Our Marie has been interviewed by the very serious newspaper, Jyllands Posten, which being a paper that is very much focused on commerce doesn't usually deal that much with the DRF.
I often buy Jyllands Posten myself but I didn't get this issue.
Anyway, BT has written a couple of articles with excerpts from the interview.
En frustreret mor er ikke en god mor - Royale - BT.dk
Så hårdt arbejder Marie og Joachim til dagligt - Royale - BT.dk
It's not always possible to take bette Henrik with them when J&M and being away from her son can be a bit hard for Marie:
"Especially when we are away for a longer period, then I'm having a guilty conscience and I miss him. It's hard not to be frustrated but (it is also) very important to find a balance. A frustrated mother is not a good mother. I love to be a mother and I love to be home, but I need other stimuli (as well). I can't just sit around thinking about my family, when I have the opportunity to help other people".
Marie has selected the organisations she wished to be patron for carefully.
"The biggest priviledge is, that you as a princess, can create attention about important issues. That I have the opportunity to make a difference!. I have for example become patron for the AIDS Foundation recently. which I look incredibly much forward to. There are so many hiv-afflicted, who live in loneliness due to prejudices, because there are afraid of the reactions of others. There are still too many who die and way too many are children. It's still an illness that is seen as a tabu. That I would like to create awareness about".
Education is also one of her interests.
"I work with Southern Danish University in having foreign students going to Denmark. I believe very much in international environments for studying. It broadens your horizon.
I've learned an incredibly lot by working and staying abroad". (*)
The life Marie and her Joachim live is not that far removed from ordinary people.
"Life as princess is certainly different from the fairy tales. My husband wasn't a frog when I kissed him the first time. (**) Today princesses work. They are more independent in their choices. They do of course have a big responsibillity in representing the DRF. We would like to help, where we can and work for our country. This is something I do with pleasure".
Marie is fine with shifting between Schackenborg and Copenhagen all the time:
"I love the city and to be in contact with many people, but I really need to be out in the nature (as well) and be a bit protected (***). That's why it's so fantastic to be here. We are after all often at Amalienborg in Copenhagen in connection with meetings and official duties. I feel I get thet best from two worlds".
The day at Schackenborg begin early in the morning. Marie prepares breakfast to the family, before taking bette Henrik to the nursery. Then she returns to the office on the second floor of the manor.
Joachim's day at the office rarely ends before 17.30.
"Schackenborg is a business, which demands a big effort and a lot of our time. Apart from that I have many meetings with protections and organisations I work with all over the country and in particular in Copenhagen. In fact we do spend a lot of time travelling (on the road) back and forth. So when we are at home, there is a lot to do in connection with running Schackenborg".
Marie admits that her knowledge of agriculture is pretty limited so instead she works with Joachim on the business side of the firm.
"Apart from my protections and official duties I also focus on Schackenborg. My husband and I work really well together. I work more on the business-side, because I haven't got much experience with agriculture. But we do exchange opinions, talk about strategies and new products. It's teamwork".
In their sparetime they go for a walk around the manor or cook.
"The meal means a lot, also to Henrik, and we love to cook together. Is the weather really bad, we watch a movie or read a book, when we have time, but we haven't got that much time. Time is a precious commodity, so it's important to prioritize".
(*) And now we have established la charmant Marie's favourite expression: incredibly.
For Mary it's fantastic and for QMII it's amusing.
(**) I cannot resist:
http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-XUeY3205U...CI/xqYPW1afT6A/s1600/DonMartin_FrogPrince.jpg
http://lh3.ggpht.com/_JkNmZHPcBcY/Su9oyz5IJtI/AAAAAAAAASU/Qe9XDGHswKw/frog6.JPG
http://www.nachshon.org.il/~itzs/Don Martin/gallery/Frog10.jpg
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2675/5759738930_d144ed675d.jpg
http://media.comicvine.com/uploads/0/77/1638634-dddd.jpg
(***) Even though she's mistress of the manor, to the locals she's also one of them, and you don't bother, stare at, photograph or give away one of your own.
I know she is in "maternity leave"...but that means that she cannot have a bit of fun and go out of her house?
