General news about Frederik, Mary and Family 2: February - August 2008

[Madame Royale]

I too think of Mary as a Dane, because she is one. I also think of her as the former Australian, which she shall always remain.

It's a "tag" she'll be unable to rid herself of, not that she should wish too of course. Being an Australian was I'm sure, a major part of who she was and who she still is to this day I'd imagine.

But she'll always be referred to in the media as the 'Australian born' Crown Princess, and when their time beckons, the Australian born Queen. Because, that is what she is and shall be.

[Winnie]

Originally Posted by Madame Royale

I too think of Mary as a Dane, because she is one. I also think of her as the former Australian, which she shall always remain.

It's a "tag" she'll be unable to rid herself of, not that she should wish too of course. Being an Australian was I'm sure, a major part of who she was and who she still is to this day I'd imagine.

But she'll always be referred to in the media as the 'Australian born' Crown Princess, and when their time beckons, the Australian born Queen. Because, that is what she is and shall be.

Yes, you are correct. Maxima said it quite nicely once -- she stated that she is "Dutch who just happened to be born in Argentina". Really a good and proper way to embrace her new life. I'm sure that Mary has the same mind set.

[Aotearoagal]

Originally Posted by Amelia

Is it though? The UK has a population of roughly 12 times that of Denmark so obviously there are always going to be a big differences in the amount of engagements carried out. I suppose to get a fair comparison you would have to compare two countries similar in size and population to see if Frederik is pulling his weight but 72 doesn't seem like a whole lot. I wonder how it holds up against the number carried out by other members of the Royal Family?

NOt really - the number of engagement requests coming in would be similar. All the same issues - welfare, charities, health - still have to be covered in both countries. Basically, if Phillip and Charles can manage more than an engagement a day, seven days a week, on average, Frederik could manage more than one and a half a week! Weren't the nannies engaged exactly so that Fred could carry out his royal duties? They should be part-time if he is working part-time ... and if we accept your logic, Fred & Mary and the other royals should be occupying housing that is one-twelfth as big or prestigious as, say, Prince Charles's house ... and Mary should have one-twelfth the wardrobe allowance ...

[crisscross1]

Originally Posted by Winnie

"Dutch who just happened to be born in Argentina". .

I always thought she was born in Australia.

[Princess Robijn]

Originally Posted by crisscross1

I always thought she was born in Australia.

That's not about Crown Princess Mary, but about Princess Máxima of the Netherlands.

[Amelia]

Originally Posted by Aotearoagal

NOt really - the number of engagement requests coming in would be similar. All the same issues - welfare, charities, health - still have to be covered in both countries. Basically, if Phillip and Charles can manage more than an engagement a day, seven days a week, on average, Frederik could manage more than one and a half a week! Weren't the nannies engaged exactly so that Fred could carry out his royal duties? They should be part-time if he is working part-time ... and if we accept your logic, Fred & Mary and the other royals should be occupying housing that is one-twelfth as big or prestigious as, say, Prince Charles's house ... and Mary should have one-twelfth the wardrobe allowance ...

Yes really. There is obviously going to be a greater number of duties in a country with over 60 million people to that of one with just over 5 million. Just like the Prime Ministers in both countries have very volumes of work to do. As for Frederik's allowance, I'm not totally sure but if I'm not mistaken it is even less than a twelfth of what Prince Charles has from the Duchy of Cornwall, which makes sense really - smaller country, smaller amount of engagements and smaller amount of money.

I'm not saying that I think that 72 engagement is ok, far it actually but that is for the Danes to take up with Frederik. I just think that comparing two countries with such a great difference in population size isn't a fair comparison.

[crisscross1]

Originally Posted by Princess Robijn

That's not about Crown Princess Mary, but about Princess Máxima of the Netherlands.

My apologies Winnie and Princess Robijn, I didn't read the post correctly.

[dazzling]

A nice read. Never came to mind that Frederik is the better one in the kitchen

Princess Mary is no queen in the kitchen

...
Speaking about his courtship with Princess Mary, Prince Frederik has told how the two got to know each other by going on short trips around Australia... - Full Article

[T4phage]

Can someone tell us the gist of this article?

SE og HØR - Sure Mary: Smed fulde Frede hjem

I think it implies that Mary flirted with some guy called Remee from X - Factor. But, my Danish sucks, so I'm not sure.

[randomlyKeira]

^^ is that insinuating that Fred is a drunk or something? I guess I don't have a good translator, because it makes no sense to me...

[sneeuwklokje]

Whoaaa, Mary has been busy lately, she is supposed to have "something" with Joachim and now this man!!

[randomlyKeira]

^^ You mean Joachim who cried when he saw his bride coming down the isle?? That man is not having an affair any time soon! And anyone that see's Fred and Mary can see that they're in love! She's the real-life cinderella! Was this one of those German weekly's that admit that their articles "have elements of fantasy"??

[sneeuwklokje]

Please don't take my post seriously, it's ment to be a joke, hence the !!

[randomlyKeira]

I know! It's completey ridiculous! But was that in one of those German "fantasy" mags?

[ricarda]

AFAIK those stories started in Scandinavian "fantasy" mags.
I know German mags are awful but - to be fair - it seems to me most of the time they are just repeating the nonsense that is written in other countries. I mean they are not the only ones writing "fantasy" stories.

That detail about Joachim being drunken is typical Se&Hoer if you ask me, they always presented Joachim as drunken and gay in the past. Well, it seems they dropped the "gay" part in the meantime.

[Aotearoagal]

Originally Posted by dazzling

A nice read. Never came to mind that Frederik is the better one in the kitchen

Princess Mary is no queen in the kitchen

...
Speaking about his courtship with Princess Mary, Prince Frederik has told how the two got to know each other by going on short trips around Australia... - Full Article

The Australian continues the Mary coverage with an account of the Trine Villemann book in its colour weekend magazine today. Just an extract of the English version which goes on sale in August. It has also been reported that Frederik will remain at the Beijing Olympics for longer than Mary, observing the yachting, and will join her in Tasmania at a later date, not specified. That may well be partly to protect the children from the smog in China - Tasmania is definitely a healthier place to be!

[tan_berry]

Both spanish magazines, ABC and Hola, tell of a long kiss in the mouth, not shown in images, relating the now famous photo. Had that been the case, there would be reasons for the Denmark Royal House worry about prince Joachim´s alcohol intake habits.

[JessRulz]

Here is a poll conducted by Billed Bladet, asking whether Frederik will become King sooner rather than later. "Ja" is yes, "nej" is no

[Villemann]

I have seen this poll and I am very chuffed. Even Billed-Bladet, the most loyal of royal magazines, has now caught on to the fact that we need to discuss our monarchy! Yuippieee! Disturbingly for Frederik more than 60 percent - the last time I looked - think Margrethe should stay on to modernize the monarchy instead of leaving the reigns to Frederik.

[Duke of Marmalade]

Originally Posted by Villemann

Disturbingly for Frederik more than 60 percent - the last time I looked - think Margrethe should stay on to modernize the monarchy instead of leaving the reigns to Frederik.

It's not disturbing at all, it's rather normal. Ask spanish people if they want Felipe instead of JC and they will tell you that they rather wish their King was immortal. I would have the same guess for Britain. Everywhere where the monarch has done a good job and has enjoyed a particulary long reign people don't want changes and they can't imagine the successor being as competent or even better. I completely agree with you that monarchy as an institution needs modernisation - probably in any monarchic country which will come down to the successor of the long term monarch - but I still see Frederik in a better position than The Prince of Wales with his vast tradition empire or to Prince Felipe who will face abolishment if he doesn't get his act together quickly. The only exception might be the Dutch where abdication and handing over is a common thing so people are not too afraid of change or know well that the CP is fit for reign and fully accepted and included in everything otherwise the monarch wouldn't pass on at that stage.