Queen Margrethe's 70th Birthday Celebrations: March-June 2010

[mybags]

Did Queen Paola attend?

[DNF] Fotoarchief Denieuwsfoto Town

[ashelen]

i was wondering if the Queen got a more intimate party just with her grandkids and very clos family?????

[Saragli]

I've been away busy with work and missed out on all this splendor. Spent that last hour drooling over the magnificence of it all. The Danes sure know how to put on a show. Topping birthday! QMII was glorious on all nights.

[UserDane]

Originally Posted by rosana

That was really disgusting and unnecessary. There are people starving out there. Have a little respect, please.
Of course, the DRF are free to throw the Danish people money to sea. In a certain way, they do.

Yes, and they are unfortunately still starving when presidents travel the world with security that cost the budget of a minor state, when hugely costly military equipment is tested etc. etc. - and on a much smaller scale when a queen is celebrated. That's the way of the world.
But if it upsets you so much to see that the queen actually has the right of disposal of her own money - don't follow the events!

[Jacknch]

I don't think the distribution of wealth (or lack of it) throughout the world has anything to do with the celebrations of a monarch's 70th birthday. It is a political, economical, trade and banking issue, neither affected by nor related to a state occassion/celebration (monarchical or republican). The amount of aid distributions from countries such as Denmark can of course always benefit from being increased, but at least they are being made and Denmark does what it can to help out the various situations abroad. And so in this instance, a couple of days national celebrations once every ten years cannot be such a dreadful thing.

[Lumutqueen]

Originally Posted by mybags

Did Queen Paola attend?

[DNF] Fotoarchief Denieuwsfoto Town

Thats quite interesting. It was said that no Belgian or Spanish royals attended the events, but that looks exactly like Queen Paolo. It's a shame she didn't attend the evening events.

Originally Posted by rosana

That was really disgusting and unnecessary. There are people starving out there. Have a little respect, please.
Of course, the DRF are free to throw the Danish people money to sea. In a certain way, they do.

I don't know how you can describe a comment as disgusting but oh well.
This is your opinion, and seeing as you don't live in Denmark I don't see what your problem is with the Danes celebrating their Queen's 70th birthday.
They have been no complaints from them, they seem to be living fine and not starving, so why complain for them?

[rosana]

I think the Danish just don´t care about this. It´s hard to believe ALL OF THEM are interested in such superficial matters. And please, do not tell me what to do, because I follow everything that happens in the world, even a war, as much as i hate it.

The comparison between a president´s security and this celebrations in quite naive, so i won´t comment any further.

I don´t intend to start a discussion, so please do not defend yourselves, this is not an attack. I have the right to say this is obscene as well as you have the right to take delight in events you can just watch from far away and only dream about. If i´m not entitled to express my opinion, then i´m in the wrong forum.

I never said a queen should not celebrate her birthday (if you read well); I never said starvation is a problem in Denmark (please do not assume things I didn´t write); I only said a dinner would have done it. And that this tour of celebrations was just OBSCENE.

And yes, a comment about throwing their incomes to the sea is offensive and disgusting. And i stick to my point.
Some people need to take their eyes out to the screen and see the real world. and grow up.

[mayzie]

Thank you for the translation and excellent discussions. I am enjoying it very much. I must have missed the video/photo where CP Mary goes up to give CP a kiss. Can someone please attach the link? Thanks!

[Dierna23]

Originally Posted by rosana

That was really disgusting and unnecessary. There are people starving out there. Have a little respect, please.
Of course, the DRF are free to throw the Danish people money to sea. In a certain way, they do.

There's much more money squandered in the whole wide world than we ever will be aware of and perhaps the costs for this Birthday Celebrations would look like peanuts compared with it.

A 70th Birthday is a little milestone in ones life. When my grandfather turned 80 he celebrated it for 3 days as well. If the Danish Queen does the same and the Danes tolerate it, then I see absolutely no problem with it. With all due respect.

[marymaxima]

Originally Posted by mayzie

Thank you for the translation and excellent discussions. I am enjoying it very much. I must have missed the video/photo where CP Mary goes up to give CP a kiss. Can someone please attach the link? Thanks!

Kronprinsen fik smækkys af Mary - TV 2 Nyhederne

http://troonopvolgers.web-log.nl/tro.../lieeeff_3.jpg

[Duke of Marmalade]

I really dont get the critiszism about the festivities. Denmark is a small country with the vast majority of people obviously feeling close or very much loyal to their monarch.

These festivities are not behind closed doors, keeping the public out, but rather for the public and including them. Pics like those from the balcony speak volumes about the relationship between the Danish Queen and the Danes that support a monarchy that is very hands on and close to the people, rather than the Brits who do their parties "in private" (Charles' 60th) because they are afraid of the public complaining or the Spanish who almost offically don't celebrate at all because they fear being kicked out by the jealous public.

Of course the DRF can consider themselves lucky about the way it is but life isnt fair. Its great that they do such festivities, people who are asking to abolish such traditions or consider it a waste of money should rather ask for the whole institution to be abolished, that would be more consistent.

I am sure the Danes will go on as they do, with Frederik enjoying a similar popularity as his mother.

[MARG]

Originally Posted by rosana

That was really disgusting and unnecessary. There are people starving out there. Have a little respect, please.
Of course, the DRF are free to throw the Danish people money to sea. In a certain way, they do.

And by this we can say to each their own, therefore you are obviously donating all your surplus income left after paying for the necessities of life.

How sad is it that with the entire Danish nation celebrating their much beloved Queen's 70th birthday and participating in a celebration of life and joy, all you see are starving millions. Man does not live by bread alone . . . . . .

If of thy mortal goods thou art bereft,
And from thy slender store two loaves alone to thee are left,
Sell one, and with the dole
Buy hyacinths to feed thy soul.
- Moslih Eddin (Muslih-un-Din) Saadi (Sadi),
Gulistan (Garden of Roses)

Next time you have a special day, a birthday, anniversary, wedding, etc. skip the celebration and write a cheque and enjoy!

To each their own and, to be honest, I have to ask, what on earth are you doing on a forum like this when it celebrates that which so offends you?

[Muhler]

I know this is a delicate question - but - was Alexandra there too? I thought she has still a good relationship with her ex-mother in law?

No, Alexandra was not present.

The guests were mainly other royals, family, common friends of the Regent Couple and in particular personal friends of Prince Henrik.
A couple of government representatives were also present. Like the PM, Lars Løkke, who actually delivered a good speech.

And Caroline Mathilde & Eliza, you are most welcome

[mayzie]

Thank you so much marymaxima!

[Muhler]

Excerpts from a very long interview of Queen Margrethe in Billed Bladet #14, 2010.
Interviewer: Annelise Weimann.

A very good, honest and surprisingly open interview with QMII.
A number of very relevant questions and she can certainly answer them!
This interview says more about her character, feelings and personality than the answers in themselves.

Q: You are an elequent woman and you can sometimes appear stern. Are you aware of that yourself?
QMII: "Hmm, that's probably correct. That's what I call "Auntie Queen". She laughs loudly before continuing: "I do sometimes see the rearside of the medal/facade, than what you are used to seeing and then it can be difficult not to mention it".
Q: Are there anyone who says something about that to you?
QMII: "The family sometimes say something. But I can also sense on people's reactions that, things went perhaps it bit too fast. And when things are a bit too fast for yourself, you can get a bit impatient with other people, even if you don't want to. But I try not to bite the head off people".

Q: Should a royal family also be a rolemodel in regards to whom they associate?
QMII: "Where do want to go with that"?
Q: I think about your daughter-in-law, who was recently photographed at a dinner with Rigmor Zobel?
QMII: "I don't think she knew that it was a dinner where it was possble to be photographed. And it's after all not she, who made the guestlist".
Q: But the Crown Princess had an invitation, which she had accepted?
QMII: "Perhaps she didn't know who else were invited. We don't know that, do we"?
Q: Have you talked with your daughter-in-law about it?
QMII: "Of course we have talked about it".
Q: Does the Crown Princess regret she went to that dinner?
QMII: "I'm not inclined to talk about that. It's really nobodys business how we deal with a situation within the family". (QMII is here using a less diplomatic word, "rager", which clearly signals that this debate ends here)!!!

Q: But will you make a smooth transition, so that the CP couple will take over more and more tasks?
QMII: "There are certain things that you from a constitutional point of view cannot leave to someone else, at least not as long as you are capable of doing it yourself".
Q: But there are surely many things the CP couple could take over from you?
QMII: "There are quite a few things you could leave to the younger. But there are also quite a few things that may appear to be strenous but which you actually have to do and not leave that to someone else. Unless you are ill, as I was the other day, so that the Crown Prince had to deal with both the State Council and a parade". (The Watch Parade, see summary in the Frederik thead).

Q: There is hardly any doubt that you too were surprised over the divorce between Prince Joachim and Princess Alexandra?
QMII: "Oh dear, yes. That's hardly something you dream about".
Q: Was it Prince Joachim who told you?
QMII: "Yes, he told me".
Q: Is it extra sad when it happens in a royal family?
QMII: "I always think that in nine out of ten cases a divorce is wrong. There is something that didn't turn out as you hoped. When people get married it's because they believe it will last. And that has been the case with them (J&A) as well, no doubt. So you have to find joy in realising that when it does go wrong, they are able to handle it in a sensible way. Then the rest of us have nothing else to do than also to aproach it in a sensible manner".
Q: Do you think it is worse when a divorce occour in a royal family? Should a royal family be a rolemodel for others?
QMII: "That has got something to do with you thinking: What a huge commotion this will cause in the entire press. It's also the attention you think about. But then we have to grit our teeth and take in it's stride".
Q: Do you think there was a lot of trouble/stir, while it lasted?
QMII: "Do you perhaps think there was too little"? The Queen almost shout the sentence. - "Or would you have preferred to cause a little more? No, sorry. I think that was Auntie Queen, talking here. But we have moved on, of course we have. And that is very much because the two persons have handled it so maturely and well".
Q: But it was a big surprise - for you too?
QMII: "Of course it was. But it was also because they, despite everything, maintained a facade, before it all shattered. I very much appreciate that they could. Do it so discreetly".

Q: You speak very commendable about the Crown Princess. Do you think she is doing well?
QMII: "Yes, I simply do".
Q: And Princess Marie?
QMII: "She hasn't been here for so long yet, but it'll come. I believe that just the fact that she is working hard to learn to speak Danish is really, really good. So she'll learn alright". (Her job as a member of the DRF).
Q: Do you have a close relationship to both you daughters-in-law?
QMII: "Yes, but to the Crown Princess in particular. She has been here longer, so I've had more time to look at her. And she is closer for the simple reason that when we live at Fredensborg, we almost live next door to one another".
Q: But you don't bump in to each other on a daily basis?
QMII: "Not all the time, but it does happen when I go to Fredensborg, usually on Thursdays when I live in the city. If it's convenient I often have lunch with the CP couple or one of them. That's very cosy and I get a glimpse of the kids as well".

Q: You have five lovely grandchildren. Do you feel a particular attachment to Prince Christian who will one day succeed you on the throne?
QMII: "Yes, so I do. It's a strange thing but there is something. That about the oldest son of the oldest son. It means something, it's something special. I am endlessly fond of all my five grandchildren. They each have their own character and each their charming sides. But there is something about little Prince Christian".
Q: Do you take more care of Christian than the other grandchildren?
QMII: "He is geographically easier to bump into than the others because he lives right next door, when we are at Fredensborg. But there is something emotionally too".
Q: He really is a sweet boy.
QMII: "Yes, all grandmothers think they are, - virtually all".
Q: Do you see Prince Christian regularly?
QMII: "Relatively regularly. I must admit that we don't see our grandchildren nearly as often as we had imagined. Both they and we are a little too busy with all sorts of things, and then suddenly, vupti, time goes by".
Q: What type of boy is Christian? Is he shy?
QMII: "I won't call him shy. But he doesn't burn off all his powder at once like Isabella does, for better or worse. But he is a lovely kid, he sure is. He spoke well and clearly very early on, and when children can speak well and clearly pretty early on, it leads to more things tagging along. They can communicate with others and recieve communication. And then he has a thing I find so funny, something his father also had. He has fantastically well developed motor skills, from very early on. He has a lot of strength but he is in control of his own body. He can coordinate and so could the Crown Princes too from very early on. In that way he resemble his father".
Q: How is Princess Isabella like?
QMII: "Here the other day I said to my daughter-in-law and son: You need no dachshund. You have Isabella". The Queen laughs aloud.
Q: They were hopefully not offended?
QMII: "No, they laughed. Isabella will become a handful I think. It's typical that the slightly younger would like to follow suit with the bigger one. There are a lot of frustrations before you can express yourself just as well and move just as well as the bigger one. I can sense that she is already cathching up. Now she can already both talk and move. I haven't experienced the big rows (recently) nearly as much as I did, when she was a little younger. She doesn't get frustrated because now she can follow suit. She let us know what she want's whithout having to wail her head off".
Q: "How will you describe little Prince Henrik?
QMII: "He is still very little, but he is a very, very lovely child. But I haven't seen him so much yet".
Q: "Have you any sense of his character?
QMII: "Not yet".
Q: "The two big ones, Prince Nikolai and Prince Felix, are doing well?
QMII: "They are dong so well. They are doing well at school, they are sweet, it's a pleasure to be with them".

The entire interview is interesting, but I've selected the 25% or so I found most telling.
She's a little bit tricky to translate. Frederik is very much his mother's son in that respect.

[memoo]

Thank you to all of those who posted pictures! Everyone looked very happy and very beautiful! I am so delighted to see Crown Princess Victoria and Daniel looking so happy together! I cannot wait for their nupitals in June!

[Melibea]

The videos in Tv2 have dissapeared, anyone can find the one where Marie is arriving to the opera? Thanks

[Maura724]

Thanks for the interview translation, Muhler - it was very interesting. You wrote that the Queen was difficult to translate. Why?

[LadyFinn]

Hola! - Los futuros reyes de Europa se reúnen en la gran noche de Margarita de Dinamarca
La reina Margarita de Dinamarca celebra su 70 cumpleaños - Monarquías - - Diez Minutos
Photos:
Firandet i bilder « Lindas kungliga rapport - SVT

[Ursula]

The interview was interesting. Thank you for the translation. It never ceases to shock me how personal interviewers seem to feel that they can get with their questions. As if the family is not entitled to some privacy.

As for the money spent on the celebrations, that is the business of the Danish people. Any other opinion on the matter is irrelevant (including mine).