led Zeppelin Jam got going.
Later a DJ took over and played all Frederik's favourite songs including from the Red Hot Chili Peppers and Guns N' Roses.
"It was incredibly cosy, and the guests looked as if they realy had fun," Alex said when he left Fredensborg Slot...The last guest left Kancellihuset at 5am.

Billed Bladet 'Mary strålede til Frederiks fest' - Mary shone at Frederik's Party
¡Hola!

Billed Bladet photo gallery
B.T. photo gallery
Søren Steffen

Added: Her&Νu video clip (reporter Karen Balselv and camera Kasper Wenstrup)

(thanks gudinde, sissi and jema!)