Queen Margrethe II, Current Events Part 2: June 2020 -

[polyesco]

"The most important thing is that you grow sincerely with your country and become deeply connected to it. This has always been my ideal. "

This is how Her Majesty the Queen sounds in a new interview with Weekendavisen. In the interview, the Queen has spoken to editor-in-chief Martin Krasnik about, among other things, the war in Ukraine, her role as regent, the monarchy's legacy and her own legacy."
https://www.instagram.com/p/Cou53YSjny1/


This is the first time she gives a bigger interview in the newspaper she has read since then, we were called Berlingske Aftenavis and was delivered to Amalienborg with the afternoon mail delivery. Martin Krasnik has met Queen Margrethe for two conversations about the war in Ukraine, about Vladimir Putin - "I've never seen such cold eyes in my life" - about duty, responsibility and fate. And about what she wants to be remembered for
https://www.instagram.com/p/Cou6jpCsNvJ/

[Prinsara]

It's interesting how the Queen's impression seems to align with Joe Biden's "I don't think you have a soul" (which Putin seemingly took as a compliment).

[Archduchess Zelia]

Those pictures are magnificent! Very majestic.

[Muhler]

The most significant thing is how politically direct she is in this interview. it's unheard!

About Putin, whom she has met twice. the first impression wasn't positive:
"I recall thinking that he wasn't pleasant. I have never seen such cold eyes in my life."

Her impression of the ukrainian president Zelenskyj is quite different:
"by the grace of faith that particular man was president when the russians barged their way in. and they had not calculated with him, being able to do anything. but he could. and we saw during the first days that, hey, here is a person who is a part of his people and who is showing what that means.
it's deeply impressive. putin thought he could tear all of europe apart, but he made us unite. it has mattered that we all could experience a people who said: no way.
it's very strong (signal)."

-----------------

QMII will not hear a word of criticism for this. all the politicians are behind her. the press and the public opinion is behind her.
the ukrainians will praise her to high heaven - again - for this as well.

to me this is a confirmation of the Danish political will and desire to give the ukrainians whatever they want. i.e. more and even more advanced weapons including fighters.
it is also a clear indication of a general political stance in DK that any hope of negotiations with the russians is abandoned. and that ukraine must not be allowed to lose the war.
otherwise QMII would never speak so directly.

[Adda]

My admiration is endless. That is the kind of direct, no-nonsense approach I like to hear from a Head of State. In the autumn of her life, her star shines so brightly because it's clear there are so few other bright stars in the sky. What a remarkable woman.

The photographer knocked it out of the park as well, what beautiful photos! He should be hired for the next official portraits.

(..)

[victor1319]

Originally Posted by Muhler

About Putin, whom she has met twice. the first impression wasn't positive:
"I recall thinking that he wasn't pleasant. I have never seen such cold eyes in my life."

Her impression of the ukrainian president Zelenskyj is quite different:
"by the grace of faith"

Yeah, but how can we be sure, that the government of Denmark does not want her to say such stuff about the evil eyed Russian President and the piano player from the Ukraine?

I mean, Denmark has given its whole mobile artillery to the Ukraine - so they are obviously not expecting Russia to attack one of their Baltic islands - but they are hardcore posing nevertheless.

I don't want this thread to become a Ukraine hell - but Queen Daisy shows here as much knowledge of human beings as President Bush jr, the potato, who said the same thing about Putin... I am disappointed! But that is the whole point with Royals interfering into day-to-day politics: Their opinion will not be shared by everybody!

[iceflower]

Posts discussing a possible abdication have once more been moved to the correct thread: “The Future of the Danish Monarchy“.

[Muhler]

Originally Posted by victor1319

Yeah, but how can we be sure, that the government of Denmark does not want her to say such stuff about the evil eyed Russian President and the piano player from the Ukraine?

I mean, Denmark has given its whole mobile artillery to the Ukraine - so they are obviously not expecting Russia to attack one of their Baltic islands - but they are hardcore posing nevertheless.

I don't want this thread to become a Ukraine hell - but Queen Daisy shows here as much knowledge of human beings as President Bush jr, the potato, who said the same thing about Putin... I am disappointed! But that is the whole point with Royals interfering into day-to-day politics: Their opinion will not be shared by everybody!

i'm pretty sure the government and the parliament are not displeased with what QMII has said about ukraine and putin.

--------------

more from the interview:
https://www.bt.dk/royale/derfor-ser-...g-graenseloest

QMII is not watching the series: the crown.
and she obviously know enough about the series to never become a fan...

Q: does she watch the crown?
QMII: "no, i have omitted (watching) that.
i have known the family so well that it would irritate me endlessly to watch them say things, they would never say or speak in a way i don't think they would speak."

[hereditarytitles]

Originally Posted by Muhler

The most significant thing is how politically direct she is in this interview. it's unheard!

About Putin, whom she has met twice. the first impression wasn't positive:
"I recall thinking that he wasn't pleasant. I have never seen such cold eyes in my life."

Her impression of the ukrainian president Zelenskyj is quite different:
"by the grace of faith that particular man was president when the russians barged their way in. and they had not calculated with him, being able to do anything. but he could. and we saw during the first days that, hey, here is a person who is a part of his people and who is showing what that means.
it's deeply impressive. putin thought he could tear all of europe apart, but he made us unite. it has mattered that we all could experience a people who said: no way.
it's very strong (signal)."

-----------------

QMII will not hear a word of criticism for this. all the politicians are behind her. the press and the public opinion is behind her.
the ukrainians will praise her to high heaven - again - for this as well.

to me this is a confirmation of the Danish political will and desire to give the ukrainians whatever they want. i.e. more and even more advanced weapons including fighters.
it is also a clear indication of a general political stance in DK that any hope of negotiations with the russians is abandoned. and that ukraine must not be allowed to lose the war.
otherwise QMII would never speak so directly.

That is indeed amazing, and I am fully behind her statements. What surprises me that in Denmark a Queen can make such a speech, without government/politicians getting angry.
In comparison to Great Britian, the Netherlands and other European Royals I cannot imagine that they would be get away with telling their personal own political opinion. Aren't they all restricted to appear "neutral" and never make political statements in public?

[polyesco]

More from the interview:

talking about her admiration for queen Elizabeth
https://www.billedbladet.dk/kongelig...rligt-menneske

For Queen Margrethe, it means everything that the next generation in the royal house manages to understand the times they live in and to be close to the Danes.
https://www.billedbladet.dk/kongelig...nu-det-gaelder

In a brand new interview, Queen Margrethe emphasizes that it makes her feel safe that the crown prince will take over when she lets go of the reins.
https://www.billedbladet.dk/kongelig...r-frederik-der

[Muhler]

Originally Posted by hereditarytitles

That is indeed amazing, and I am fully behind her statements. What surprises me that in Denmark a Queen can make such a speech, without government/politicians getting angry.
In comparison to Great Britian, the Netherlands and other European Royals I cannot imagine that they would be get away with telling their personal own political opinion. Aren't they all restricted to appear "neutral" and never make political statements in public?

in principle, yes.

unless it is in line with the government's political stance. and very preferable also the political stance of a majority of the parliament. *

or, if it is in the interest of the state. **

-----

* in case of ukraine: QMII is in line with every single party in the parliament. that includes both the far right and the far left as well as a couple of tree-hugging pacifists.
the tribe is united.

** she gave one of her "now listen! granny is talking" speeches during the pandemic, cracking the whip against those who did not maintain social distancing or followed the guidelines. that had a far greater affect than any politician or health official talking.
that speech could perhaps also be seen as political and perhaps not have possible in other monarchies?

[kalnel]

What is prompting these interviews? With her surgery coming up, it's a little concerning that she might be "setting the record" straight, in case something happens to her.

[Muhler]

Originally Posted by kalnel

What is prompting these interviews? With her surgery coming up, it's a little concerning that she might be "setting the record" straight, in case something happens to her.

nothing unusual about that.
DRF-members are giving interviews every few months, especially up to major events.
- about half of these interviews are pretty uninteresting IMO.

this one is interesting because it's the first interview after the title-debacle and because QMII is asked intelligent questions - and answering them.

[kalnel]

That's good to hear. I don't think I've read of such an in-depth interview with her in a long time, so I wondering. Thanks for clarifying.

[Muhler]

https://www.bt.dk/royale/dronning-ma...s-anbefalinger
An interesting article in BT about some concerns regarding QMII's habit of smoking.

During the interview that is also mentioned in this thread, QMII smoke several cigarettes and the interviewer, Martin Krasnik, also tried one of her Greek cigarettes. (They are not mild!)
It was conducted over two sessions. The first took place five weeks pre-surgey (and there she smoked.) The second took place four weeks pre-surgery.
QMII said about smoking: "Now I'm so old it doesn't matter."

The doctors in DK up to a major surgery strongly advise the patient to stop smoking six week prior to the surgery and two-three months post surgery - in order to ensure the surgery to be successful.
Because smoking reduce your capacity to transport sufficient oxygen in the blood decreasing the chances of healing and recovering completely after the surgery.
In fact a retired doctor who specialized in back-surgery at Rigshospitalet said in the article that there are placed in DK where they don't (or perhaps rather avoid?) operating on people who smoke, simply because their chances of a successful outcome is worse compared to non-smokers.

-------------

Admittedly that is one of the things in the back of my mind, along with her age and the fact that she is hardly getting much exercise. She gave up her weekly ballet lessons some years ago.

PH, some years before he died also had a back surgery and that didn't go well. The type of operation was risky to stat with IIRC about 10 % would be just as bad off if not worse after the surgery. But it was stressed, I remember, that PH should exercise and that was something PH did not do that much. - Combined with him weighing too much.

[JR76]

Originally Posted by Muhler

PH, some years before he died also had a back surgery and that didn't go well. The type of operation was risky to stat with IIRC about 10 % would be just as bad off if not worse after the surgery. But it was stressed, I remember, that PH should exercise and that was something PH did not do that much. - Combined with him weighing too much.

As far as I know he did stop smoking.

[Blog Real]

Is the Queen's surgery already underway?

[Adda]

Originally Posted by Muhler

https://www.bt.dk/royale/dronning-ma...s-anbefalinger
An interesting article in BT about some concerns regarding QMII's habit of smoking.

During the interview that is also mentioned in this thread, QMII smoke several cigarettes and the interviewer, Martin Krasnik, also tried one of her Greek cigarettes. (They are not mild!)
It was conducted over two sessions. The first took place five weeks pre-surgey (and there she smoked.) The second took place four weeks pre-surgery.
QMII said about smoking: "Now I'm so old it doesn't matter."

But it does matter to us, Daisy!!!! Why does my Queen want to kill me of a heart attack!?

The surgery should take place soon, I believe. Praying for a miraculously wonderful recovery.

[Muhler]

Originally Posted by JR76

As far as I know he did stop smoking.

Thanks. Couldn't remember.

Originally Posted by Blog Real

Is the Queen's surgery already underway?

Within the next couple of weeks or so, I believe.
I guess that one day they will send out a press release informing that the surgery has taken place. - And only then may we perhaps be told what kind of surgery it is.

[Prinsara]

Originally Posted by Elektra

Breaking news :Queen Margrethe to undergo surgery for her back problems.

https://www.kongehuset.dk/en/news/hm...ndergo-surgery

Did they change the date?