Thank you Muhler! I would like to learn more about it, if you have the time to share.
No problem.
Check this post sometime tomorrow. I'll add an explantion/summary or whatever.
------------------------
Summery based on a number of articles in Billed Bladet #31, 2009.
Around 150 guests were invited. Many of them top businessmen from DK and a handful of Swiss too. To witness Bette Jokke become Bette Henrik.
One of the guests in particular got special attention. Caroline Fleming. As the weather was fine all the mere mortal guests were offloaded some hundred meters from the church and required to walk to the church along the cobbled streets in Møgeltønder Main Street – on stilettos! With spectators flanking them on both sides. Joachim really knows how to entertain the locals, eh?
Anyway, one of them was Caroline Fleming, wearing a Cruella de Vil outfit. She was asked for autographs, which she happily agreed to. And posed for photographs, yes she was busy. All while at the same time discreetly concealing a tear in the dress, which had come by when she got out of the car. (*) But that didn’t ruin her mood: “It’s crazy. I think I’ve written 500 autographs. But my, people are sweet”.
Among the invited guests was the maternity team, which had taken care of our Marie at Rigshospitalet. They brought a red pedal driven racing car for Bette Henrik, presumably he will grow up to be a petrol head like daddy, I guess.
Mary and Frederik and their children were also among the guests. Mary carried Bella. Wanna walk yourself, Bella? - No! See, a red carpet. Wanna walk along it? - No!
Christian however darted ahead. The presence of two zillion photographers didn’t bother him. He greeted them with a: “Goddag = Good day”. (**) He spotted the red carpet and as a royal child, he knew at once that he was supposed to walk, well, run along it. – Only to be called back. Posing time. Yeah okay, so he jumped back to Mary and Frederik and Bella.
Even though our Marie’s grandmother (farmor) Odile de Sarigny couldn’t attend the christening, she was within eyesight of her granddaughter, sort of. – In the shape of a gold medallion worn around the neck of Bette Henrik. On it was stamped a cross and a lamb, which is a symbol of blessing.
The medallion was presented when they visited the venerable old lady in France earlier this summer.
It wasn’t the only new piece of personal ornament we saw in the church that day. The Marie wore an aquamarine ring, which was a present from her father-in-law, Henrik. He gave it to her right after the birth of Bette Henrik.
Motherhood becomes la Marie. Not that there wasn’t much trouble. (***) He was perfectly contend with being in the arms of mother, nap a little and whimper a little when he wanted to suckle a finger or to have a look around.
Daddy Frederik took care of the children, so he wasn’t bored! It also gave the photographers something to focus on. Queen Anne-Marie, who sat next to Frederik was at some point shanghaied as a play-aunt. She was equipped with a Lego-animal. Now, play tante (aunt) Anne-Marie!
All children present were invited to gather around the baptismal font for a better view. A thing that has become very widespread in recent years. They are after all the future target group, right?
That included Bella and Christian. Okay, Christian has tried this before, so he has some routine and kept quiet. Bella however, doesn’t seem like someone in loss of words and she had a few things to comment on. – As long as she could stand right next to mother, that is.
Okay, the christening is over. The baby has been bathed, or whatever happened. Big brother Christian has darted away. And there is an awful long way back to daddy and the church is big and there are loads of strange adults. Better stay with mother. Yes!
However something displeased her and she soon out wailed Bette Henrik. – And the bishop. – And the choir. – And the organ. – Had Mary not got up and handed her daughter over to the nanny, she would probably have out wailed the church bells too!
The nanny took Bella out in the porch (****), where she with efficient means not disclosed here, managed to quieten her down. Bella was however soon after reunited with her mother.
On the way out of the church Princess Marie and Joachim stopped in front of Queen Margrethe and Prince Henrik. And the überdelighted Prince Henrik caressed his latest grandson. He said afterwards: “It’s a good name. Very fine. And Yes, I’m very, very happy”.
Frederik, or more likely the nanny, had brought books, sweets, biscuits, Lego-animals and what looks to me like Play Mobil figures to the church to keep Christian and Bella occupied, but Nikolai and Felix are too old for toys, at least in church. That didn’t prevent Nikolai from showing some initiative. He folded a couple of paper fliers for himself and Felix. And when Marie and Joachim passed, he graciously presented his flyer to Bette Henrik, that was however declined. Okay, then Christian can have it. And he was delighted indeed!
Upon returning to Schackenborg it was time for the official photos. No big deal for Bette Henrik. He stayed awake and acted cool.
And why not? He was hardly the only baby around. A number of the guest also brought their children and no less than seven nannies in total were busy looking after them! So a makeshift nursery had been set up at the manor.
Most of the guests strolled the few hundred meters to Schackenborg, where a tent had been erected. Here they could leave their coats, freshen up, have a glass of champagne, hand over their presents and sign themselves in the guestbook before greeting Joachim and Marie.
As Joachim and Marie personally greeted and thanked all the guests after the official photo session he did not give a speech later on. (*****)
I’m certain one or two among you had a closer look at what Mary wore and I can inform you that she carried a Chanel bag and wore Pradas on her feet.
Mary’s stylist is as all on this board probably know by now, Søren Hedegaard. Our Marie’s stylist was Dennis Knudsen, whom she has used before. He was observed arriving at Schackenborg with his tool kit. It was also he, who styled Marie at her wedding.
What followed was an informal reception with a buffet but things developed and once the Queen and some older guests had left a few hours later, including Mary and Frederik it was party time! The stereo was turned way up and people were having fun to well into the night. The Royal Guitars who had played in the church and at the reception had left. (Perhaps dumped into the moat. They were boring).
The party didn’t seem to disturb Bette Henrik. He slept soundly. The party was with personal friends of Marie and Joachim and Marie’s family.
(*) And what can we learn from that, ladies? Screw the salad and enjoy life. The dress is going to tear at the seams anyway. Especially if you pour yourself into the outfit.
(**) DK lesson:
Goddag = Good day = polite/formal greeting.
‘Dag = G’day = informal greeting.
Hej = Hi = informal greeting.
Davs = Howdy = informal greeting.
(***) The first one is always quiet. But the second one! Within a day or two they have scanned the layout. – I need a breast, a place to crash, attention and protection. In short: Mother. Check. – Aha, I’ve got competition! (Older sibling and dad). Only one thing to do: Wail. Loud. For as long as needed. And a little more, just to be on the safe side! And they do it for several years.
They are cunning little monsters, you know!
(****) Actually våbenhus = house for arms. In all Danish churches the first room you enter is called våbenhuset. From medieval times, this was where you stored your weapons before attending a service. All free men were often armed back then. The name has stuck ever since.
(*****) Joachim is apparently an excellent speaker. According to the comments on DR1 the locals were still talking about a speech he had delivered at an anniversary I believe.
---------------------
Alas, I don't appear to have anything written down on the tradition used by Prince Henrik.
I remember that it took place at the hospital and that he blessed his grandson, in this case Henrik, with wine on his forehead and lips.
