Ellen Connolly
March 1, 2005
Sydney Morning Herald
Now you see her, now you don't ...
She swanned in at midday. A wave here, a smile there. And then she was gone. Again.
For the crowd of city workers who had gathered to see Princess Mary yesterday, they had less than five minutes to catch a glimpse of the woman who has been hailed as the next "people's princess".
Such brief encounters with the public on the couple's first Australian royal tour attracted harsh criticism from the Danish media, who are disappointed that Mary is not interacting with the public. "Meet the people, Mary. Go public," screamed the Danish newspaper Ekstra Bladet yesterday.
Its royal correspondent, Anne-Mette Gregers, said the Danish media was despairing at the blandness of the tour thus far. She said it comprised mainly private functions, which prevented Australians - who were paying for the trip - to get close to the princess.
At the couple's first public appearance on Sunday, she said the public needed binoculars to watch them sailing on Sydney Harbour. By the time the yacht race was over, and the royals sailed closer to the shore, many of the onlookers had already left.
"Diana was known as the people's princess but this is more like Mary's private vacation with friends than a public visit," Ms Gregers said.
At a lunch hosted by the Premier, Bob Carr, and attended by 140 guests yesterday, the princess did not say much - she left that to her husband - but she looked sensational.
Tall and pale, she wore a white knee-length Chanel dress and stilettos. A deep-purple belt showed off her tiny waist, dispelling any speculation she could be pregnant. Her husband appeared nervous as he made a brief speech, thanking Sydneysiders for their warm welcome. "Already we've been very touched and perhaps a little surprised by the incredibly warm reception we've received," he said.
The couple left after 90 minutes, stopping briefly on the steps of Governor Macquarie Tower to wave to the crowd of about 300 before they were driven off, sirens blazing on the police escort. They returned to their hotel to relax for the day.
Danish journalist, Kirsten Balslev, said it was vastly different to Denmark where Mary openly greets crowds of people, accepting bouquets of flowers and shaking hands.
"In Denmark she gives her hand to everyone. People wait for hours for her. They cry 'Mary, Mary'. She smiles and give them her hands. Sometimes she disappears into the crowd because she dive in to reach their hands. You do not see that here.
"You people say Australia is so laid-back but there are police and security everywhere."
Alissa Nott, 19, a legal secretary, who waited to catch sight of the princess during her lunchbreak yesterday, said she did not mind that Mary stayed away from the crowd.
"It's just really exciting that she's here. She doesn't really have time to shake people's hands. It's nice just to have her wave."
Prince Frederik will compete in the Rolex Farr40 World Championship on Sydney harbour today while Mary takes a day off.
