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

[JessRulz]

Princess Mary dazzles at dinner - Nine MSN

Princess Mary takes part in a cooking demonstration with popular chef Matt Moran | thetelegraph.com.au - The Telegraph

Mary eats seafood and jelly - Nine MSN

Sydney's Westmead cancer centre honours Princess Mary | Herald Sun - Herald Sun

[gerry]

Originally Posted by Australian

Princess Mary surprises Nine News reporter

Princess Mary surprises Nine News reporter

Princess Mary made a surprise interruption to coverage of the royal visit this afternoon in Sydney.
Nine News reporter Sarah Harris was doing a piece to camera about it being "as close as the public will get to the royal family" when the Australian-born princess tapped her on the shoulder.
Harris was left stunned as she was told: "No, it isn't actually".
The veteran royal watcher said it was a surreal experience.
"I've covered the royal visits of Prince William and the Queen, but I’ve never had anything like this happen," she said.

Here is a wonderful example of why the media should always be taken with a very large grain of salt! Thank you Crown Princess for the timely reminder!

[Muhler]

Article from BT with three good pics of Mary cooking:
Mary i køkken-hopla hos verdens bedste kok - Royale - BT.dk


TV2 news at 19.00 also had a segment about M&F today, with a lot of clips from the days events. The emphasis today was about the pretty massive Danish commercial offensive to Australia.
Frederik talked a bit about that.

That segment should be online in a couple of hours. If so I'll edit this post.
If someone else should post that clip, cool!
In which case I - (or someone else? You for example?) - may write a bit about what Frederik was saying.

ADDED: Here it is: http://nyhederne.tv2.dk/video/index/id/45896206/

That includes a brief interview with a flowergirl, who is considering a career as a princess.

at 01:25 Frederik explains that this might be the right time for a commercial push towards Australia. And that it's advantageous to be a large group, who can brand DK as a strong country which has know how in new fields. (*)

Australia is interesting as a market because there is still an, albeit modest, economic growth there, in contrast to Europe.
Frederik is heard saying that he is proud that DK as a country has such a strong position (within these fields). He adds that the knowledge of DK in Australia by now is very big. There is of course a reason for that, he smiles. (**)

(*) Alternative energy (DK is expected to have 50 % of its energy consumption covered by primarily windmills in 2030 and 100 % by 2050), recycling, energy saving products and other environmentally sound initiatives. There is serious money in that! At present about 10 % of DK's export are in these fields and rising.

(**) And that is of course one of the primary jobs of royals, certainly within the past 60-100 years. - To kick down the door and charm everyone around, create awareness and if at all possible a positive atmosphere, for the businessmen to create contacts in.
So far I'd say Mary in particular, but also the continuing saga of her family has been instrumental in accomplishing that. It's my impression that in the minds of the average Australians the view of the DRF and Denmark is primarily positive. That alone is worth a lot of money.
Just as the view of Australia and the Australians is very positive here in DK.

[AnnaNotherThing]

They are in Canberra today and by the looks of the schedule it is only a 'day trip' (not a sleepover) because there is no evening dinner/event...My bet is J&V (and luggage) will go on a separate flight with nannies ahead to Melbourne, F&M will fly to Canberra, do their thing and after their last event at 4.30pm, they will fly on to Melbourne...meet the twins at the hotel room, have a sleep and do the Melbourne circuit...Imagine the logistics for this trip...PHEW!

[gerry]

Originally Posted by AnnaNotherThing

They are in Canberra today and by the looks of the schedule it is only a 'day trip' (not a sleepover) because there is no evening dinner/event...My bet is J&V (and luggage) will go on a separate flight with nannies ahead to Melbourne, F&M will fly to Canberra, do their thing and after their last event at 4.30pm, they will fly on to Melbourne...meet the twins at the hotel room, have a sleep and do the Melbourne circuit...Imagine the logistics for this trip...PHEW!

Recall the Crown Princess' words to the effect that her success is based on organisation! Every detail of such a trip must be mapped out or sometimes hammered out months in advance!

[JessRulz]

Mary and Frederik have arrived in Canberra - Mary is wearing her navy/cream floral Ralph Lauren dress from the Arlington visit last year with her much-repeated pink flower hat.

A few images from the audience with the Governor-General on Sunday.
The Governor-General's speech from the dinner on Sunday night.
Guest list from the dinner.

A few images from the arrival at Canberra Airport this morning, where Frederik and Mary were greeted by the Governor-General.
Image Gallery from Day Three - Canberra from Getty Images.
Article from The Canberra Times discussing the luncheon hosted by the Australian Prime Minister, and Frederik's speech at Parliament House.
Article from ABC News *** Article from The Australian.

[lancchick]

A Huffington Post article with nice pictures of the tour so far: Princess Mary & Prince Frederik Pose In Australia For Royal Tour (PHOTOS)

[Madame Royale]

Greeted by our ever stylish Governor-General at Fairbairn, the Crown Prince was escorted by Her Excellency to inspect a Guard of Honour. Mary followed with the appropriate personnel asigned to her.

Frederik stopped along the guard to bow his head, Mary also paused for a moment.

Mary looks quite lovely and this particular hat suits her very well, no matter how often she may have worn it.

[AnnaNotherThing]

Where are the photos? You guys are so much better at finding such things...I am always googling and coming up empty handed...

Ok, saw the photos from the link above...I think a hat is OK for a visiting royal from overseas BUT the hat on Senator Lundy looks positively OTT and awkward considering that GG-QB - the doyenne of style - isn't even wearing one...

[Frelinghighness]

Originally Posted by AnnaNotherThing

GG-QB - the doyenne of style ..

Doyenne of style? With that dopey bow on her suit?

[JessRulz]

"In this photo released by the Royal Australian Navy, Danish Crown Prince Frederik, center, poses with member from the 2nd Commando Regiment in Australia Monday, Nov. 21, 2011."

Image Gallery from Daylife.

[AnnaNotherThing]

Originally Posted by Frelinghighness

Doyenne of style? With that dopey bow on her suit?

http://www.gettyimages.com.au/detail...hoto/133881663

Ok ok excuse the bow but check out the animal print shoes...And I said Kate Lundy looked awful even without seeing the full shots and now that I seen it, she looks really bad...Red flying saucer red hat with white satin roses on the back, elastic shoes and colour blocking gone wrong...I think she was getting in the Dannebrog spirit with all the red and white but she looks ridiculous and uncomfortable...Sorry Kate but you must remember the KISS principle - Keep it simple, stupid!

[ashelen]

Prince Frederik Of Denmark Smiles During His Speech At A
fred look hilarious, I wonder why is this toung out?

[marfre]

Thanks to all those that have posted links and to Lady Rosie for the first hand report.
I am so enjoying this visit by Mary and Frederik, they are so naturally charming and friendly. The Danes can surely be proud of them.
Lovely to see the twins, so sweet.

[Lady Rosie]

Pleasure, Marfre. I was so excited and glad you all could share the moment. The twins are just adorable. AnnaNotherThing, are you able to see M & F in Melb.?
There are so many links and articles. Great to see.

[Daria_S]

This tour is turning out to be a great hit. I'm glad Mary and Frederik are making such a great impression. They're indeed very charming (I had a chance to see them while they visited New York City earlier in the past month), and are doing their country very proud. It must also be wonderful for them to have two of their children there. Thank you to all those who are providing links and personal experiences.

[Madame Royale]

Originally Posted by Frelinghighness

Doyenne of style? With that dopey bow on her suit?

Heaven forbid the G-G should wear a bow! That must most certainly mean she has no style whatsoever .lol.

Moving on..

Seeing Mary lightly mouth the words to Advance Australia Fair (our national anthem) was very sweet. Some habits die hard, but funnily enough, I doubt Mary would wish to forget or neglect such aspects of the life she lived before her marriage.

I'd imagine it's a comfort to her and remembering such words, those being ones which she'd have learnt from a very young age, would I'm sure remain close to her heart.

I'm glad Mary and Frederik are making such a great impression

Frederik and Mary's public image here in Australia has been nothing but positive since their engagement. Any magazine with Mary's face on the cover is a guaranteed sell and most Australian's, those who either know of them or are infact interested, think favourably of the couple and their young family. And for the rest of her life Mary will remain, in the minds of many people here, an Australian at heart. And that of course is not meant to in any way detract from the fact she is now, for all intents and purposes Danish. It is just an example of the pack mentality that is evident throughout most cultures.

Frederik seems to be rather awestruck by the reception they are recieving though. He made comment to a journalist on a news bullletin that they are both touched and find it hard to believe that they should receive so much interest from the public. I do believe they are both genuinely humbled by such expressions of goodwill and interest.

[Muhler]

Goodmorning.

First coverage from the Danish papers: Mary og Frederiks frokost indledt med noget usædvanlig tale - Politiken.dk

M&F attended a lunch at the Parliament in Canberra, as you probably know.
Jeanette Phillips who is aboriginee (spl?) (*) gave a cheerful speech saying: "First/just a nice word for Her Royal Highness. She has rekindled a hope for all young women in this land that there might be a charming prince somewhere out there, waiting for them".

Frederik was seated next to the PM, Julia Gillard.
Mary was seated between Minister of Trade, Craig Emerson and Minister for the Environment, Tony Burke.

(*) Is Jeanette Phillips a representative for the aboriginees or has she got another function?

I personally find it natural that Mary should sing along to the Australian antional anthem. QMII is known to sing along to the Swedish and Norwegian anthems. Not only is it natural from Mary's point of view, it's also good manners to honor your guests/hosts by singing their anthem, if you happen to know the words.
- The more cynical side of me approves of it as well. Good pr, = goodwill = money. (We really need a smug smiley )

[Binz]

Originally Posted by ashelen

Prince Frederik Of Denmark Smiles During His Speech At A
fred look hilarious, I wonder why is this toung out?

Might be because of this?

_________________________________

In a luncheon speech at Australia's Parliament House, opposition leader Tony Abbott congratulated the heir to the Danish throne on his many achievements including mastery of three foreign languages, service in every arm of the Danish military and running a marathon in only three hours and 22 minutes.

Frederik thanked Abbott for his kind words but lightheartedly pointed out that the senior conservative lawmaker had sold him short.
"My personal record in marathon is three hours and six minutes," Frederik said to the amusement of hundreds of guests. "But it's not about winning. It's about succeeding."

___________________________________

Australian leaders welcome Danish royal couple | SignOnSanDiego.com

[Madame Royale]

Originally Posted by Muhler

(*) Is Jeanette Phillips a representative for the aboriginees or has she got another function?

Good evening, Muhler.

Jeanette Phillips is an indigenous elder who performs the Welcome to Country for visiting dignitaries, both Australian and foreign.

The Ngunnawal people are the traditional custodians of the land upon which Parliament and indeed, Canberra, was built.

The Welcome to Country is a ceremony, generally small in length, where traditional owners, usually elders, welcome people to their land. This is considered to be a significant form recognition and is made through a formal process. How the ceremony is conducted varies greatly on the cultural practices of each region for each region observed (observes) different practices and traditions.

Indigenous Australian(s) is generally how Australia's first peoples are addressed.

*Aborigine