Sternchen
Serene Highness
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nwinther, you crack me up
That's old tradition in the DRF. During the summer they move out into the country, I.e. Fredensborg. During the winter they stay in the city, I.e. Amalienborg.
Even though nowadays the Regent Couple seems to have taken up almost permanent residence at Fredensborg.
If you think that's a lot of moving about, this is nothing. Up until the introduction of absolutism around 1660 the Danish kings were constantly on the move.
In fact Copenhagen didn't become a de facto capital city until late in the 1400's.
Up until then the entire government apparatus usually moved around with the king.
By 1500 the administrative system had been so large and cumbersume that it wasn't possible to by mobile anymore. But the kings themselves where on the move for almost 200 years more.
Yes but why do they need to move between these two residences. Why not stay in the country, while their family is young and travel to the city for official reasons only?
Is there something wrong with Frederik? I think he often looks stressed and tense during nearly all newer pictures. His smile an laughter don't look as natural as some time ago. In some pictures he looks nearly a bit depressed. Like he really isn't enjoying what he is doing. He does not even look that happy in the newest pictures even if he and Mary are expect twins. Could it be some kind of midlife crisis?
Personally I wouldn't blame them if they did. Especially since Fredensborg seems such a great place for children to live.
There are several reasons.
The court, the entire administration is located at the Amalienborg complex. - It consists of more than the four palais.
Queen Margrethe could die tomorrow, so they might just as well get settled at Amalienborg.
Amalienborg is the official and main residence of the DRF, so it's expected that the members of the DRF, spend a good deal of time there. - Just as it is more or less expected that QEII spend at least some time at Buckingham Palace.
Another and perhaps just as important reason is showing affilliation with the various parts of Denmark. That's also why the Regent Couple in particular move between the various residences throughout the year. Marselisborg in Eastern Jutland, Gråsten in Southern Jutland, to show their affilliation with these parts of the country as well. - Otherwise people would complain: "They are only in Copenhagen, we never see them in this part of the country and why have palaces/mansions standing around if they are never used and so on...". Believe me, that has very much been a topic in the past!
Which is of course why the summer cruises with Danneborg are so important and appreciated. - If the DRF haven't got a local residence, they can at least bring a residence with them. And that taste a bit like bird...
It would be comparable to the US President and his/her family being only head of state and not also head of the government. He could have his main residence in Washington DC, but during the year or his time in office also live for perods in mansions in California, Colorado, Ohio and Arkansas to show affilliation with all of USA. - A bit impractical perhaps but that may be outweighed by the symbolism?
Thanks very much for taking the time to explain this to me.
I do see the point for the Monarch, but for the Crown Prince and Family, I could see the point of them staying put in the country.
Muhler I have a question for you please. When F&M take over will Joachim and Marie fill their position since the children will probably be to young?
Because Mary and Frederik, in my opinion, are now taking over from the Regent Couple in earnest.
Queen Margrethe and Prince Henrik are both over 70. PH has openly stated that he has more or less retired.
Queen Margrethe will not abdicate.
There have in the last to-three years been indications pointing towards Mary and Frederik taking over from the Regent Couple in almost anything but name. Despite Mary's pregnancy M&F have continued to perform tasks and take on events, where it would be more natural that at least the Queen took on.
QMII has said herself that she now work more closely with Frederik than ever before and that she follow his advise. (I.e. do things his way).
It's on the job training and preparation of course. But it's more than that. I believe we are looking at an ongoing transition right now.
I predict that within the next two years, QMII & PH will have semi-retired and that they will play a much lesser role than now, except for the constitutional tasks. That means that M&F will be the de facto regent couple.
And when the time comes, the change from CP-couple to regent-couple will be fairly small, for M&F.
Queen Margrethe has spoken about how big a change it was for her to become a Queen. She had to learn a lot and learn fast.
Polls have shown that the Danes are very positive towards QMII abdicating. Not because they are displeased with her, on the contrary. But because they think she has the right to retire and enjoy her remaining years.
Polls also show that the Danes believe M&F are now ready to take over.
QMII is a wise woman, no doubt about that. So why not compromise? Ensure that the transition for Mary and Frederik is as smooth as possible, let them already now put their mark on how things are done, let them already now take center stage.
So that, when she drops from the pearch as she puts it herself, M&F are already in their roles as king and queen.
I believe J&M will be even more busy than they are now. Our Marie will also, apart from accompanying Joachim on even more travels, have her own interests and she will probably in many ways take over from Princess Benedikte as well.
I think Danes know Fred quiet well and so also his personality What is QMII supposed to do to shorten the training on the job?
But people are always critical about the new monarch; the new monarch will 'never be quite as good as XXX'. It was the same thing when Margrethe became queen. She was quite different from her father -not the jovial easy-going type he was. I remember my grandmothers saying that she was 'not like her father', meaning that she was lacking, but they were willing to give her the benefit of the doubt.....but people are likely to get more critical, especially if Frederik will be lacking the strong personality his mother has.
I think Danes know Fred quiet well and so also his personality What is QMII supposed to do to shorten the training on the job?
I'm really not sure whether this 'waiting period' is as problematic to Frederik as it may be to Charles. Frederik probably (hopefully!) has a calmer and happier private life than Charles had (his first marriage). Frederik may for all we know be having what to him is the best of several worlds, a good private life with lots of kids, interesting work where he may still opt out on some of the ceremonial duties - and he's still the 'vice president of the firm'.i dont know, i didnt suggest such a thing in my post. i only said that training on the job is a difficult thing and gave prince charles as an example. the queen is still the queen and remains in charge therefore training on the job is technically impossible what is frustrating for the trainee (who is a grown man) as the years continue. you either are in charge or you are not, there is no such thing as a quasi-monarch.
She didn't come ready-packed as the self-assured queen we see today. She grew into it, and why shouldn't that happen for the next monarch as well?
because these days - and i am not only talking about denmark - people dont see monarchy as a god given institution anymore with the right to remain forever. they want to see a benefit for what they give in return, not to forget that the media of the 21st century has become powerful and respectless. i doubt frederik will be given the same timeframe to perform or grow into it - decades - that the public was willing to give his mother.
That was hardly the case in the early 70's either, when QMII took over.
....
i don't know, i think Charles is pretty much accepted as he is these days. he has certainly carved out his own identity, very much redeemed himself, with his interest in things that actually make a difference to our quality of life (eg. gmos, architecture, environment, his charities). I would say, "all's well that ends well", except that QEII is not yet at an end!!!
And he's 62 years old, what would he want to go about with his mother for?
same for Frederick, i imagine. He should carve out his own identity for what he wishes to be remembered for.
The press are saying that the queens facebook page has received a lot of hate mail directed toward Camilla.
Queen Margrethe has done her son a very great service by incorporating him into the mix of constitutional business on what appears to be a very regular basis. Evidently, the Queen has looked at the bigger picture and understands how imperative it is that her heir is educated in the ways of kingship, firsthand. Now, Charles too undertakes various roles in his mothers shaddow, but in Denmark the heir takes on what appears to be a more active role in their position.
In Britain though, the heir has generally been considered to be an accentric time waster.
Infact, I'd suggest Charles to have been one of the only Prince of Wales who has really tried to pursure a meaningful purpose during this 'interim' existance. It can't have been easy. "
In view of the announcement between William and Catherine Middleton and a wedding for next spring/summer. I thought I would speculate about the guests attending and the logistics, by saying with so many royal guests and heads of state descending on London for the big day; I wonder if the Danish Royal family and the Norwegians and Swedes would have their yachts at anchor in the Thames. Like they sometimes do when on official visits to Britian. But in this case it would free up much needed Palace bedroom space and Hotel space. Besides which, these families feel most comfortable on their yachts. The children could go with them for instance and stay on board. Assuming the Scandinavian royals will attend the several days of celebratory events pre wedding day.
As a Crown Prince couple I'm sure Mary and Fred would be invited.
Which brings up another point. As Mary will have her twins by then will there be room on board the yacht to accommodate the twins and Christian and Isabella.
Perhaps in the past Kings and Queens stay at either Buckingham palace or Windsor Castle. So perhaps the royal yacht will come in handy for the crown prince couple.
So my whole post is about speculation on where our favourite Danish royals will stay. And I'm excited that Mary will experience a big royal wedding. Victoria's was pretty big, but the British will go very big with this one, I expect.