Danish Royal Family Christmas: 2003, 2004, 2006-2014, 2016-2023


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Thanks for clearing that up.

Christmas is for family and they will all be with their families....their immeadiate families. I don't see what the problem is...it isn't as if they don't see each other at all. As people marry and start their own families, its only natural that sometimes they don't spend time with each other. I mean why is always assumed that Mary and Marie will spend time with Margrethe and Henri during the holiday...they have families as well.
 
We really do not know but if she didn't give brith may be it is more secure to be home cloe to the hospital just in case they born in cristmas eve! if she give birth or not she will be to tired anyway , i have a girl and i remeber you do not want to do anyting the last month or weeks to big too havy and i an not imagine with 2, and if she gave birth to much to handle even she might have 2 nannie plus the one they already have now, or they have 2 already? new home, first christmas there might be excited, her familly comming over, s many thing into consideration!
 
I'm starting to lean towards Mary having some of her family over for Christmas. In which case I believe it would be considerate of QMII and PH to let them celebrate Christmas alone. They may have their own traditions and cartainly a lot of family-talk and the presence of what is after all the Queen may put a little damper on things.

Another thing is that we may see a beginning of a new tradition, where the family take turns in hosting Christmas. And why shouldn't Joachim and Oor Marie wish to celebrate Christmas at home and start their own Christmas traditions.

I can certainly understand why M&F would not go to Schackenborg with two newly born twins.
And in case she hasn't given birth before Christmas Eve, she may be due any moment. I don't think anyone are prepared to take any chances. The nearest really well equipped hospital from Schackenborg is in Odense or Aarhus, where very competent specialists are ready at all times. The local hospitals closer to Schackenborg don't have the same equipment or staff.
We have to take into considerations that a helicopter cannot fly due to weather and then it's a long, very long, way with ambulance to Odense or Aarhus! Much safer to stay in Copenhagen and especially for Mary to know she would soon be in the hands of people she knows and trusts.

Having said all that, my prediction still stands: New Years Eve plus/minus two days.
 
I doubt that QM and the prince will (ever) be celebrating christmas in Copenhagen. It's tradition that they move out of the city for such events, usually to Marselisborg in Århus. I could imagine that M&F are staying in Copenhagen due to the pregnancy - and it would be more of a bother for M&J with 3 kids to move to Århus, than for QM and PH to go to Schackenborg. This way they can be out of Copenhagen and still celebrate christmas with the family.

I doubt this'll be a new tradition - it's not QMs style to change traditon.

On a nother note, it may add fuel to the fire regarding the rumors about Frederick and Joachim not being on the best footing. But I think if they can keep up appearances at other occations, they can at christmas as well. (Not sure there's much to the story anyways.)
 
I understood that Frederik and Mary will stay at Amalienborg because the hospital is close by their home so that makes sense.:flowers:
 
That was what I thought, too, but perhaps Mary's relatives will come to Denmark, or Marie's relatives? After all both women have families, too, only they are not royal :)

I'm sure that if Mary's relatives were to come to Denmark they would be made very welcome by Margrethe, Henrik and the rest of the family, and will be invited to the family celebration - the norm is for both sides of the family to celebrate together! I'd say that this arrangement means that Mary's family are NOT due in Denmark, and yes, they want to have a quiet Christmas.
You'd have to ask though, if you were in the Donaldson shoes, would you rather celebrate Christmas in Denmark or by the beach? :whistling:
 
My take on this is that M&F want to remain in Copenhagen to be near the hospital for whatever purpose.
 
and it would be more of a bother for M&J with 3 kids to move to Århus, than for QM and PH to go to Schackenborg.

That would mean that neither M&J or M&F would go to Århus again as it is more of a bother ;)

I'm sure that if Mary's relatives were to come to Denmark they would be made very welcome by Margrethe, Henrik and the rest of the family, and will be invited to the family celebration -

Nobody said they wouldn't be welcome ;)

You'd have to ask though, if you were in the Donaldson shoes, would you rather celebrate Christmas in Denmark or by the beach? :whistling:

Well, perhaps they would like a change from the heat for christmas once in a while :whistling:

My take on this is that M&F want to remain in Copenhagen to be near the hospital for whatever purpose.

I think we all agree on this one, but wonder why the rest of the family doesn't stay in CPH. :D
 
After reading all opinions here and thinking about that twins can be almost on their way around Christmas and that CP family can finally be at their new home... it's very logical that they want to celebrate Christmas in Amalienborg:)

And it's not crime or selfish to celebrate Christmas just with your husband and children...:) They obiously just want's to be only with their little family this year...
 


And it's not crime or selfish to celebrate Christmas just with your husband and children...:) They obiously just want's to be only with their little family this year...

I sort of agree - but look at the British royals: their Christmasses seem to be such a strong tradition that no-one breaks away for little family Christmas. Maybe that reflects the British royal family being a bit more fractured, or that Queen Elizabeth recognises the value in insisting on togetherness at Christmas. It's an interesting difference between the approach of the two houses. Certainly, in Britain, the tabloids (sigh) would be attempting to have a picnic on this. Danish journos are so much more sensible and kind!
 
That would mean that neither M&J or M&F would go to Århus again as it is more of a bother ;)

No. Since tradition have been broken - so far only once - it makes more sense to go to the kids' usual home. Once (if) traditon is resumed, the two junior families will meet on common ground (Marseilisborg) at their parents', rather than meeting on either familys home turf. Traditionally, all (grand)children are equal.
 
Maybe, but you used the argument that it is more of a bother to go with three children ;)
 
Can I ask a rather silly question? Why is it that Frederik and Mary staying at Amelienborg and not joining the rest of the Royal Family a problem?:flowers: It's sounding as if there is some sort of feud going on.
 
Can I ask a rather silly question? Why is it that Frederik and Mary staying at Amelienborg and not joining the rest of the Royal Family a problem?:flowers: It's sounding as if there is some sort of feud going on.

Oh, that's not a silly question.

It's no problem, at least not in my eyes, just a little unusual and a reason for some nice speculations. :p
 
I actually think it's lovely that Mary and Frederik are having Christmas with their own little family.

I'm sure they will see the extended family over the Christmas break.
 
If F&M want to stay behind to be closer to the hospital that's fine. Surely J&M and the rest of the family can appreciate/respect that. The health of the future Queen and potential heirs to the throne are at stake. And it's not like the family can't visit them and have another celebration before or after Christmas.
 
Summary of article in Billed Bladet #51, 2010.
Far kommer til Jul - Dad is coming for Christmas.
Written by Ulrik Ulriksen & Anna Johannesen.
http://www.billedbladet.dk/Kongelige/ArticleFolder/2010/12/Marys%20bedste%20gave%20Far%20kommer%20til%20jul.aspx

Unsurprisingly the main theme of this issue is Christmas, - and a lot of it!

Having now in earnest moved in at Amalienborg M&F will also celebrate Christmas here. And this year, they will for once be hosts and in charge themselves.
Mary has adopted the Danish Christmas traditions, which are of course different from Australian traditions.
And this year John Donaldson and Susan Moody will join them for Christmas Eve. (*)

Mary told our reporters: "We look very much forward to it. We sure do". (**)
During the Day of Christmas Eve (24th December) the CP couple will wish those members of their staff who at Amalienborg a merry Christmas and share a glass (wine presumaly) and a cookie.
Perhaps Christian and Bella will watch the traditional Disney Christmas Show. (***)
M&F's staff will tale care of the dinner, before it's time for a cosy time at the Christmas Tree. It's questionable whether they will dance around the Christmas tree, as the vast majority of Danes do, as this has never been tradition within the DRF.
After a few psalmes it's time for the presents.

(*) I hope they are already here, considering the problems in European airports.

(**) It is not clear from the article whether the brief conversation took place outside Rigshospitalet or on the telephone. My guess is the hospital.

(***) Alas I rarely have time to watch it myself. The show consists of a number of clips from Disney cartoons, including the absolute most romantic scene, ever made in movie history:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=av6AucgbL24&feature=related



Translation of three Q&A in Billed Bladet #51, 2010.
Q: Is QMII decoration her Christmas tree with flags (Danneborg), a Bjarne Jensen asks.
A: Jon Bloch Skipper replies:
The tradition about hanging flags on the tree isn't particularly Danish. Many Swedes and Nowegians among others do it as well. Here little Dannebrogs were taken into use as Christmas decorations in the mid 1800's (*), where also drums trompets and cornets began to be used. (**) I know that a major Danish newspaper one wrote that the Queen always decorate her Christmas tree with flags, but that as far as I know is wrong. The pictures I have found show that the royal tree each year is decorated by among other things red candlelights, Christmas hearts, cornets, balls and golden mica, but not flags. The Majesty prefer a simple tree with warm colours - mainly red and gold. If she has time she often create new Christmas decorations during December.

(*) As a result of the patriotic mood during the First Schleswigan War 1848-50. Before that commoners were not allowed to fly Dannebrog, it was only used by the king, the army and as a sign of nationality, like on merchant ships as well as warships.
The war changed that complety and we are to this day very enthusiastic about flying the flag.

Q: A Jonathan Christensen wish to know, whether Frederik and Joachim celebrate Christmas apart because they are not on friendly terms.
A: Jon Bloch Skipper replies that it's the most natural thing to do as Mary now is heavily pregnant.
Both Joachim and Frederik have several times denied rumours of there being a strain between the two of them.

Q: Aase Erichsen would like to know why QMII do her Christmas shopping in London, rather than in DK, thus helping Danish businesses.
A: Jon Bloch Skipper responds:
In my opinion it's an innocent and incidentally private Christmas tradition. The Queen had done the majority of Christmas shopping this way for a number of years, just as usually use the yearly mini-holiday in early December to visit her younger sister in the British capital. That the shoping takes place here ensure an even higher degree of privacy for the Majesty than she would have had here at home. Wonder if a journalist or two might not come up with the idea of revealing the contents of the royal presents, if she purchased them in ordinary Danish shops? That would be a shame, for the Queen as well for the persons the presents were meant for.

(**) The completely novel concept of dragging a tree into the living room at Christmas and decorating it came to Denmark from Germany in the early 1800's.

(***) We use candles on our tree when we dance around in and in the hours after that, otherwise it's electric lights.
 
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And we have the yearly Christmas cards from the DRF.

That of the CP-coupe family feature all four (well breathing members) of the family, That was taken sometime during their summer holiday. The card is signed with names of all four of them.

Joachim and our Marie, have chosen a black and white photo of Bette Henrik as their motif.

From Berleburg it's granny Benedikte and grandpa Richard, with their grandchildren Count Richard, Komtesse (*) Ingrid, little Konstantin and the family dog.

The Greek side of the family is well represented indeed!
They have chosen a group photo from the wedding of Nikolaos and Tatiana.

And finally we have the Regent Couple. They have chosen an idyllic photo of themselves visiting the Faroese Islands.

Even thogh Count Alexandra is no longer a member of the DRF, she has also published a Christmas card, in black and white, with her and all her boys, Martin, Nikolai & Felix.

(*) Komtesse = the unmarried daughter of a count.



The paper Jyske Vestkysten, which being local write a lot about Joachim and his Marie, has a few more details about Christmas at Schackenborg.

JV.dk - Nyheder - Indland - Dronningen fejrer jul på Schackenborg

QMII usually go to church Christmas Day (the 24th) and First Christmas Day (the 25th) and she is expected to attend services in Møgeltønder Church.

That should delight the locals. :)

- Right, no more coverage from the magazine edition of Billed Bladet this week and as I expect to be sligtly preoccupied the next few days, I will not have much time for this forum, so a Merry Christmas from me:

For those in the know: BB will be up tomorrow.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gEcCGN7diwU
 
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The Majesty prefer a simple tree with warm colours - mainly red and gold. If she has time she often create new Christmas decorations during December.
AFAIK then QMI often (like every year) makes new decorations in the night between the 23rd and 24th of December :whistling: Whether it´s for the tree or the table, I can´t remember ;)

(**) The completely novel concept of dragging a tree into the living room at Christmas and decorating it came to Denmark from Germany in the early 1800's.
You can read here (*) that the first christmas tree was lighted in 1808 at Holsteinsborg Estate(**).
(*) Danmarks første juletræ blev tændt i 1808 | Kristeligt Dagblad

(**) Holsteinborg gods
 
I like it more when the picture for the Christmas Card is taken in winter, but apart from that this is a beautiful picture.
 
It really is a lovely picture I can't wait to see next years with the twins! Will we get to see the rest of the cards mentioned by Muhler? Joachim and Marie's, Alexandra's, Benedikte's and the Greeks?
 
It's a really beautiful Christmas Card of the Family.
Like the fact that everybody is smiling and seem to be happy.

And crm2317 I'm also looking forward to next years card!
 
Thanks iceflower.

Lovely to see all the cards.
I really like the one of the of Mary, Frederik and the children it it so warm and sweet.
The photo of the Greek family is lovely, I am not sure I like it as a Christmas card.
 
Pictures of Margrethe,Henrik,Joachim,Marie,Nikolai and Felix in Møgeltønder

Kongelig jul i Møgeltønder | Starlounge

Thank you Little Sunshine & Terri Terri :flowers:

Our Marie look smart.

The article says the church was completely filled. That's pretty normal on the day of Christmas Eve, but I wonder if the presence of the DRF didn't play in as well....

It was pretty cold yesterday!
But in most of the country things were fairly normal after a blizzard. But not on the Island of Bornholm. (Population around 40.000). The island is litterally closed down due to the amounts of snow that had fallen. hundreds had to celebrate Christmas Eve in a barracks and a sports centre. They couldn't get inland from the ferries.
 
The cards are really nice, very family/warm feeling and nothing to official and posing.

Marie looked really nice in Møgeltønder yesterday. Was that her father in crutches? Little Henrik is missing from the picture though but I guess he is a bit too young.
 
Queen Margrethe, Prince Henrik, Prince Joachim. Princess Marie and her parents, Prince Nikolai and Prince Felix at Christmas Service at Schackenborg Church in Moegeltoender. December 24, 2010

PPE Agency Church
 
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