Frederik & Mary's Official/Business Visit to Australia; November 19th-26th, 2011

[iceflower]

Originally Posted by AnnaNotherThing

Thank you iceflower...you never fail to deliver...I know I can count on you (all) to find the pics I NEED :)

That's good to know


The final day and the final getty gallery:



** zimbio/gettyimages gallery: Prince Frederik and Princess Mary Visit Australia - Day 7 **



And a gallery of day 7 from sn.dk!

[Lady74]

Love her evening gown! How beautiful does she look ? Always perfect and with a beautiful smile

[Muhler]

Originally Posted by Lady74

Well if I had to label it I'd say a private school accent but really it's just an Australian accent that is heard all the time
Cheers

That's what I wished to know.

In case anyone is interested. Mary speaks neutral Danish with a clear Copenhagener pronounciation.
The same with Frederik, except that he has a slight Hellerup/northern Zealandic (posh) tone.
QMII has a distinct Northern Zealandic pronounciation and it's very distinct with Princess Benedikte.
Our Marie on the other hand speak an even more neutral Danish than Mary, without the distinct Copenhagener pronounciation. Presumably because she's is subjected to the Southern Jutlandic accent. - Which I've been told a few times is the most easy to understand for foreigners. (But not the dialects, mind you)!

I speak with an eastern Jutlandic pronounciation and that means I sound different from Copenhageners, especially in regards to the vovels E and A and the letter D. And sometimes I add a bit of dialect.
Mrs. Muhler speaks north-eastern Jutlandic and when she switch to dialect, she sounds very different from me and we only grew up about 80 kilometres or so apart.

However, if you didn't know that and listened to us and Mary speaking, you might very well sit there wondering why Mary doesn't sound like the "natives".

And a little clip about Mary and the anti-bullying: http://video.news.com.au/2170982649/...ea=videoindex1

ADDED: And a gallery from Billed Bladet of Mary in her gala-dress: https://picasaweb.google.com/1008659...54/MaryStraler

[grevinnan]

Originally Posted by Duke of Marmalade

I guess the DRF set on Mary's star/celebrity quality for survival. Will it work out? Is it good or bad? Who knows. Other royal houses try the survival strategy of the CPs as business couple but at some point people will find out that royals are powerless and only do or read speeches of what the government tells them.

I guess the celebrity strategy is not more or less risky than others, sad but true. I think that Mary did very well considering people dont seem to mind Mr Donaldson (the Danish CP that is) tagging along.

This trip certainly is taking royals as celebrities to a new level.

[Muhler]

Mary er en steg - Royale - BT.dk
The article isn't something worth writing home about but for those who are interested in downloading two HQ pics of Mary, take a look.

Also, remember to check out the links at the end of the article for more HQ pics, some of which have already been posted here. (The ones with the little red arrows).

Have a nice Saturday.

[nwinther]

Originally Posted by Muhler

(P.S: Rønnebærrene er sure i år).

Er de? Kan du uddybe? Jeg så ikke noget i artiklen som fik mig til at tænke "sure rønnebær".

(They are? Care to elaborate? I didn't see anything in the article that made me think "sour grapes".)

[FasterB]

Jeg forstå det heller... :) Er du okay, Muhler?

[Lady Rosie]

Hello everyone,
I have just woken to these beautiful photos of the CPC at the gala. Thank you to all for the wonderful contributions of photos, articles etc this past week.

RE: accent. In my own opinion, Mary still sounds Australian but you can hear the Danish lilt. Her accent is like that of someone who has been given diction/ speech classes. My son has had speech therapy and has a definite crispness and roundness of vowels.
So if I was guessing ( and I am!!) I would say, Mary was probably well spoken anyway but has polished her diction and pronunciation in preparation for her role, as well as the awareness of speech when learning her Danish.
In some clips you would have heard "Aussies" talking about meeting/seeing Mary. We don't all speak like that, but is not unusual in some parts. The ABC newsreaders are probably closer to the more well spoken "Aussie"
I think I rambled too much. Forgive me.
AnnaNotherThing did you go to see Mary in Melbourne?

[Terri Terri]

Originally Posted by Duke of Marmalade

I guess the DRF set on Mary's star/celebrity quality for survival. Will it work out? Is it good or bad? Who knows. Other royal houses try the survival strategy of the CPs as business couple but at some point people will find out that royals are powerless and only do or read speeches of what the government tells them.

I guess the celebrity strategy is not more or less risky than others, sad but true. I think that Mary did very well considering people dont seem to mind Mr Donaldson (the Danish CP that is) tagging along.

Crown Princess Mary only gets this kind of huge media attention in Australia (well apart from Denmark)...which is natural as she is a former Australian. She will always generate this kind of interest in Australia.
But let's face reality...outside of Scandinavia and Australia, she does not have such a huge star/celebrity kind of following...just look at the recent visit to New York. While there was some local media interest...not a huge amount compared to what the Duchess of Cambridge will receive.
So I disagree about this concept of the DRF relying on CP Mary's "huge celebrity"....IMO, the DRF are relying on a modern Crown Prince Couple and their family as a unit.
As for Crown Prince Frederik as "Mr. Donaldson"...well...at least Crown Princess Mary has a husband who is very proud of the great media and public interest that his wife and family receives in Australia and supports her at all times. He isn't threatened by her popularity...and that says a lot about Crown Prince Frederik as a man IMO!

[Viv]

TV2 News (Denmark) stated this morning that though CP Mary was the focus of attention throughout the Ozzie visit, CP Frederik doesn't seem to mind. Well, hopefully he doesn't.. though it must be strange being considered as an accessory knowing, that you are the reason for the other person being elevated and famous .

viv

[Terri Terri]

Originally Posted by Viv

TV2 News (Denmark) stated this morning that though CP Mary was the focus of attention throughout the Ozzie visit, CP Frederik doesn't seem to mind. Well, hopefully he doesn't.. though it must be strange being considered as an accessory knowing, that you are the reason for the other person being elevated and famous .

viv

I think that it was during their first official visit in 2005 when CP Frederik said that he would find it strange if Crown Princess Mary wasn't the main focus in the country of her birth. This massive media attention only happens in Australia...no where else. I think it is just as amazing to Crown Princess Mary that she attracted the kind of attention she did, given that she has been married for a number of years now.
But Crown Princess Mary attracting such huge media attention in the land of her birth seems to be exceptional. Did Alexandra attract such huge media attention when she visited Hong Kong? Would Princess Marie have huge media interest when she visits France or Geneva? Does Maxima have huge media interest when she visits Argentina?

[camelot23ca]

Originally Posted by Terri Terri

I think that it was during their first official visit in 2005 when CP Frederik said that he would find it strange if Crown Princess Mary wasn't the main focus in the country of her birth. This massive media attention only happens in Australia...no where else. I think it is just as amazing to Crown Princess Mary that she attracted the kind of attention she did, given that she has been married for a number of years now.
But Crown Princess Mary attracting such huge media attention in the land of her birth seems to be exceptional. Did Alexandra attract such huge media attention when she visited Hong Kong? Would Princess Marie have huge media interest when she visits France or Geneva? Does Maxima have huge media interest when she visits Argentina?

Well, Alexandra and Marie married the second son. There's still a story there but it's not quite the same as someone who marries the future King. Maxima, I think, does get quite a lot of attention in Argentina.

I think there have been plenty of times when Mary rather than Frederik was the focus of attention even in Denmark. He's never seemed to mind. Frederik doesn't seem to crave or even enjoy the spotlight, and I've sometimes wondered if he's not a little relieved to have a partner who takes some of the most intense attention off him.

[carlota]

thanks for all the contributions on the visit, it's been a nice update on the activities, which are very different and distinct from those on their first visit to australia. it seemed to me this visit was much more relaxed and "personal" than the previous one.

Originally Posted by Terri Terri

But Crown Princess Mary attracting such huge media attention in the land of her birth seems to be exceptional. Did Alexandra attract such huge media attention when she visited Hong Kong? Would Princess Marie have huge media interest when she visits France or Geneva? Does Maxima have huge media interest when she visits Argentina?

i don't think this is comparable. australia, being a (parlamentary) monarchy themselves, can identify with royals and what they mean than the french, the argentinian or the chinese, of course. just like the royal visit of william and kate to canada recently, the danish visit raised expectation in australia as people identify with how important monarchy is. none of this is the case for any of the other countries, whose experience with monarchy has been unexistant in recent history or ended in political turmoil and a guillotine in france.

[Terri Terri]

Originally Posted by camelot23ca

Well, Alexandra and Marie married the second son. There's still a story there but it's not quite the same as someone who marries the future King. Maxima, I think, does get quite a lot of attention in Argentina.

I think there have been plenty of times when Mary rather than Frederik was the focus of attention even in Denmark. He's never seemed to mind. Frederik doesn't seem to crave or even enjoy the spotlight, and I've sometimes wondered if he's not a little relieved to have a partner who takes some of the most intense attention off him.

Excellent point! You've hit the nail on the head I think!

i don't think this is comparable. australia, being a (parlamentary) monarchy themselves, can identify with royals and what they mean than the french, the argentinian or the chinese, of course. just like the royal visit of william and kate to canada recently, the danish visit raised expectation in australia as people identify with how important monarchy is. none of this is the case for any of the other countries, whose experience with monarchy has been unexistant in recent history or ended in political turmoil and a guillotine in france.

Thanks! Interesting point...I didn't think of that!

[Lady Rosie]

I agree with the points above. Also, I think there is a feeling of "good for Mary, she is doing a fabulous job, she is doing us ( and herself) proud.

I was a big Diana fan and used to go to see her in Australia and when I visited London. But, I haven't been to see any of the touring British royals since. I think some of their magic has faded for my generation.

Certainly William and The Queen attract crowds but we don't seem to identify with them as "one of us". I remember when M & F toured in 2005 ( i think) at the same period as Charles, the Danes attracted far bigger crowds.

My point? We certainly love the royal family here and it is part of our DNA. But Mary seems to make it more real for us and we are very happy for the wonderful union of M & F and family.

[AnnaNotherThing]

Originally Posted by Lady Rosie

AnnaNotherThing did you go to see Mary in Melbourne?

Hello Rosie...to answer your question: I never had any intention of going to see them in Melbourne...I only applied for the Canberra ballot because if I was successful, then my attendance would be out of my control...I would HAVE to go because I was INVITED

But my feelings towards royalty/celebrity are a bit double edged...while I am curious and would meet them if compulsory...I am cautious of not being a sad fawning groupie who puts such people on a pedestal...The is my personal conflict of ambivalence...I have curiousity about them as people but dislike what they represent (elitism, etc)...

I remember this being the case about 20 years ago when I lived in Townsville, QLD and my favourite royal at the time Sarah, Duchess of York was visiting our town...I was beside myself and went down to the park for the meet and greet but hung back from the sycophantic crowd and vowed not to be as pathethic as them and want to touch them (they aren't GODS after all) but I still got a good look without introducing myself or touching...So I am curious without wanting to be fawning..

[Madame Royale]

Originally Posted by grevinnan

This trip certainly is taking royals as celebrities to a new level.

Imo, that's nonsense.

Australian's, moreso than most American's it has to be said, recognise (imo) the difference between celebrity and royal. In this country celebrities attract fawning teenagers who scream, cry and require medical assistance. Not school children, mothers, fathers, grandparents and the like who perhaps want to get close enough to shake their hand, give them some flowers and exchange a few pleasantries.

Mary's no celebrity, and she cannot help how magazines portray her. Most people are sensible enough to acknowledge the fundamental importance of Mary's position in Denmark as Frederik's consort and having been Australian, inpsires much goodwill, curiosity and affection from those she once lived amongst.

I think that Mary did very well considering people dont seem to mind Mr Donaldson (the Danish CP that is) tagging along.

Good thing "Mr Donaldson" doesn't appear to mind then. No battered ego's here it would seem.

[AnnaNotherThing]

Celebrity and royalty...they are not mutually exculsive...Mary is a royal who is a attracted a lot of celebrity on her visit...Oprah is a celebrity who is treated like royalty...It is not either/or to me...Both co-exist...I hope I have meade sense?

[Madame Royale]

Mary is a royal who has attracted a lot of interest on her visit, but I'd not classify that as celebrity, certainly not in light of what that appears to suggest nowadays.

And in Australia Mary is not in our media on a day to day basis, not even on a weekly basis. Only in the leadup to the visit had Mary again started to front the covers of a few women's magazines. That will no doubt die down again after the visit is over and until something notable happens or something sensationalised is reported yet again as "fact". Being a commodity of the media is not something that can be necessarily helped if you hold a high profiled position in society, but the disparity between who is a popularized celebrity and those who live their lives according to the dynastic institution's they are born and married into is considerably great. The monarchy's existance represents an entirely different platform of meaning and cannot be sensibly drawn into such comparison.

Granted although an example, I still find it rather odd to compare the finaticism of Oprah maniacs (or any celebrity for that matter) to a grandmother, mother and daughter (3 generations) picking flowers from their garden in the hope they may be fortunate enough to give them to Mary herself. Modern day celebrity culture does not inspire that kind of wholesome interest or any sense of community pride.

And a notable point has here been made. Oprah is treated (worshipped) like an American version of 'royalty', but doesn't come close to the real deal. There are people who live their lives according to her advice and the mere fact she breathes has people going ga ga. She's a 'guru' and an emotional crutch for millions in America and around the world who perhaps need a therapist or counsellor, moreso than an Oprah Book Club membership.

That's not to detract from the good works she has done in her life, but she is the personification of celebrity.

[Lady Rosie]

Madame Royale, I concur with your explanation of royalty being different to celebrity.

Funnily enough, my mother has clippings from when QE 2 was young, then as she married, became Queen etc. I must have picked up the interest from her. My son and daughter saw Mary and Frederik with me.

As you say, it was welcoming, showing respect to the couple and also curiousity to see M & F. It was an enjoyable, wholesome day. I think the couple themselves feel very pleased at such greetings.

In my career I was in a position to meet many famous/VIPs/politicians so I do not get overawed by "a famous person". I do however have a respectful, interest in the royal family of the day and learning about the history/culture that goes with it.

I respect your views AnnaNotherThing. I'm sorry you didn't get to see the couple in Canberra. I think the weather was a bit inclement that day anyway.