King Frederik & Queen Mary's Summer Tour aboard the Dannebrog: 2024 -

** Queen Margrethe's Summer Tour aboard the Dannebrog: 2015 - 2023​

The Palace has released some updates on the upcoming summer tour today, May 1:

When Their Majesties the King and Queen officially board the Royal Ship Dannebrog on 2 May 2024, it will also mark the beginning of a new sailing season and the Royal Couple's continuation of the tradition of annual summer cruises.Since the time of Christian IX, the Royal Ship has been used in the summer for cruises to various Danish cities, and with the Royal Ship Dannebrog as their residence, the royal family has visited large parts of the Kingdom over the years. The tradition has since been continued by Christian 10th, Frederik 9th, Her Majesty Queen Margrethe and now also the Royal Couple.This year, Their Majesties will carry out a late summer cruise with the royal ship Dannebrog on the 19th-22nd. August. The procession begins on 19 August in Bornholm's Regional Municipality, after which the royal couple will visit Ærø Municipality on 20 August and Assens Municipality on 21 August. This year's summer tour ends with a visit to Vejle Municipality on 22 August.More details about the program points of the summer tour will be published later.

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We are in for a visual treat! These are very scenic places in DK. The island of Ærø in particular. But the Island of Bornholm is also scenic even on rainy days. And the fjord at the town of Vejle is beautiful. In fact there used to be a sanatorium for people with bad nerves there, because the setting is so tranquil. The sanatorium had the most spoiled parrot in DK, the patients loved it and it got loads of attention! A good life for an intelligent social bird. It was at the time probably also one of the most accomplished therapists in DK, as the patients confided all sorts of things to the bird and it helped making them open up.
Even though parrots live long I doubt it's still alive now some 50 years later.

Very glad the tradition continues with the Dannebrog

Some nice old scenes with the Dannebrog have been shared prior today's official season start:

A special royal tradition is being continued today by the King and Queen when Their Majesties officially board the Royal Ship Dannebrog at 12.00 to start the year's sailing season.The annual cruises with the Royal Ship are an extension of a now long tradition, which dates back to the reign of Christian X and Queen Alexandrine. As the first royal couple, they made annual cruises in Danish waters a regular part of the summer programme. The tradition was continued by Frederik IX and Queen Ingrid and later by Her Majesty Queen Margrethe and Prince Henrik, who all emphasized using the ship in all parts of the kingdom - both in Denmark, the Faroe Islands and Greenland ️In the coming months, the King and Queen will visit Sweden, Norway, the Faroe Islands and Greenland with the Royal Ship Dannebrog.In August, the royal couple goes on a summer tour to Bornholm's Regional Municipality, Ærø Municipality, Assens Municipality and Vejle Municipality.

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And at noon King Frederik and Queen Mary officially boarded the Royal Ship Dannebrog:


** tt.se gallery ** anp gallery ** ppe gallery **


** gettyimages: DNK: Danish Royal Couple Board The Royal Ship Dannebrog **








And in the afternoon they arrived in Helsingør:



And an extra gallery from Fredensborg Castle:


** gettyimages: Danish Royal Couple Welcomed At Fredensborg Castle **

I am so looking forward to this summer's cruise.

I guess they were driven to the quay. I noticed they deviated slightly from the naval protocol. The highest ranking (King Frederik) always enter the boat as the last one, but always leave the boat as the first one.

Also, upon arriving in the town of Helsingør (Which is perhaps better known in English as Elsinore, but that's too far away from spoken Danish for me to use it) they went over to chat with some of the onlookers. At that moment a woman became unwell and King Frederik offered her a bottle of water. (We'll probably get photos from that.)

The Regent Couple will take up residence in Kancellihus, which is located on the outskirts of the palace complex. But as they have become King and Queen since last summer, the security has been tightened. Normally there used to be a sentry outside Kancellihuset, but now there is a security perimeter around the house, when FX&QM are in residence, which means the public can no longer get as close as they used to. Beforehand there was basically only a high wooden fence between a public path and the garden to Kancellihuset.

They were lucky with the weather today. A very balmy 18 degrees C today with a nice refreshing wind. That's just what the doctor ordered because the trees here in DK have gone totally crazy over the past couple of days! The trees simply exploded! Every single bud sprang a fully fledged leave yesterday between 11.25 and 12.13. So spring is finally here.
What a great start for the sailing season.

Muhler said:

Also, upon arriving in the town of Helsingør (Which is perhaps better known in English as Elsingore, but that's too far away from spoken Danish for me to use it)

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Lovers of Shakespeare will note that Elsinore is the name of the castle in Hamlet. The first time I read it, I didn't know it was based on the name of a reason place in Denmark. Very cool.

Muhler said:

they went over to chat with some of the onlookers. At that moment a woman became unwell and King Frederik offered her a bottle of water. (We'll probably get photos from that.)

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Fred on the spot! Hopefully, it wasn't anything serious and she was just overwrought from being that close to the king in naval uniform.

That's very possible. I suspect some members of the TRF would swoon in that situation...

Elsinore it is. That's even further away from spoken Danish as you can surmise.
I shall correct my post accordingly.

ADDED: As a learned and well-informed man, the good Shakespeare would no doubt have heard about the fancy and ultra modern fortress in Denmark, and it's sister fortress Helsingborg on the other side of the sound, which back then was still Danish land.
And to the English watching Hamlet, the fortress would have been both something they knew about but at the same time a bit exotic.
However, had Shakespeare ever visited Denmark he would without a seconds hesitation have relocated the whole play of Hamlet to Copenhagen Castle. It had a well-deserved reputation for being one of the most spooky castles in all of Europe! It was well-known because the DRF resided there.
Had Bram Stoker seen it, he would have decided that Dracula would have felt right at home in Copenhagen Castle. I'm serious. It was a castle that had been added to over the centuries until it became a mix of all kinds of styles around a courtyard. The inside was drafty labyrinth of corridors and interconnecting rooms and suddenly there would be walled off doorways. Creaking floorboards everywhere and it was also rat-infested.
Unfortunately it was torn down, otherwise it would today be the Mecca for Goths.

It looks almost cozy in these pictures of a model of the castle. It wasn't!

"Today at noon, Their Majesties The King and Queen officially boarded the Royal Ship Dannebrog and thus began the first sailing season as a royal couple️
The cannons on Batteriet Sixtus fired 27 shots as the Royal Ship passed, after which the 92-year-old royal ship continued to Helsingør to receive a salute from the cannons at Kronborg Castle.
The traditional boarding marked the beginning of this year's sailing season, which brings the King and Queen on a commonwealth cruise and summer cruise, among other things."

There is just so many articles to go through! such a joyous day, everyone looks great.
Love these photos with the crowd

another gallery and Frederik and Mary helping the woman in need

the Royal Dannebrog on the blue water is such a sight to see.

Frederik and Mary have given an interview on board the Dannebrog

Frederik
"- It is a great pleasure to board the Dannebrog. We have embarked on our calling and our work, which symbolically happens with this action on the royal ship. It is very special, he tells TV 2 and adds:
- It gives a feeling that now it is me who has steered in more than one sense, and it feels safe and secure."
Mary
"- We have not set a fixed route, but a good direction. We are going to continue the tracks we have laid. Our interest in nature and communities and business. We also want to be a royal couple who are visible and present throughout Denmark."

more from throughout the day

"Denmark showed its beautiful side when the Royal Ship Dannebrog rounded Kronborg Castle in Helsingør earlier today

For 92 years, the Royal Ship Dannebrog has served as the official and private residence of Christian 10th, Frederik 9th and Her Majesty Queen Margrethe. Today, Their Majesties The King and Queen continued this tradition as they began their first sailing season as the royal couple at midday."

lovely video from their point of view. Highlighting the crew, the people, and Denmark. What a great tradition that they continue

More photos on the royal house website:

polyesco said:

"Today at noon, Their Majesties The King and Queen officially boarded the Royal Ship Dannebrog and thus began the first sailing season as a royal couple️
The cannons on Batteriet Sixtus fired 27 shots as the Royal Ship passed, after which the 92-year-old royal ship continued to Helsingør to receive a salute from the cannons at Kronborg Castle.
The traditional boarding marked the beginning of this year's sailing season, which brings the King and Queen on a commonwealth cruise and summer cruise, among other things."

https://www.facebook.com/detdanskekongehus/posts/pfbid02prACJhEwxeXW3W7m7Lip54JAhGZ6RmGDZfkni1BX7TCwEeUo1jqrKT5rMXVPYfMGl

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What an elegant profile Queen Mary has. I've noticed it often. An enviable profile of someone who stays fit.

Love the scenes of cannon fire at Kronborg and of their arms around each other on the top deck. Whoever filmed that and put it together has a good eye.

I will put this here. This is so lovely! I am sure Fredensborg holds many wonderful memories for them!

What a lovely photo!

The king says that Fredensborg is a very special place for them and that it always feels like home.
- We became a family here, and we started a family here, and therefore Fredensborg will always have a special meaning for us.
Kvinde fik det dårligt, og lagde sig for kongens fødder – han kom til undsætning med vand

The officer standing on the deck of the chaluppe is King Frederik's yacht-captain. As such he will also act as (the highest ranking) an adjutant. The command of Dannebrog is considered the most distinguished command in the Danish navy and it is also almost always the last command a captain has before retiring after a distinguished service.

The cannons at Kronborg are widely regarded as the oldest artillery pieces in active service in the world. (Don't know if that's correct though.) They are heavy bronze pieces from the 1700s. Their range is about 3 km if they ever again were to fire balls. The castle of Helsingborg on the other (temporary Swedish side, because we shall one day regain our ancient lands) side of the sound had(have cannons with a similar range and the sound is 6 km wide at this point, so these two fortresses dominated the sound.
Interestingly this battery of bronze cannons right now constitute the entire Danish army artillery train! All other (self propelled BTW) Danish artillery pieces were donated to Ukraine, where I hope they are put to good use, and we haven't got any replacements yet.
Kronborg last saw action in 1801 and 1807 against the British navy.

Izzie said:

I will put this here. This is so lovely! I am sure Fredensborg holds many wonderful memories for them!

What a lovely photo!

https://content.invisioncic.com/r38859/monthly_2024_05/gettyimages-2151142882-612x612.jpg.1e1edb5f729f11593e17b82775fb945e.jpg

The king says that Fredensborg is a very special place for them and that it always feels like home.
- We became a family here, and we started a family here, and therefore Fredensborg will always have a special meaning for us.
Kvinde fik det dårligt, og lagde sig for kongens fødder – han kom til undsætning med vand

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Indeed. They lived at Fredensborg while their mansion at Amalienborg was renovated and it was at Fredensborg that Christian and Isabella first went to kindergarten. Within comfortable cycling distance from Kancellihuset BTW.

Izzie said:

I will put this here. This is so lovely! I am sure Fredensborg holds many wonderful memories for them!

What a lovely photo!

https://content.invisioncic.com/r38859/monthly_2024_05/gettyimages-2151142882-612x612.jpg.1e1edb5f729f11593e17b82775fb945e.jpg

The king says that Fredensborg is a very special place for them and that it always feels like home.
- We became a family here, and we started a family here, and therefore Fredensborg will always have a special meaning for us.
Kvinde fik det dårligt, og lagde sig for kongens fødder – han kom til undsætning med vand

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Here is that image, only in a larger size.

Sister Morphine said:

Here is that image, only in a larger size.

https://media.gettyimages.com/id/2151142882/photo/danish-royal-couple-welcomed-at-fredensborg-castle.jpg?s=2048x2048&w=gi&k=20&c=GPi5x1bymw-n8N7T46l9lN5kSrdtdPj2lNhUBvjkPrk=

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Love this! So much said with just a look, right?

Absolutely! There was also another cute photo of them walking toward the house where they appeared to be having a very animated conversation. LOL. Could be good for a "Caption This" contest.

The castle at Helsingor is a fantastic sight from the water.
The outline of the building is so strong and dominant, that even from a long distance it is easy to see against the sea and sky.
Here are some of the photos I once took when sailing past, and luckily wonderful weather … and no scaffolding over it.
And a very busy area with ships and yachts.
I wonder if people took their yachts out to welcome the Royal vessel.

I'm loving all the photos and videos! Beautiful!

The couple's interview with English subtitles

Lovely videos of their walk about. Slides 4 and 5 are very loving.


It's touching to see them walk towards Kancellihuset with arms around each other. Much like 18 years ago when they took home a newborn Prince Christian

Thank for the updates and especially the subtitles. Truly appreciate it.

Alisa said:

I'm loving all the photos and videos! Beautiful!

The couple's interview with English subtitles

Queen Mary Elizabeth | FANPAGE - Sophie on Instagram: "After many requests, I have tried adding subtitles on the excerpt of the interview from today. I am sure there are mistakes here and there, but I do hope you still are able to understand the majo

763 likes, 41 comments - queenmaryfanpagebysophie on May 2, 2024: "After many requests, I have tried adding subtitles on the excerpt of the interview from today. I am sure there are mistakes here and ther...".

www.instagram.com

Lovely videos of their walk about. Slides 4 and 5 are very loving.

Queen Mary Elizabeth | FANPAGE - Sophie on Instagram: "I love how much support and love they receive 🥹❤️"

1,208 likes, 21 comments - queenmaryfanpagebysophie on May 2, 2024: "I love how much support and love they receive 🥹❤️".

www.instagram.com

It's touching to see them walk towards Kancellihuset with arms around each other. Much like 18 years ago when they took home a newborn Prince Christian

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thank you for the English subtitles.
And the videos of the walk about, its the little touches between them that say a lot.

Lovely pictures of the day, the Royal couple just seem so happy greeting everyone.
From Helsingør Kommune.
Love picture #5

I love the way they both bend down to talk to children. They aren't the only royals who do it, but it's still considerate. It takes them down to their level so he or she feels like Frederik or Mary cares enough to speak to them rather than at them or toward them. It's the little things.

polyesco said:

thank you for the English subtitles.
And the videos of the walk about, its the little touches between them that say a lot.

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Lovely videos! And yes, the little sub-conscious touches between them - it is just instinctual and natural. It is not forced, awkward or rehearsed. It is wonderful to see. And great that they took the time to go and talk to the people gathered there and spend a little extra time. I am sure the crowd appreciated it. I had to LOL because you can see the photographers clicking away probably thinking "did we bring enough film to capture this?" "This was not on our photographer Bingo card for today!" and "we hit the jackpot with all these great photos!" Same for those filming the event as well! At both events!

Part of his speech at Fredensborg

"For our family, Fredensborg rhymes with spring. When we move north, the evenings are brighter, the forest is greener, and the sun is a little bit warmer. The season and surroundings invite outdoor life, and that suits us very well, because we are a family that thrive in the outdoors. Bicycles, horses and boats - we do most things," said King Frederik"

A cheerful couple

Many are posting on social media, lovely photos

This 20 minute YouTube was filmed by someone at the arrival at Helsingor and shows how it is to be in the crowd, as opposed to the official photos and videos.
I watched it on my TV which gives a better idea of the experience.
A very large crowd, and very windy day. At least the flags look great because of the wind.
Wonderful views of the castle.
Many people cut off behind the rail line … a train actually goes past … but able to see the cars leave.
Towards the end Mary comes close to the person filming and speaks to a child.
The band played ABBA’s “Dancing Queen” before the ship arrived.
And the royal vessel seemed to come in fast before swinging around to berth.
Lots of times the view of the couple is blocked by someone putting up their phone or getting their head in the way, but having been in some crowds here during visits to Sydney, I can say that is how it goes. This video gives you a good experience of what being there in person is like.
There are lots of good shots too, and the flags and castle are worth seeing with the blue sky.