Summery of a lot of articles in Billed Bladet #32, 2010.
Written by most of the royal reporters.
Mary's first appearance after announcement was when she, with a child in each hand was to board the barge, which were to sail her and QMII to Dannebrog for the navy review.
The weather was great so a lot of onlookers and half the press corp had shown up.
She was asked how she was.
M: "I and my husband are very unusually happy. And I'm well but I am unusually tired sometimes".
How was their own reaction to having twins?
M: "We were happy. It was a really huge surprise. You should have seen our faces when we were told we must have looked pretty funny".
Does the children know?
M: "Yes, they do".
Christian telling us: "There are two babies" and pointing with two fingers at Mary's belly. Followed by Bella, who with two fingers indicated that she also knew what was going on.
A moment later QMII arrived (*) and got a warm hug from Christian, with whom she seems to have a special relationship.
Well onboard Dannebrog they were met by Frederik. He had sailed with Dannebrog from Marstand in Sweden. He had however been to shore some time before for an interview with DR1. Here a happy Isabella threw herself in the arms of daddy and got a kiss.
The initial preparations for the birth are in place. The room at Rigshospitalet has been selected. It will be the same room which she has given birth in before. In case of complications the necessary equipment is at hand alternatively she can be wheeled very quickly to the specialised maternity ward.
It is indicated that members of the team who have assisted Mary at the previous births will be at hand this time as well. I.e. head of the midwives, Birgitte Hillerup and head of the (maternity) ward Mogens Hedegaard.
She is expected to attend a check-up at least every two weeks from now on, perhaps every week.
It was at the nuchal translucency scan recently that M&F were informed that they were about to have twins. At the same scan it would have been possible to detect if the twins are fraternal or identical.
In the medical jargon the twins are labbled Princess A and Prince B as the sex cannot yet be determined. That will have to wait a few weeks. (**)
Most of the press caught up with a jubilant Frederik in Marstrand at the race there and here Frederik said about explaining Christian and Isabella about having two younger siblings: "It's difficult to know whether they understand it 100 percent as mother has no belly yet. We have told them that there will be two, but I don't think they have quite understood it".
He also said: "It's a huge joy for both of us. To have a child is after all a miracle. But to have two is just twice as lovely".
About breaking the news to QMII: "My mother was told quietly and calmly in the way you tell about things like that. It is after all a happy message, which you look forward to sharing with others".
As for building an extension to Kancellihuset of getting bigger car a grinning Frederik replied: "It's possible we will have to extend a bit". - Don't worry they do have room for twins...
The differnce in age between Joachim and Frederik is so small that they practically grew up as twins. There were advantages to that in the sense that they understood each other and could better support each other.
Frederik is quoted in a book for saying about his brother: "When I feel so close to him, it's because you in him have a 100 percent support. And confidence. Especially confidence. That you know his mouth is closed and sealed shut. If you really want to talk to him about something, you know that he never, not even under torture and despite curses, will reveal anything. That's a trait which is rare and which he pocess in abundance".
Billed Bladet also called John Donaldson and Susan Moody in France. (***)
John Donaldson determines: "I cannot recall any twins in the Donaldson family. Perhaps on my mother's side far back". He also said: "It was my sister-in-law, Cathy (Catherine Murray, Mary's moster = maternal aunt) who called me from Edinburgh. She had heard about on the radio and would like to share her joy with me. I think it's utterly fantastic and actually I cannot say how happy I am. Now I'm looking forward to talk to Mary and hear how she is and then Susan and I will try to pop around Denmark later in the year".
And as for celebrating the news: "I made some snacks and opened a good bottle of redwine and then we toasted for everything going well for my daughter and her little family in Denmark. There is some work ahead with two babies all at once and with Christian and Isabella as well. But fortunately Mary has a good husband.
I'm confident Frederik will help as much as he possibly can".
Susan Moody said: "And since it will be twins I'll certainly say that I'm doubly happy". She can hardly wait for the birth.
Also Mary's sister, Trish Woods, who was the first to know, has a comment: "We are all so happy. - I've spoken to Mary several times and told her how happy we all are. Not least our children. They were jubilant when they heard ther will be little twins in Denmark".
(*) According to navy protocol the highest ranking enter a barge as the last one, but leave the barge as the first.
(**) That's what the article says. We didn't want to know about the sex of our own children, so I'm not sure. Will have to ask Mrs. Muhler.
(***) The jounalist Anna Johannesen in particular seems to have developed a very good rapport with them. They appear to have a tendence to say more to her than other journalists I'm aware of.