Crown Prince Frederik, Current Events Part 7: January 2018 - August 2020

[polyesco]

As current regent, Frederik held the State Council at Christiansborg Castle today.
Statsråd på Christiansborg Slot | Kongehuset

[polyesco]

For Frederik's second event today he visited the Special Operations Command change of command parade.

"The Special Operations Command is an operational command which task is to strengthen, synchronize and develop the Danish Armed Forces special operation capacity. A parade will be held on the occasion of a change of command ceremony"

more information
https://www2.forsvaret.dk/nyheder/ov...hefskifte.aspx

looking fantastic in uniform (gallery)
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/DY0FwGMXkAARDQN.jpg
https://nordjyske.dk/nyheder/danmark...17dcce/gallery

http://kongehuset.dk/foto-video/chef...ionskommandoen

[Muhler]

https://imageservice.nordjyske.dk/im...max&scale=both

Thank you, Polyesco.
I have to grudgingly admit that the navy full dress uniform is better looking than the army version.

I can't help notice the American officer sitting next to Frederik.
Another American officer is sitting behind Frederik. (Seen over his left shoulder.) He's from the cavalry I can tell from his uniform and the yellow cavalry-stripe on his blue trousers.

Here is a better view: https://imageservice.nordjyske.dk/im...max&scale=both
A major-general as far as I can tell, and as such equal in rank to Frederik.
With 27 years of service under his belt.

But I have a few questions perhaps some of our American friends can answer.
What branch under the army does he belong to? Yellow is the color of the cavalry, but when it comes to semi-gods like major-generals I'm uncertain. The double-stripe on his trousers is that for generals or general-staff officers?
Why is he wearing ribbons above his name-tag? Are they for the unit (i.e. his division) or foreign medals?
I can't make out what unit he belongs to.
The crescent shaped insignia under his ribbons to the left on his chest usually means a completed special forces course, like the Ranger Course.

So can anyone please a uniform-nerd like me, and talk us through his uniform?

[princess gertrude]

Originally Posted by Muhler

https://imageservice.nordjyske.dk/im...max&scale=both

Thank you, Polyesco.
I have to grudgingly admit that the navy full dress uniform is better looking than the army version.

I can't help notice the American officer sitting next to Frederik.
Another American officer is sitting behind Frederik. (Seen over his left shoulder.) He's from the cavalry I can tell from his uniform and the yellow cavalry-stripe on his blue trousers.

Here is a better view: https://imageservice.nordjyske.dk/im...max&scale=both
A major-general as far as I can tell, and as such equal in rank to Frederik.
With 27 years of service under his belt.

But I have a few questions perhaps some of our American friends can answer.
What branch under the army does he belong to? Yellow is the color of the cavalry, but when it comes to semi-gods like major-generals I'm uncertain. The double-stripe on his trousers is that for generals or general-staff officers?
Why is he wearing ribbons above his name-tag? Are they for the unit (i.e. his division) or foreign medals?
I can't make out what unit he belongs to.
The crescent shaped insignia under his ribbons to the left on his chest usually means a completed special forces course, like the Ranger Course.

So can anyone please a uniform-nerd like me, and talk us through his uniform?

From what I can tell he has a special forces, ranger, airborne tab under his name plate, a ranger tab on under his medals, and a master combat parachute pin under his medals as well. also, there is a infantry/marksman patch above his medals. The badge above his name plate is a special operations command pin. He is probably in one of the special forces groups, not sure which one. Not sure about the double stripes on his pants, but dark blue pants (as opposed to a lighter blue), mean a general officer.

[Muhler]

Thanks princess gertrude.

I knew there would be someone in the know.

[polyesco]

Originally Posted by princess gertrude

From what I can tell he has a special forces, ranger, airborne tab under his name plate, a ranger tab on under his medals, and a master combat parachute pin under his medals as well. also, there is a infantry/marksman patch above his medals. The badge above his name plate is a special operations command pin. He is probably in one of the special forces groups, not sure which one. Not sure about the double stripes on his pants, but dark blue pants (as opposed to a lighter blue), mean a general officer.

thank you princess gertrude. Always nice to learn and get more information

article from his visit today to the airbase with a picture of 18 year Frederik
https://www.billedbladet.dk/kongelig...ge-som-admiral

and some pictures from his surprise visit to a school who are joining him for the Royal run
https://www.tv2nord.dk/artikel/kronp...medium=twitter
https://nordjyske.dk/nyheder/kronpri...7-48c6cb9963f3

[princess gertrude]

Originally Posted by Muhler

Thanks princess gertrude.

I knew there would be someone in the know.

Be glad to help anytime. US Army wife. Kinda pick up on that kind of stuff after almost 20 years. Ha! And the hubby said that he was with the 1BN 10th Special Forces group.

[gerry]

Originally Posted by princess gertrude

From what I can tell he has a special forces, ranger, airborne tab under his name plate, a ranger tab on under his medals, and a master combat parachute pin under his medals as well. also, there is a infantry/marksman patch above his medals. The badge above his name plate is a special operations command pin. He is probably in one of the special forces groups, not sure which one. Not sure about the double stripes on his pants, but dark blue pants (as opposed to a lighter blue), mean a general officer.

The double stripes mean the wearer is a general officer. I have no idea what this is, but I found this site that I hope soothes Muhler's uniform needs

https://www.army.mil/symbols/uniformtraditions2.html

[Muhler]

Originally Posted by princess gertrude

Be glad to help anytime. US Army wife. Kinda pick up on that kind of stuff after almost 20 years. Ha! And the hubby said that he was with the 1BN 10th Special Forces group.

I bet you do!
There seems to be a growing trend to "lump together" various special forces and designate them to various theaters of operation. And depending on the type of mission, the commander can pick what unit is needed. Say Green Berets for being imbedded with local forces, Rangers for reconnaissance or Seals for raids.

That's also what has happened with the Danish special forces. They are now under one overall command directly under the Defense Chief, instead of previously being under two different commands. I.e. the navy and the army. The Frogman Corps and the Jaeger Corps have different skills and different ways of operating. Today they are now supported by the Long Range Reconnaissance Patrol under the Home Guard.
Apart from operating as a unit, individual members or teams are also picked for jobs abroad. Typical VIP escort/bodyguards in less secure countries. (We have sometimes seen them as FET agents protecting members of the DRF. Here being used under the Military Intelligence Service, FET. Royal bodyguards are normally police officers under the Police Intelligence Service, PET.)

Originally Posted by gerry

The double stripes mean the wearer is a general officer. I have no idea what this is, but I found this site that I hope soothes Muhler's uniform needs

https://www.army.mil/symbols/uniformtraditions2.html

Thanks, Gerry.

General officers are generals. General ranks are (depending on the country):
Brigadier (one star),
major-general (two stars),
lieutenant-general (three stars),
general (four stars and entitled to inspect God himself on the parade grounds every Sunday...
- and at least previously generaloberst (five stars, used Germany among other countries).
In the Soviet Union they at least used to have marshals as well, who were roughly the equivalent to a generaloberst.
Field-Marshal or generalfeldmarschall is an honorary title typically bestowed to generals who win a campaign. Formally speaking they are still generals though.

Staff-officers are officers who, surprise, work in staff or who are entitled to have a staff of their own. That's typically from the rank of major and up.
Officers who have their own staff normally begins with colonels and up.
If a colonel is in the presence of God, he will take the place on the right flank of God, instead of Jesus...

And for good measure I'll mention the sergeant-major. The most senior NCO rank. (or appointment, depending on the country.)
A sergeant-major will see it as his right to march Jesus up and down the square for hours every Sunday if he doesn't salute said sergeant-major properly...

And that's just the army. The senior ranks in the air force and navy view themselves in a similar way.

[princess gertrude]

Originally Posted by Muhler

If a colonel is in the presence of God, he will take the place on the right flank of God, instead of Jesus...

And for good measure I'll mention the sergeant-major. The most senior NCO rank. (or appointment, depending on the country.)
A sergeant-major will see it as his right to march Jesus up and down the square for hours every Sunday if he doesn't salute said sergeant-major properly...

And that's just the army. The senior ranks in the air force and navy view themselves in a similar way.

OMGosh!! I just spit out my coffee laughing. I will say, it is a very accurate description. And don't even get me started on the USAF pilots, they are God in their world (my uncle was a pilot)

[polyesco]

thank you all for information on the uniforms, very informative

Today, Frederik participated in opening the Visitor Center at Food Nation

"Food Nation is a public-private partnership established in 2016 by the government and a number of leading private organizations and companies. Food Nation represents the entire Danish food cluster, consisting of companies and organizations in primary and processed food production, technology and equipment, the ingredient industry, researchers, educational institutions and restaurants. The goal of Food Nation and the new Visitor Center is to raise awareness of Denmark as a leading food industry"
H.K.H. Kronprinsen er protektor for Food Nation | Kongehuset

https://www.facebook.com/detdanskeko...type=3&theater
https://scontent-lax3-2.xx.fbcdn.net...69&oe=5B2D397C

https://twitter.com/CarlsbergGroup/s...28288185270272
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/DY5kNMDWAAAUull.jpg
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/DY5kNL_WkAAIqfl.jpg
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/DY5kNMEX0AEFeSX.jpg

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/DY5f1A0XUAEMtPT.jpg:large
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/DY5NrwNXkAALi1B.jpg

He agreed to become patron of Food Nation
https://www.facebook.com/foodnationd...type=3&theater

[Muhler]

Thanks Polyesco.

There is very serious export-money in the food industry!
There is a huge demand for ecological products and now also vegan products that looks minced meat and with the same consistency. - The taste isn't quite the same I think though.
That "meat-product" has literally been torn down from the supermarket shelves!
And there is considerable interest from consumers in the rest of Europe.
The next product that is being presented these days are vegan eggs. They have also become a success. Not as big as the "synthetic meat" though.

Here it is: https://vegetarisk.dk/billigt-vegans...a-vej-i-netto/

And the eggs:
https://www.food-supply.dk/article/v...nteaeg?ref=rss

Originally Posted by princess gertrude

OMGosh!! I just spit out my coffee laughing. I will say, it is a very accurate description. And don't even get me started on the USAF pilots, they are God in their world (my uncle was a pilot)

Typical air force.

And don't get me started on the navy.

[polyesco]

Frederik today also attended the opening of an exhibition about the artist Hergé

"The Brandts Art Institute opens an exhibition about the artist Hergé, drawing a portrait of the artist, including is the creator of the cartoon character Tintin."

info
https://www.fyens.dk/article/3236231?rss

Hope we get better pictures
https://www.instagram.com/p/BgojdbXF...=brandtsmuseum
https://www.instagram.com/p/BgonIRSj...upsell_control

[Muhler]

Herge's Tintin combined with weekly magazine Donald Duck and the weekly mag Silver Arrow, was the reason why so many of my generation learned to read, and read well back in the 70's.

http://images2.fanpop.com/images/pho...-1920-1200.jpg

http://media.andeby.dk/upload/module...2931686855.jpg

http://denglemteskuffe-ts.dk/butik/t...4/act%2042.jpg

Any others who feel a whiff of nostalgia?

[polyesco]

Lovely. thank you for sharing

article and photo gallery
https://www.fyens.dk/odense/AAbner-u...rtikel/3241391

video
https://www.tv2fyn.dk/artikel/kronpr...in-er-min-mand

and gallery from his first event today, Food Nation
http://www.belgaimage.be/#/search/im...h%2022,%202018

[gerry]

Originally Posted by Muhler

Herge's Tintin combined with weekly magazine Donald Duck and the weekly mag Silver Arrow, was the reason why so many of my generation learned to read, and read well back in the 70's.

http://images2.fanpop.com/images/pho...-1920-1200.jpg

http://media.andeby.dk/upload/module...2931686855.jpg

http://denglemteskuffe-ts.dk/butik/t...4/act%2042.jpg

Any others who feel a whiff of nostalgia?

Unfortunately not nostalgia, Muhler but rather dismay when reading Hergé. I am a bit surprised that Denmark and your prince are celebrating Belgian colonialism, with its attendant racism.
https://www.theguardian.com/commenti...n-in-the-congo
I didn't know about Silver Arrow, but looking at the ilustration you posted with the heroic cowboy bashing the brains of a First Nations person, I don't think it is something I would contemplate feeling good about after reading. I guess only Donald Duck is left, with uncle Scrooge standing in for the divide between rich and poor that still makes people angry.

[Muhler]

Originally Posted by gerry

Unfortunately not nostalgia, Muhler but rather dismay when reading Hergé. I am a bit surprised that Denmark and your prince are celebrating Belgian colonialism, with its attendant racism.
https://www.theguardian.com/commenti...n-in-the-congo
I didn't know about Silver Arrow, but looking at the ilustration you posted with the heroic cowboy bashing the brains of a First Nations person, I don't think it is something I would contemplate feeling good about after reading. I guess only Donald Duck is left, with uncle Scrooge standing in for the divide between rich and poor that still makes people angry.

In regards to Silver Arrow, or Silberpfeil in German, the "indianer" (European word for a Native American) is the hero. The magazine is named after him and the magazine was very much on the side of the "indianere". Native Americans have a very good reputation in Europe and have had this reputation for at least the past 60 years. Not least due to magazines like Silver Arrow, but certainly also the brilliant comics written and drawn by Hans Kresse - who were no nonsense in his description of Indianere and their first encounters with the Spaniards in this case.

https://img.tradera.net/images/841/2...929ca32426.jpg
http://img.tradera.net/images/586/26...d32155c50e.jpg
https://i.pinimg.com/originals/b9/83...58076b4b0a.jpg

I assume you think about Tintin in the Congos?
Well, I disagree with you. I actually think it ought be required reading at high school level.

Firstly I find the magazine absolutely hilarious. It is in every possible way politically incorrect in today's world. Tintin is going to Congo, shooting every animal in sight, being a terrible racist in a hopelessly naive and condescending way. The Africans are portrayed in a way that leaves the impression they would drown if they stood outside looking up at the rain.
With one notifiable exception; The Pygmies living in the rain forest are described in a positive way. Something you often see contemporary accounts - the "noble savage" and the admirable ability to survive in very difficult places.
But back to Tintin. Yes, the magazine is racist. Absolutely. But that's how Africans were seen in Europe in the 1930's. That was taught in schools. Colonialism was good, as it elevated the Africans from ignorance and superstition. And people in general believed it, including Herge. In a world where few traveled there were few sources of information, so people believed what they were told and taught.
I think Tintin in the Congos is an important testament to how the world was viewed only 90 years ago and I think it's a mistake to see it with modern eyes.
Interestingly Herge only a couple of years later, wrote another magazine, Tintin and the Blue Lotus, which took place in China, and was very much pro-Chinese and very anti-Japanese (it took place during the Japanese-Chinese war). Here his hero explains about very racist misconceptions in Europe about Chinese and his hero intervenes against racism perpetrated by a Westener.
So was Herge a genuine racist? IMO yes and no. He kept portraying Africans as caricatures and to put it mildly not too bright, but all other races were treated fairly and respectfully.

I'm glad Belgium and Denmark have not followed countries like say Sweden and banned magazines like Tintin in the Congos from the libraries. Because if we put away what we don't like from the past, we end up with a society reminiscent of 1984. A society that is forever suited to what is politically correct at any given time - but where we lose our history for good or worse.
There are other countries where it is now a punishable offense to teach and study parts of the history that is inconvenient.

- Both approaches are just as dangerous and wrong IMO.
The past is the past and often it's unpleasant, but one day we will be the past.
And do we want to be glossed over or erased by future generations?

[gerry]

Originally Posted by Muhler

In regards to Silver Arrow, or Silberpfeil in German, the "indianer" (European word for a Native American) is the hero. The magazine is named after him and the magazine was very much on the side of the "indianere". Native Americans have a very good reputation in Europe and have had this reputation for at least the past 60 years. Not least due to magazines like Silver Arrow, but certainly also the brilliant comics written and drawn by Hans Kresse - who were no nonsense in his description of Indianere and their first encounters with the Spaniards in this case.

https://img.tradera.net/images/841/2...929ca32426.jpg
http://img.tradera.net/images/586/26...d32155c50e.jpg
[URL]https://i.pinimg.com/originals/b9/83/1b/b9831bf3d48102ae65632158076b4b0a.jpg[/URL

I assume you think about Tintin in the Congos?
Well, I disagree with you. I actually think it ought be required reading at high school level.

Firstly I find the magazine absolutely hilarious. It is in every possible way politically incorrect in today's world. Tintin is going to Congo, shooting every animal in sight, being a terrible racist in a hopelessly naive and condescending way. The Africans are portrayed in a way that leaves the impression they would drown if they stood outside looking up at the rain.
With one notifiable exception; The Pygmies living in the rain forest are described in a positive way. Something you often see contemporary accounts - the "noble savage" and the admirable ability to survive in very difficult places.
But back to Tintin. Yes, the magazine is racist. Absolutely. But that's how Africans were seen in Europe in the 1930's. That was taught in schools. Colonialism was good, as it elevated the Africans from ignorance and superstition. And people in general believed it, including Herge. In a world where few traveled there were few sources of information, so people believed what they were told and taught.
I think Tintin in the Congos is an important testament to how the world was viewed only 90 years ago and I think it's a mistake to see it with modern eyes.
Interestingly Herge only a couple of years later, wrote another magazine, Tintin and the Blue Lotus, which took place in China, and was very much pro-Chinese and very anti-Japanese (it took place during the Japanese-Chinese war). Here his hero explains about very racist misconceptions in Europe about Chinese and his hero intervenes against racism perpetrated by a Westener.
So was Herge a genuine racist? IMO yes and no. He kept portraying Africans as caricatures and to put it mildly not too bright, but all other races were treated fairly and respectfully.

I'm glad Belgium and Denmark have not followed countries like say Sweden and banned magazines like Tintin in the Congos from the libraries. Because if we put away what we don't like from the past, we end up with a society reminiscent of 1984. A society that is forever suited to what is politically correct at any given time - but where we lose our history for good or worse.
There are other countries where it is now a punishable offense to teach and study parts of the history that is inconvenient.

- Both approaches are just as dangerous and wrong IMO.
The past is the past and often it's unpleasant, but one day we will be the past.
And do we want to be glossed over or erased by future generations?

Mange mange tak Muhler! You have written why we need to TALK about artists like Hergé. Of course his views were racist, but so were the times! Here in Canada, we are now trying to come to terms with Hergé's visions of North American First Nations, that in Europe are still called 'Indianer'; here in our schools we thank First Nations every morning for letting us use the land upon which our nation is built I still find Hergé problematic, but that is what great art does and I do hope in Denmark, the discussion will continue

[Muhler]

Originally Posted by gerry

Mange mange tak Muhler! You have written why we need to TALK about artists like Hergé. Of course his views were racist, but so were the times! Here in Canada, we are now trying to come to terms with Hergé's visions of North American First Nations, that in Europe are still called 'Indianer'; here in our schools we thank First Nations every morning for letting us use the land upon which our nation is built I still find Hergé problematic, but that is what great art does and I do hope in Denmark, the discussion will continue

Exactly, and as you know, to this day Canada still has problems with the First Nations, as you label them.
The European word "Indianer" is not to be translated with Indian. That would be "Inder" in Germannic/Scandinavian. So it doesn't have the same politically correct connotations.

Many things have been conveniently forgotten, sometimes for centuries. Like the fact that Denmark was a major slave-transporting nation in the 1700's. Danish ships, often mainly manned with Norwegian sailors and funded to a large extent by money from Schleswig & Holstein, sailed to Africa and sold often British manufactured products to coastal tribes in Africa, who profited greatly on selling slaves from inland tribes to the Europeans.

And I also think we should not make the mistake of putting Native Americans on a pedestal as well.
The magnificent and in Europe well-loved and even admired prairie tribes only existed as horse-nations for some 150 years. Before that the Sioux, the Cheyennes the Blackfeet and even the Kiowas portrayed so favorably in Silver Arrow, were mainly forest dwellers.
The Eastern forest tribes were more than happy killing each other. And that to the extent that the population level was dropping, hence the reason why they adopted so many prisoners, including many of the first white settlers. They were also more than happy to kill every beaver in sight in return for European products they couldn't manufacture themselves. (In fact that was one of the reasons why the Cheyennes and Sioux were pushed to edge of the prairie.)
Later on (around 1820-40) some of the tribes acquired black slaves and established (pretty successful) plantations of their own.

As for the Mayas and Aztecs. Extremely advanced civilizations. - Who in periods performed human sacrifices on an industrial scale! And who were in continuous war with neighboring nations.
As for the Incas. - Well, ask their neighbors what they thought about them! The Conquistadors would have had huge problems defeating these civilizations without their local allies, who absolutely hated the Incas and Aztecs. It may even have been impossible without the "help" of diseases.

So it's important IMO to keep in mind that the natives the Europeans encountered all over the world could be genuine bastards too when if it suited them.

[iceflower]

.

Here are some more photos of Frederik at the Special Operations Command Change of Command Parade on Wednesday:


** belga gallery **


And here's another gallery of the opening of the new Herge exhibition in Odense yesterday:


** belga gallery **