What is your opinion of Frederik and Mary

[Lena]

Originally Posted by UserDane

This has been claimed by many before you - and I still don't understand it. Her list of patronages (taken from www.kronprinsparret.dk)

Well, I´m sure 90% of the posters in these thread know more or less about the patronages, she has.The thing is, that it´s so damn hard to grip, what social things she really follows. Ok, she meets once or all two years with members of these organisations and the ppl they deal with, but she has no real field, she´s into. Except fashion...yes, I agree to support the danish industry is important. But when this is her main field of interest and engagement, then she should maybe think about wearing mainly (or even only) danish clothes and not the most obvious and known pieces of international designers.

[Mandy]

Originally Posted by norwegianne

Are we talking about the same German magazines that say that Haakon and Mette-Marit ignore Marius in favour of Ingrid Alexandra, because Marius (like other Norwegian children) walked in the parade on the national day, and Ingrid Alexandra, being a toddler, stays around the parents? Or are we talking about some more credible ones?

But maybe you're right, paca. Maybe the glamour of the wedding is starting to fade for the press? In addition, they've not gotten the proper mileage out of Alexandra and Joachim's divorce. (from a PR POV)

Are they the same rag mags that the Norwegian Palace threatened to sue because they were constantly talking about Ingrid Alexandra's hair and accusing her of having all sorts of diseases?

[Lena]

Originally Posted by norwegianne

Are we talking about the same German magazines that say that Haakon and Mette-Marit ignore Marius in favour of Ingrid Alexandra, because Marius (like other Norwegian children) walked in the parade on the national day, and Ingrid Alexandra, being a toddler, stays around the parents? Or are we talking about some more credible ones?

But maybe you're right, paca. Maybe the glamour of the wedding is starting to fade for the press? In addition, they've not gotten the proper mileage out of Alexandra and Joachim's divorce. (from a PR POV)

Yes, we talk about the same press and we all know, that they aren´t too fond of the truth, but prefer to sell the mags with big headlines. I know that, you know that.
But Mary was treated so far rather nice...and it´s HIGHLY unusual for them that all mags write in one week the same stuff (usually it´s in one week in one mag "Poor Maxima, great sorrows about little Amalia" and in an other mag "Maxima, happy like never before") I think in the rather quiet holiday break, they considered it as great opportunity, that Mary held her own New Years court (and has looked better in pics before than when she wore the dark blue dress...which doesn´t mean anything. Everyone can have a bad day)
Well, I´m getting off topic.

[UserDane]

Lena, she does wear quite a lot of Malene Birger and Julie Fagerholt (Larzen is the expert at spotting this!). I do not adhere to the doctrine that a CP should wear solely 'home-made' clothes.
What she is into; from what I have read and understood she feels strongly for the heart association and the health fund. I don't think it is to be expected that she at this time should be able to outline a strongly cast profile with her patronages which she has had for little more than a year. Her situation, timewise, is comparable to that of Letizia. I am not aware that Letizia has outlined her profile in Spanish society by now - nor do she, or Mary, have to IMO so soon after becoming mothers.

[Marengo]

You are right norwegianner, these german rags shouldnt be taken seriously on any account. The amount of nonsense they publish is really astonishing and it amazes me that people are actually bying these things (which have much bigger lies then american/english etc gossip magazines).

[UserDane]

If they are worse than the Danish Se&Hør, they are really bad!

[eireann]

Perhaps the Danes or people in Denmark can answer this question - we see that Mary has a respectable number of patronages...however, she appears to be most known for her support of the fashion industry. As has been discussed several times on this forum, the media does play a role in how we interpret the behaviour of the royals...eg most of the international people will probably only see the fashion related stuff. I think it´s great that she is highlighting Danish fashion and Denmark, but I´m wondering whether in Denmark she has also raised the profile of her other patronages...I think this is something non-Danes will not be aware of...just through lack of international media interest.

[Margrethe II]

Originally Posted by eireann

Perhaps the Danes or people in Denmark can answer this question - we see that Mary has a respectable number of patronages...however, she appears to be most known for her support of the fashion industry. As has been discussed several times on this forum, the media does play a role in how we interpret the behaviour of the royals...eg most of the international people will probably only see the fashion related stuff. I think it´s great that she is highlighting Danish fashion and Denmark, but I´m wondering whether in Denmark she has also raised the profile of her other patronages...I think this is something non-Danes will not be aware of...just through lack of international media interest.

I shall leave the broader aspect of the question for our Danish members ,but unfortunately it is the media who play up the Crown Princesses involvement with the fashion industry.

A possible explanation for this is that in our day and age, fashion is an icon in itself and when you take a public (let alone royal) figure (ie; Crown Princess Mary) and put it together with another (ie; Danish Fashion) the massess are sure to be interested and shall want to know and see more. This is how the magazines draw in the viewers, they know their market and they know what people want to see. This isnt to say that they aren't interested in Mary's other patronages and the work she puts into them, just that they wouldn't connect with , I guess, the younger demographic that endorses their products.

"MII"

[Danielane]

Originally Posted by Jaques Demolay

Danielane

I agree wholeheartedly but having a high degree, indicates a certain amount of drive, comittment and determination. Probably even a passion for achieving. There are many who have no degree, who have the same qualities but who do not have the degree to prove those characteristics.

However, if Mary was not intelligent in any way, she would not have made the grade I'm sure. She would have been a liability to the DRF, and Frederik as much as it may have pained him would not have I'm sure continued with the relationship.


Jaques D.

I agree with your points. THe only facts I was raising is some people have a high degree but are "intelligent" only in the subject of their degree. BEing in an university which prepares to highs degrees, I stated this a lot.

[Danielane]

Originally Posted by Ethel

A CV isn't evidence for her intelligence, you're right. Fortunately there's a lot of other evidence besides that, which show she is.

I never said the contrary. I just answered that a CV should be used as only evidence to one's intelligence.

[Lena]

Originally Posted by Margrethe II

I shall leave the broader aspect of the question for our Danish members ,but unfortunately it is the media who play up the Crown Princesses involvement with the fashion industry.

A possible explanation for this is that in our day and age, fashion is an icon in itself and when you take a public (let alone royal) figure (ie; Crown Princess Mary) and put it together with another (ie; Danish Fashion) the massess are sure to be interested and shall want to know and see more. This is how the magazines draw in the viewers, they know their market and they know what people want to see. This isnt to say that they aren't interested in Mary's other patronages and the work she puts into them, just that they wouldn't connect with , I guess, the younger demographic that endorses their products.

"MII"

Yes, you are right. And so we have to assume, that Misses Mary was tied up in ropes and was carried to the VOGUE photoshooting, and while the photographer (employed of the fashion industry and gossip rags) made the pics, Mary had a gun in her back :p
As it was said her before Mary is intelligent. I don´t doubt it, I even believe she´s really intelligent and knows where she wants to go. At the moment (or let´s be fair: before the baby was born...I dunno, how she will develop now. Her last choices for gala dresses were even quite matronly) she wants to be seen as fashion queen. This is the image she advertised. She has made these appointments with the magazines, she has chosen the fashion shows. I don´t think the other duties aren´t covered. Mary has the luck to live in small country, which covers her duties quite well. But the fashion things stood out, because she wanted it. As I´ve said I dunno, how this all will develop, but if you ask me, it was the worst start one could choose. And if we look at this thread (or the threads on Royal Blue or the CPEMB) then we all have to agree, that Mary is an extremely polarising Royal. People either dislike her or like her. There´s not much in between. At least not on the boards and in the press. I though guess the ordinary ppl in Denmark don´t care half as much as we do. They have gotten their wedding and the baby and will move on.

[paca]

Actually the one I was referring to was GALA and their articles in recent times were pretty decent. I read one about Monaco and for once they weren't blowing up all those sister war rumours and I don't think that they have published anything recently tha has caused them liabel suits. Of course that doesn't make them write the truth all the time, but they are less trashy then some others.

[princess olga]

Originally Posted by UserDane

This has been claimed by many before you - and I still don't understand it. Her list of patronages (taken from www.kronprinsparret.dk)

I think this list of her patronages is interesting because, as it turns out, it shows a clear and strong interest from Mary's part in mostly social and health issues. Just judging by the list, Mary is actually much more 'into' these humanitarian issues than she is into promoting Danish fashion.
Of course, that's contrary to the perception one gets from the media.
As Margrethe said, it is unfortunately the fashion part of this list that gets most media attention. That's understandable, as it's fashion, but it seems to me that Mary could use perhaps a better PR strategy to really leverage the media to highlight those other causes she is doing her best for.

Perhaps Mary is not (yet) as media-savvy, or, if you will, cynical, to milk the media to draw attention to the most unpopular of causes, as Diana was in her day. I am sure though that Mary will learn through trial and error how to use the media to draw attention to her other (other than fashion) interests in due course. If I were her, I'd ask sis-in-law Alexandra for some advice in this regard. Alexandra is very press savvy: she can go to the proverbial opening of an envelop and draw press attention to that!

Also, it is of course possible Mary is using these 'early' court years to figure out her niche.

What I'm wondering about in this sense is the role in this of her in-laws. I'm wondering whether for example Fred's (perceived?) low number of engagements might have something to do with the fact that his father, Henrik, blew up on him a few years ago when Fred accompanied his mother to some function.

If I remember correctly, that caused some sort of marital crisis between Margrethe and her husband, who complained that he felt left out and useless. So maybe Fred and MAry are taking things a bit easier because of this? Of course, on the other hand, nothing seems to stop Alexandra from having a full agenda of social engagements..

[Lena]

Originally Posted by paca

Actually the one I was referring to was GALA and their articles in recent times were pretty decent. I read one about Monaco and for once they weren't blowing up all those sister war rumours and I don't think that they have published anything recently tha has caused them liabel suits. Of course that doesn't make them write the truth all the time, but they are less trashy then some others.

I agree. GALA is one of the better mags and even much better than Scandinavian tabloids (I don´t say they are good, but better than these german "Frau mit Herz", "Neue Frau", "Frau Aktuell"-stuff)
But just like BUNTE they do observations. They judge things and write on them (IMO when you don´t have an interview, you can´t do anything else. Or how would you write an article on Royals without own opinions??). IMO the author of the article tried though to get the whole picture and to show both sides.
The article is online (http://www.gala.de/topstories/index.html?id=104088)
For a translation try:
http://babelfish.altavista.com/
Maybe I will do tomorrow a "real" translation and will post it in the news thread

[Princejohnny25]

Mary is just starting out and she is doing a very good job and is involved immensly in her work. It is Fred who is lazy. Mary has an excuse for not working as hard as others cause she is just starting but Fred needs to be more involved.

[Larzen]

Where does it say that Princesses should only do social stuff, its a very oldfashioned view IMO. In todays society women work in all stakes of life, then why should the princesses only concern them selves with health and art events? Its annoying to me as a woman when I see royal couples (I dont talk about F and M particularely, it also goes for presidents and first ladies) and the man sits on business meetings and the woman visits shelters and exhibition, especially when you consider which part of the couple has had to make a living in the real world, and for the recently married couples it is the woman.

Another possible reason the fashion events get so much attention could be that in 2005 she attend 13-14 official fashion related events and several fashionshows in private as well, how many events did she attend for the heart association??

Anyway I think Marys agenda is much more impressive than Frederiks, he is approching 40, he is going to be head of state, not Mary, this week his offical/public agenda consists of seeing two movies. Mary has had 2 years to get used to her new life wastly different from what she had before and has started to get herself involved in several good causes, Frederik has had almost 40 years

[Lena]

Originally Posted by princess olga

What I'm wondering about in this sense is the role in this of her in-laws. I'm wondering whether for example Fred's (perceived?) low number of engagements might have something to do with the fact that his father, Henrik, blew up on him a few years ago when Fred accompanied his mother to some function.

If I remember correctly, that caused some sort of marital crisis between Margrethe and her husband, who complained that he felt left out and useless. So maybe Fred and MAry are taking things a bit easier because of this? Of course, on the other hand, nothing seems to stop Alexandra from having a full agenda of social engagements..

An very interesting theory, you have here, princess olga.
But I would maybe look at it with an other view or would have a solution. Obviously Henrik had problems, that he is lower ranked than his son. I would say this applies for everyday duties (galas included). So maybe Frederik and Mary could let the old man the grand duties on the side of his wife (known for grand duties) and Mary & Frederik could search an own niche´ With showing their love so open, they have set the first stone for an image of an young couple as alternative to the more regal Queen & prince. Of course they have to fill out this role later, when Frederik is king, but for now they could be some kind alternative. I imagine something with children & sports (they seem to like both) and I imagine an real charity foundation, where they both actively get involved. So I don´t want just to nag, but want to make a real suggestion as well. They could go on with the low basic agenda, but add a real charity project. So all would profit. Maybe others have ideas as well (?)