Danish Opening of Parliament 2011

The Danish Royal Family today attended the opening of the 2011 Session of the Danish Parliament, at Christiansborg Palace.

Princess Benedikte, Prince Joachim and Princess Marie were the first to arrive, as per tradition; followed by Crown Prince Frederik and Crown Princess Mary. The royals were greeted by members of the Presidium of the Parliament, who were assembled on the flight of stairs leading into Christiansborg. Then, Queen Margrethe II and Prince Henrik made their arrival, and the royal family were escorted inside by members of Presidium.

Once inside, they were seated in the balcony, where they have an overview of the parliament below. Today’s opening was first for the country’s new Prime Minister, Helle Thorning-Schmidt, who was appointed to the post yesterday. In her first opening of parliament speech, Prime Minister Thorning-Schmidt said she aimed “to bring back broad-based co-operation” between both the governing and opposition parties – calling those gathered “the government for all of Denmark.”

As per usual – some may say this is another Opening of Parliament tradition – the Danish Royals had some issues remaining interested in the proceedings, and found themselves staring up at the ceiling, looking around, and well, catching some shut eye.

View the Opening of Parliament thread here.

Filed under Denmark, Germany
Tagged Crown Prince Frederik of Denmark, Crown Princess Mary of Denmark, House of Sayn-Wittgenstein-Berleburg, Margrethe II of Denmark, Parliament, Prime Minister Thorning-Schmidt of Denmark, Prince Henrik the Prince Consort, Prince Joachim of Denmark, Princess Benedikte of Denmark, Princess Marie of Denmark.