Crown Prince Frederik, Current Events Part 5: November 2014 - November 2015

[Terri Terri]

Even though it was PET that made the decision, Crown Prince Frederik has accepted responsiblity for the decision and apologized. As others have said, if this is the worse "scandal" that the DRF has to face, I am sure that the Spanish and British royal houses would welcome such a "scandal" right now!

As for this incident being on BBC news, the reporter is Malcolm Brabant, the husband of Trine Villeman. If not for that, this would never have even been mentioned or taken notice of by the BBC!

[Fox]

Yes we are not in the league of royal scandals as seen in other countries.

But as for crossing a red light. As I recall, it was Prince Joachim who made fun of the danes not crossing a red light. He said that it is only in Denmark people are standing and looking at the red light even when there is no cars in sight.

And skipping a line is a mortal sin in Denmark. One of the things foreigners has to learn - I even think it is mentioned in a guide to immigrants.

[polyesco]

Originally Posted by Terri Terri

Even though it was PET that made the decision, Crown Prince Frederik has accepted responsiblity for the decision and apologized. As others have said, if this is the worse "scandal" that the DRF has to face, I am sure that the Spanish and British royal houses would welcome such a "scandal" right now!

As for this incident being on BBC news, the reporter is Malcolm Brabant, the husband of Trine Villeman. If not for that, this would never have even been mentioned or taken notice of by the BBC!

Agreed, and nicely put.
ok, he made a mistake, he apologized (even if the blame is not all his)
what more can he do? turn back time?
he apologized, so unless he does it again and again, i dont see the issue
from the reactions you would have thought he ran over someone or something.
From following the DRF for a few years now, I dont get the sense of self entitlement in Frederik. Issuing a statement and not just ignoring the situation was good in my mind.

and yes Im having a laugh and so are many others to this bridge "scandal"
my favorite post
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/B7J5v6pIIAAPdwZ.jpg

[MidwestMom]

It seems the furor is dying down a little. I enjoyed the humorous pictures that were posted. Especially the James Bond-ish one, with Mary hanging onto Fred and the Little Mermaid in the background.

Muhler was right, there are more serious things going on in Europe right now. By comparison, this is somewhat refreshing - sorry, that's the only word I can think of right now. But it's put Denmark in the news - first the North Pole business, and now bridgegate. There is a certain governor here in the US who has had a 'bridge problem' for some time now. Fred's little escapade will blow over long before his does. BTW, I see your Prime Minister took a fall in Paris. She seems to be all right, though.

[Muhler]

The saga about Frederik's bridge crossing continues: Nye oplysninger: Politiet lod kronprinsen køre over broen | Nyhederne.tv2.dk

DR1 has dug deeper and found out that Frederik and/or PET did cross the bridge without the permission of the local police Saturday afternoon.

However when he crossed the bridge again the night to Sunday, it was with the permission of the local police: Politi lod kronprinsen krydse stormlukket bro | Nyheder | DR
That is, someone within the police gave the permission.

Because according to the log the police at Funen, that's west of the bridge, informed the police in western Zealand, that's east of the bridge, at 01.00 that the crown car with Frederik will pass the bridge once it arrives at the bridge. (Patrol cars from Funen police apparantly escorted Frederik, with sirens and lights flashing). The log then reads that at 02.53 Southern Zealand police informs that Frederik with escort are to be allowed across the bridge. At 03.05 the log reads that Frederik has passed the bridge.

The police commissioner for Southern Zealand police, Steen Nørskov, said Sunday that Frederik had not been granted permission to pass the bridge. He says: "This is news to me. I will of course relate to that. And I will investigate that further at once".

- So it seems like a number of police officers on the spot gave permission for Frederik to pass. Probably in a more or less misunderstood gesture of being obliging to the Crown Prince and/or extending a favor to PET.
In other words: If PET requests permission to pass an otherwise closed bridge and the same PET officers are escorting the Crown Prince, then I think most medium level police officers in charge will snap their heels and grant permission without further questions.

BTW the PM today during her weekly press conference declined to comment further on the Frederik episode except saying that she thought it wise that Frederik issued a public apology early on.

[polyesco]

new reports are coming in that police did give permission for him to cross the bridge
"Survey shows that the police gave the crown prince allowed to cross an otherwise closed Belt Bridge.
As crown prince night of Sunday would run over the otherwise storm closed Belt Bridge, it was the police who allowed him to pass.
It informs the company behind the bridge, Sund & Belt, in a statement to the Ministry of Transport which DR News has had access.
In the report, it appears that the crown prince Saturday at 15:15 arriving at the toll station at halsskov on Funen.
Here he is in agreement with the South Zealand and Lolland-Falster police allowed to run through the system and keep on the other side of the track before the bridge."
Politi gav grønt lys til kronprinsens brotur - Indland
Politiet gav Kronprinsen lov til at krydse lukket Storebæltsbro - Nationalt | www.b.dk
Either way, I still liked that he apologized since it caused frustration among other drivers

[Fox]

This put thing in another perspective, when the police gave their permission.

But Frederik must understand it never is a good idea to skip a line.

Scandal was worldwide, gave us great publicity and must be blown over now.

[Muhler]

And in Daily Mail: Denmark's Prince Frederik apologises after being caught using cordoned-off bridge | Daily Mail Online

That should lead to a chuckle or two among the comments...

[Nordic]

Originally Posted by Fox

But Frederik must understand it never is a good idea to skip a line.

I really dislike it when people "skip the line", but,I really think it's pretty obvious, that people in certain positions do skip the line, are driven straight to entrancies etc etc. This goes for members of the DRF, royalty in general (I very much doubt Frederik is the only one in the whole world of royalty who does that ) , presidents, prime ministers and so on.
It just comes with the "territory". Personally, it doesn't bother me at all, it's pretty natural.
I don't think it has anything to do with feeling "entitled".
From everything I have read and seen about Frederik, I haven't seen anything that would suggest that he has that sort of mentality.

[Jacknch]

I'll forgive Frederik for this, he made a public apology via a statement, which these days is very rare indeed!

[tommy100]

Originally Posted by FasterB

It wasn´t CP Frederik´s decision to cross the bridge. It was PET who took the desicion. Let´s get that straight.

So I can´t see why all keeps blaiming CP Frederik.

He's a 40+ years man, he can't say the big boys made him do it. If he was that bothered by it he could have told PET not to continue. As much as I agree it's a massive fuss over not very much at all, it will be worse if Fred is seen or portrayed to try to blame everyone else.

[polyesco]

Originally Posted by tommy100

He's a 40+ years man, he can't say the big boys made him do it. If he was that bothered by it he could have told PET not to continue. As much as I agree it's a massive fuss over not very much at all, it will be worse if Fred is seen or portrayed to try to blame everyone else.

i dont think he is trying to blame others, the statement reads that he the CP regrets it
"The Crown Prince is sorry that it happened and (he) can well understand that the situation caused additional frustrations and anger among the people who had been waiting for many hours to cross the bridge. It was a wrong decision to accept te opportunity for the car to continue and the Crown Prince regrets that"

even if it has come to light that the CP does not interfere with PET matters and that the police more or less let them.

[Muhler]

Danskernes dom over Kronprinsens brokørsel: Det var en dum beslutning - Danmark | www.bt.dk

Gallup has made a survey for BT and the result of the survey shows that 64 % believe Frederik should not have crossed the bridge. If it's closed for everybody else it should be closed for royals as well.
68 % state that their view on Frederik has remained unchanged or only marginally changed as a result of this.
For 21 % the incident has changed their view of Frederik to being more negative.
30 % believe it will harm the reputation of the DRF on a long term basis.

- The exact wording of the questions are not mentioned in the article, nor are the options for the replies. However, Gallup is very reputable and I doubt they "manipulate" the survey in order to serve the interests of BT or others that hire them.

That is, no thing like this:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G0ZZJXw4MTA

[polyesco]

maybe its my google translate but it looks like for most their opinion on frederik has not changed

"But although the Danish people think that Crown Prince Frederik took a wrong choice when he drove over the Great Belt Bridge, they think no worse of the Crown Prince of the reason. And Crown Prince Frederik is apparently still 'the people's prince.

another article on the poll
Brotur koster kronprinsen populariteten - Politiken.dk

[Muhler]

No, your Google translate is correct. I just prefer to let people interpret the figures themselves.

In my interpretation it reads that 68 % believe it's nothing or a very trivial matter.
21 % believe it wasn't the brightest idea. = A "Come on, Frederik. Think".

30 % are pessimists or wish to put the DRF up against the wall or simply believe the DRF shouldn't make too many mistakes like this.

The survey in Politiken is made by Megafon, which is often used but IMO not quite as reputable as Gallup.

55 % do not think crossing the bridge was okay.

Around 25 % find it acceptable.

As for his popularity 20 % are now more negative or much more negative towards him.

That means that QMII today is the most popular member of the DRF with 37 % votes, while Frederik has dropped to a second place with 27 %.
Last year Frederik was in the lead.

However, 69 % still believe Frederik is suited to be Regent (i.e. king) and there is still a majority in favor of the monarchy, even though 14 % have become more negative towards the monarchy.

-----------

Interestingly I read somewhere else today that it is among the 18-35 year olds is the most supporters of the monarchy can be found, I can't remember the exact figure but it was in the high 80 %

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IMO it speaks volumes of the behavior and moral standing of the DRF that a trivial matter like this is even taken serious.
This is a PR-problem some other royal families can only dream of!

[polyesco]

Originally Posted by Muhler

IMO it speaks volumes of the behavior and moral standing of the DRF that a trivial matter like this is even taken serious.
This is a PR-problem some other royal families can only dream of!

thank you
and i agree 100%
i think some danes are getting tired over the amount of coverage the media has placed on this incident
a tweet
"Have read Berlingske in my whole life. But enough is enough. Why should HRH Crown Prince ridiculed when PET was the decision maker"

[Terri Terri]

Seriously!???It has actually come down to polls being done for this incident!!??? WOW!! Goodness, if that is the case, Denmark would have been a republic by now if they had members who acted like some royals in the Spanish and British royal families!!!

I think because CP Frederik is regarded as being a generally humble and down-to-earth person is why people are willing to forgive him this "slip-up" and he is still popular. It was also good that he accepted responsibility for this situation early and apologized. I have a feeling if the tables were turned and it was Prince Joachim in this situation, he would not be forgiven as easily!

But you know what is even more sad?....the media attention given to this incident has been so blown out of proportion compared to the almost total lack of media attention given to most of CP Frederik's official activities and duties!

ADDED!

Hear! Hear! Love this commentary!
http://www.b.dk/kommentarer/brobizzen

[polyesco]

well due to the lack of scandals given by the DRF the danish media has to take what they can find and blow it overboard, lol. ; )

back to his event
Here is another gallery from the Sports gala event, 3 pictures of Frederik
I can also see the USA ambassador attended as well
Galleri Sport 2014

[royal rob]

I love the DRF they have such calm little scandals


Sent from my iPhone using The Royals Community

[amaryllus]

One day it may not be such a calm little scandal. If the Danes get so excited over driving violations the real thing is going to be devastating and the near end of the DRF and I mean that only half jokingly.