[Lasse Pedersen]

Originally Posted by pollyemma

I agree. I think it gives the queen some 'cover.'
though i'm not aware of the queen's message ever having been controversial. is that right?

Well, many a Dane was quite upset by Her Majesty's New Year's Speech of 1984, two years before I was born.

Her Majesty said:
"Ikke blot den materielle nød, mangelen på det nødvendigste, er vi forskånet for her i Danmark. Hos os hersker også den fred, det frie politiske liv og de ordnede samfundsforhold, som gør vort land til en eftertragtet havn for mange. Med vidt forskellig baggrund kommer flygtninge hertil, kvæstede somme tider både på sind og krop. Vi tager imod dem og er nok også lidt stolte over, at de har valgt netop vort lille paradis, men når vi ser dem stå famlende over for vort livsmønster og vort sprog, så kniber det alt for hurtigt med gæstfriheden, og skuffelsen melder sig på begge sider.
Det er der også andre, der har måttet føle, nemlig gæstearbejderne og deres familier. Nu er tiderne lidt mindre gunstige, end da mange af dem kom hertil, og det går ofte hårdere ud over dem, der igennem generationer er indlevet i den danske hverdag og derfor har sværere ved at omstille sig. Så kommer vi med vores `danske humor' og små, dumsmarte bemærkninger. Så møder vi dem med kølighed, og så er der ikke langt til chikane og grovere metoder - det kan vi ikke være bekendt."

In English (translation by yours truly):
"Here in Denmark, we are spared material needs and the lack of necessities. Amongst us, the peace, the free, political life and the orderly social conditions, which make our country a wanted harbour for many, prevail. With widely different backgrounds, refugees come here, bruised some times on both mind and body. We receive them, and are probably also a little proud that they have chosen our little paradise of all places, but when we see them fumbling at our pattern of life and our language, hospitality is much too soon scarce, and disappointment shows on both sides.
Others have also felt this, that is the guest workers and their families. Now, times are a little less propitious than when many of them arrived here, and often, this is harder on those who through generations have familiarised themselves with Danish everyday life, and therefore have a harder time adjusting themselves. Then, we come with our 'Danish humour' and little, stupid remarks. Then, we meet them with chill, and then, harassment and crueller methods - that is not good enough!"

NOTE: The word, 'dumsmart', which I have translated into 'stupid', was invented by the Queen for this occasion. It was soon adopted into the official, Danish vocabulary.

This speech, of which the above is an excerpt, made many a Dane quite angry. Many felt that Her Majesty was being political. Personally, I believe that Her Majesty was being ethical. Moreover, Her Majesty can be political, as long as she is not party-political. But of course, I was not even thought of by my parents, and did not experience the hysteria I imagine that Ekstra Bladet could stir up! But what do you think? Did Her Majesty exceed her powers?

/Lasse Pedersen