Some of the HOLA interview. In no way is this an exact translation. Just me summarizing a bit
They met HOLA at 11am in the morning at Christian VIII Palace
They asked Joachim what threw his attention to Marie when they first met. "Do you have any doubt" answers Joachim and laughs. He said he was one of the few that spoke french so they sat together and talked. He was still married and notes that the romance began much later
what are the better qualities of your wife, she is popular in Denmark?
Joachim: Marie has the ability to impact the people's heart directly. She tries to put herself in other people's shoes. She is also pretty and photogenic, but once you talk to her you know that there is more to her.
Joachim about Nikolai and Felix: they are both good boys with great character. They are also older and can take care of the younger siblings and teach them new things. It helps the family unit
Joachim: Henrik also has a good character but he can be a bit stubborn. Athena has a strong attitude and when its her and the boys, its is her who governs . she is the viking of the family
They are both normal kids that we try to teach to behave when at events and to smile at the photographers. Its a normal upbringing, Henrik doesnt like being called prince at school.
why name them Henrik and Athena?
Marie: I have always like the name Henrik even before meeting Joachim. Athena is a very strong name that I have always like and has a beautiful history
How was growing up with the Queen as your mother? the public love her, can you talk on her personality?
Joachim:My mom became Queen when I was two, for me she was always the Queen and I became aware from a young age that she as a mother would not be at home all the time. She has always been interested in the government and even at the age of 31 she took her role seriously. Besides her role she is an artist that loves to draw, paint..My father plays the piano and writes, I grew up in an artsy home
What has been the biggest obstacles in becoming a public person?
Marie: that everyone has an opinion on you. Its difficult but I learned quickly that you cant please everyone and you shouldnt try to.
You left New York after the attacks of 9/11. Do you think it was destiny to meet Joachim after so many years away from Europe? Did you imagine being princess of Denmark?
Marie: I spent 6 years in the USA, it was a wonderful time. Im convinced it was destiny to meet Joachim as i had no plans to return to Europe. I loved my life in NY and had finally found the city for me, but with the economy going down my company suffered and I wasnt able to renew my visa. I was upset at the time but I thanked God because look who I met, Joachim. It was destiny, you can do alot of things but loive and destiny have a way to write things in in ones life
Marie: Nikolai and Felix are incredible. I thought it might be difficult. I come from a divorced household, my father married three times and being a stepmother is not easy. But it was very fluid from the start. the boys are very nice and incredible, curious and intelligent. When they visit I treat the same as Henrik and Felix.
Was is easy to become the second wife of Joachim?
Marie: Becoming the third princess consort, after princess Mary and the first wife of Joachim, was a challenge. It was difficult to form my role, and have patience,. I learned to find themes to focus on that were of interest to me and that I felt secure in
I learned from the Queen the sense of duty. She is a very intelligent woman, her and Joachim are like twins in talking about history
Almost 8 years of marriage what is the secret?
Marie: Love, respect, understanding, commitment, liberty and trust.
Why sell Shackenborg ?
Joachim: it was difficult to maintain financially. My time attending to the farms took up alot of time and interfered with my royal duties. For many years i tried to combine the two but it was hard. I loved it there but also it was complicated with Nikolai and Felix visiting. They has to attend two different schools, we wanted to be closer to them in Copenhagen.
Henrik's retirement and a possible abdication for the Queen:
Joachim: He is 81 years old, and after 50 years of service, although with a lot of energy still he wanted to focus more on his art, literature and music. To enjoy his last years in peace and calmness. He will still support the Queen just not in alot of official events, but still be a loving husband, present father and fun grandfather.
My mother has made it clear. she will stay on the throne. In case she is not in condition to reign for whatever circumstance, it will be the Crown Prince that takes on those duties. So she will remain on the throne, we have grown up with this tradition (in the royal family) and thus we agree with it.
She is in her 90's IIRC.
