Crown Prince Frederik and Mary Donaldson, Current Events 1: September 2002 - May 2004

[Josefine]

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[Julia]

Thank you, Josefine, for all of the lovely pics!

Is Fred wearing velvet trousers?

Sure looks like velvet. remember all the other horriable pants he has worn before?

[Josefine]

http://story.news.yahoo.com

NEW DELHI, India - Most first-time visitors to India make a point of seeing its main tourist attraction, the Taj Mahal — a world-famous monument to love.

But Denmark's Crown Prince Frederik left his Australian girlfriend, Mary Donaldson, behind during his six-day India tour and was too busy promoting Danish business to visit the Taj.

He drove through dusty villages on Monday to reach the 6-year-old Danisco factory outside the Indian capital to officiate at a groundbreaking ceremony for a new research and development laboratory. Danisco makes food flavorings and other ingredients.

Frederik, 34, said India is behind China in getting foreign direct investment from his country, and blamed the slow-moving Indian bureaucracy.

The prince wore a tie printed with white elephants, considered symbols of luck in India.

"It's not a coincidence that I'm wearing it in India," said the prince. "In my country, the symbol of a white elephant is very important and we even have a much revered 400-year-old Order of the White Elephant."

Frederik planned to do more Danish business promotion in India's financial capital, Bombay, then travel to the desert state of Rajasthan for relaxation.

"Next time I come here, I would like to go down to South India, trek in the lower Himalayas and see the Taj," he said.

But he didn't say whether he'd see the monument to romance with someone he loves — offering Danes no clue whether there will soon be a royal wedding.

[Julia]

From polfoto.dk

Mary at one of the 3 weddings they attended this past summer/autumn....

Very cute....Fred and Nikolai....

Fred in his sailing togs...

[Jacqueline]

Hi Julia! Thanks for the photos. I saw this photo on Yahoo News earlier today, so I thought that I would post it with the others. :)

[Julia]

Hi Jacqueline!

Thanks for the photo! I have to say again; why did she wear that dress???!

[Jacqueline]

Danish crown prince on a ribbon-cutting spree

Shobita Dhar
New Delhi, February 3: HE’s no Hamlet. And though this Prince of Denmark wouldn’t give the more famous British royals a run for their money, he still has a lot in common with them: he’s charming, articulate, aloof and in the news every time he gets a new girlfriend.

But Crown Prince Frederick of Denmark is in India for a far less glamourous reason. He is on a six-day visit (his first ever to this country) to inaugurate a few Danish factories here.

On Monday, Frederick drove down to Sohna through typical Haryana ruralscape, to lay the foundation stone of an Applications Laboratory at the Danisco factory there.

Danisco is a Danish edible flavours major in the world, and the factory in Sohna was established in 1998. In addition to the lab, Danisco is also going to double the size of the existing factory, at an adjacent site. On his visit, the Prince is being accompanied by Denmark Deputy Prime Minister Bendt Bendsten.

Prince Frederick arrived at the function wearing a tie with motifs of white elephants. ‘‘It’s not a coincidence that I’m wearing this in India,’’ he said. ‘‘This is an old tie. In my country, the symbol of a white elephant is very important and we even have a much revered 400-year-old Order of White Elephant,’’ he says.

Apart from Delhi, he will be visiting Mumbai and Rajasthan as well. While the Mumbai visit is only for official purposes, ‘‘Rajasthan is more for relaxation.’’ On a serious note, the royal adds that he would like to gather his thoughts here and put them down on paper.

Due to time constraints, Frederick is skipping what’s usually every tourist’s must-see spot: the Taj Mahal. ‘‘Next time I come here, I would like to go down to South India, trek in the lower Himalayas and see da Taaj as well,’’ he says, living up to his reputation for being adventurous.

Clearly, there’s more to this prince than his love life. Frederick has devoted a few years to military service in his country and even served as a diplomat. He was the first member of the Danish royal family to get an academic degree.

The 35-year-old is currently dating an Australian real-estate agent whom he met during the Sydney Olympics. They are reportedly engaged. Talking about India, the Prince says: ‘‘I was told that there’ll be a lot of people here and I find that’s true. Plus, I also see a lot of automobiles.’’

Real estate agents apart, Frederick also has a weakness for Indian curry. ‘‘It’s very popular with Danes people — and so is Indian spirituality,’’ says Prince Frederick.

Article From: Delhi Newsline

[Jacqueline]

For Denmark's crown prince, the hard music is all right
Thu Feb 6, 8:02 AM ET

COPENHAGEN, Denmark - As a child, Crown Prince Frederik considered piano lessons a "duty and torture." As an adult, the heir to Denmark's throne wouldn't mind being on stage "strumming the strings."

In an interview published Thursday by the Danish youth magazine Gaffa, the 34-year-old future king recalled his younger days when the Danish summer was warm, the beer was cold and the tunes were on fire.

"We were this group of friends who had this wild summer where there was a great groove," he told the magazine about going to concerts and being with university classmates.

"I believe there is probably a small rock 'n' roller in me who would like to stand on a stage, strumming the strings, getting a kick out of standing up there," Frederik told the free monthly.

After the concerts, "one had to have an even better party with a couple beers and some stronger booze."

As a child, he and his younger brother, Prince Joachim, listened to classic music and had private piano lessons at the palace.

The lessons "were duty and torture," said Frederik, who currently is touring India to promote Danish business.

But an appreciation for music stuck, including the decidedly more up-tempo stylings of rock, which "is of course noisy, but it's true and that appeals to me."

(jo-mpm)

Article From: Yahoo News

Completey Off Topic: When I found this article there was another beneath it stating that Denmark was willing to offer troops and a submarine in a possible U.S.-led attack on Iraq if it is backed by a UN resolution.....just thought that it was interesting and that I would mention it.

[Jacqueline]

Business
Denmark offers cutting edge technologies

New Delhi, Feb 3. (PTI): Denmark today offered India cutting edge technologies and know-how in the area of alternative energies, healthcare and pharmaceuticals.

"Denmark can offer cutting edge technologies, know-how in the area of alternative energies and best of expertise in healthcare and pharmaceuticals," Crown Prince of Denmark Frederik said at the Indo-Danish Business Conference organised by CII here.

He said a growing number of Danish companies were setting up bases in India and there was huge potential for growth between the two countries.

Chairman, Confederation of Danish Industries, Johan Schroder said Danish exports to India amounted to 107 million euros while the total Danish imports from India stood at 211 million euros.

Article From: The Hindu

[Jacqueline]

Danish Prince Opens Tellabs Lab

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NEW DELHI, India -- Tellabs' Indian joint-venture partner, Fibcom India Limited, today inaugurated a new development centre for managed transport solutions and optical transport systems in New Delhi, India. The new development centre will help Tellabs enhance its SDH (synchronous digital hierarchy) and DWDM (dense wavelength division multiplexing) systems that help carriers cost-effectively collect and consolidate voice and data traffic in metro and regional areas throughout Europe, Middle East and Africa, Asia-Pacific and Latin America.

"Expanding development capabilities will speed time-to-market for next-generation SDH solutions," said Peter Viereck, vice president and general manager of Tellabs Denmark. "We are committed to growing our international business by meeting the evolving needs of our customers."

Located in the heart of New Delhi's technology community, Fibcom will work hand-in-hand with Tellabs' development centre in Denmark.

The development centre was inaugurated today by His Royal Highness Crown Prince Frederik of Denmark at a ceremony attended by Indian and Danish officials.

Tellabs Inc.

Article From: Light Reading

[Jacqueline]

Danisco India To Set Up Research Lab In Haryana

Our Corporate Bureau

New Delhi, February 4: Danisco India, a wholly-subsidiary of $3.5 billion international flavours and edible ingredients major Danisco, is building a world class applications laboratory for research and development at its existing manufacturing facility in Sohna, Haryana. The company has also decided to double the size of its factory after more than two years of operations in India during which it has grown at over 50 per cent on a year-on-year basis.

Denmark’s Crown Prince Frederik and deputy prime minister Bendt Bendtsen laid the foundation stone for both the facilities during a private visit to India. Danisco India’s managing director Neil Prasad said the company today has over 250 customers including most of the international majors present in the region.

Article From: The Financial Express

[Jacqueline]

Danish prince declares his love
From correspondents in Denmark
February 08, 2003

DANISH Crown Prince Fredrik has confirmed what most in this Scandinavian nation of 5.3 million thought to be true: He's in love with his Australian girlfriend.

In an interview with Denmark's TV2 that will air on Sunday, Fredrik, 34, confirmed his romance with Mary Donaldson, but didn't say if an engagement is planned.

Frederik has dated Donaldson, 31, since mid-2000. Last month the first photos of them kissing in public sparked national speculation of a royal wedding.

When asked if his relationship with Donaldson was serious, he smiled and said: "I certainly would say so."

The interview was taped yesterday in Bombay, where the heir to the throne of Europe's oldest ruling monarchy is promoting Danish business. He is due back in Denmark on Monday.

Article From: New Interactive, Australia

[Jacqueline]

Something about Mary

By Rachel Browne
February 9 2003
The Sun-Herald

The heir to the throne of Denmark, Crown Prince Frederik, has broken his silence about his relationship with Australian real estate agent Mary Donaldson.

Prince Frederik told of his love for his Australian girlfriend in a television interview taped on Thursday.

In the interview with Denmark's TV2, which will air in Europe today, the 34-year-old prince confirmed his romance with Ms Donaldson, 31, but would not say whether an engagement was planned.

The relationship, which sparked when the couple met in Sydney during the 2000 Olympics, has kept Denmark enthralled with growing speculation that they will wed.

When asked if his relationship with Ms Donaldson was serious, the prince smiled and said: "I would certainly sayso."

Prince Frederik has been nicknamed "the playboy prince" in Denmark for his romances with models and pop stars.

The interview was taped on Thursday in Mumbai, where the heir to the throne of Europe's oldest ruling monarchy is promoting Danish business.

He left for Mumbai after spending two weeks with Ms Donaldson in Tasmania, where she was born and raised before moving to Sydney where she worked as an agent for Belle Property.

Prince Frederik was in Tasmania to compete in the international sailing competition, the Dragon World Championships, while Ms Donaldson caught up with her Hobart-based sisters Patricia Woods, a nurse, and Jane Stephens, who works at a West Hobart pharmacy. Her father, former University of Tasmania professor John Donaldson, is based in Oxford in Britain, where he lives with his second wife, crime novelist Susan Moody.

Ms Donaldson and Prince Frederik had locals abuzz when they visited some of Hobart's most fashionable night spots and galleries in Salamanca.

The couple also went to Coles Bay to stay at the exclusive Freycinet Lodge during their final days in the island state.

The Tasmanian trip marks the second time they have flown out to Australia in recent months, with the couple visiting Sydney last October to attend the wedding of Ms Donaldson's friends Kylie Matthews and Anthony Jones at St Mark's Church, Darling Point.

Article From: Sydney Morning Herald

[cathy g]

I think that it is so sweet that the finally declared his love although truth be told I didn't really like her in the beginning.

I wonder who is going to be the best man.

[Julia]

I do sense an engagement announcement soon....

I think Mary seems like a cute person, but I still cannot see her as the Crown Princess of Denmark and it's nothing against her. Maybe once the royal court gets a hold of her for another makeover (more polished, if that makes sense) she will seem more like a princess. Then again, I have never heard her speak and she is most likely very intelligent and sensible.

[samitude]

Julia,
I appreciate your words about Mary most likely being intelligent and sensible. I have noticed that many people on these royal message boards tear Mary to shreads and don't know anything about her. Even if she did volunteer in the red cross or a soup kitchen people would still find something to criticize her for. I feel bad for her.

I know you can't date a prince without cameras and press and I think she's doing a very admirable job handling them. I don't think the way she dresses is necessarily my style ,but I can't say anything about her work habits or any of this because I do not know at all!. I haven't talked to her employers, her friends or her family so I don't know.

Frederik goes to Australia. It's only natural that his girlfriend would want to be with him. What's wrong with her going to Australia? After all her family lives there. If you had the opportunity to go with your friend or boyfriend on a trip wouldn't you go?

[kelly9480]

Almost all of her time spent with her family was spent following him around. She didn't have "girl time" with her sisters. That's kind of odd. She hasn't seen much of them for the past year. My sisters live several states away from me and when we see each other (every 3 months we meet up in one of our states), we ditch everything and hang out together. No husbands, no boyfriends, no children and no pets allowed. My brothers live several states away, too (we're spread out all over the US), and when we see each other, we have time to ourselves. We go to a sporting event or something. But it's just us -- no one else comes along. She didn't do that and to me, as someone who does live several states away from her siblings, it's odd that she wouldn't focus exclusively on them for some point.

And let's face it: she is not going to work. Even if you do have one of those "work from home" jobs, you have to go into the office every once in a while. And we all know she's being followed everytime she leaves the house.

[Julia]

Hi Sylvia,

I do think that a lot of people have "picked" on Mary on many boards. I think that Mary has the following quality: either you like her, or you don't. Does that make sense? I have "trashed" Mary in the past, too. I don't particularily care for her sense of style (but that's what makes us each unique) and I have thought that she was a silly in front of the camera, but we each react differently to pressure (and yes, it is major pressure to have your image show up in tabloids, mags, newspapers, etc...). I cannot think, however, that Frederik would choose an unintelligent and vain woman to be his wife and the future queen of his country. His mother is like a force of nature. She is an incredible person, so there must be something special about Mary that we cannot see. Perhaps, after they announce their engagement (it hasn't happened yet, but the recent statement from Frederik indicates that there soon will be an announcement) and interviews are done with Mary, etc...we will all be better able to judge her character.
Sure, she knew when she met Frederik and something "clicked" between the two of them that she had a chance of becoming the future crown princess of Denmark. But, maybe she is qualified.
Of course this is just my opinion.

[Jacqueline]

Hi everyone!

I have never really been very fond Mary or thought that she was CP/Queen material. I have never hidden how I felt about that. However, I certainly cannot dissuade Fred from marrying her. She may be intelligent and a good conversationalist, but I have never liked the way in which she carries herself or the way in which she first presented herself to the people of Denmark. That may make me a bit of an old-fashioned snob, but that's how I feel about the situation.

I have always found Mary to be a bit too eager and far too dependent IMO. Her sense of style is really the least of my issues with her at this point. Many signs seem to point to an engagement annoucement and wedding. I think that there is a significantly large chance that Fred and Mary will be married in the near future, but that will not change the way in which I view her. Perhaps after years in the spotlight as more than just a girlfriend (after she becomes CP) and has to actually do the work, I may see her in a different light. However, I have to at least see her try first.