General News about Frederik, Mary and Family 7: October 2010 - March 2011

[Muhler]

Summary of two articles in Billed Bladet #44, 2010.
Written by Ulrik Ulriksen & Trine Larsen.

Apart from a few details there really isn't much of substance in these articles.
Moving vans have been photographed unloading at the new palais. Mary herself has been observed several times in and around the newly renovated palais.
- So indications points to that they are in the process of moving in as this is written.

Plans are that the CP family will stay at Amalienborg in the winter months and at Kancellihuset during the summer months.
That means that Christian and Isabella will have 45 minuttes more on the road each day when they go to the kindergarten in Fredensborg, in contrast to barely five minuttes now, by car.
It also means it will be more of a logistical problem for Christian to take mates with him home from kindergarten or to go home with a mate, than it is now.
Ulrik Ulriksen on the other hands points out that Christian will be closer to some of his mates who are children of private friends of M&F. Most of them live in or close to Copenhagen.

Trine Larsen in har article reflects more on the fond memories Frederik has from his childhood of the new palais, which used to be occupied by Queen Ingrid and where he often stayed.
However Trine Larsen gets one thing completely wrong. She writes in her article that Frederik told Queen Ingrid (basically on her deadbed) about Mary. Frederik himself has cleary said that he did not tell her about Mary.
Read here: http://www.theroyalforums.com/forums...ml#post1150418

[dazzling]

Why is it that they move during winter and summer to different houses?

[Muhler]

Originally Posted by dazzling

Why is it that they move during winter and summer to different houses?

That's old tradition in the DRF. During the summer they move out into the country, I.e. Fredensborg. During the winter they stay in the city, I.e. Amalienborg.

Even though nowadays the Regent Couple seems to have taken up almost permanent residence at Fredensborg.

If you think that's a lot of moving about, this is nothing. Up until the introduction of absolutism around 1660 the Danish kings were constantly on the move.
In fact Copenhagen didn't become a de facto capital city until late in the 1400's.
Up until then the entire government apparatus usually moved around with the king.
By 1500 the administrative system had been so large and cumbersume that it wasn't possible to by mobile anymore. But the kings themselves where on the move for almost 200 years more.

[AnnaNotherThing]

I would have thought that with the option of two residences now and Christian and Isabella happy at their little kinder in Fredensborg, that Amalienborg could/might be more of a weekender...They stay at Fredensborg during the week for the few days of kinder (How many days of the week is it anyway, 2 or 3?) and then head to Copenhagen for a few days until kinder starts again for the next week...

But seriously, I don't think 30kms/45kms is that big a deal in terms of drives, just means you have to be organised and leave earlier to arrive on time...With two stubborn toddlers and two newborns arriving soon and two working parents, that may present a whole series of morning battles in the months to come...Do Christian and Isabella's nannies ever drop them off/pick them up from kinder or is it all hands on Mary or Frederik?

[nwinther]

Originally Posted by AnnaNotherThing

Do Christian and Isabella's nannies ever drop them off/pick them up from kinder or is it all hands on Mary or Frederik?

Hmm... Not sure. Though M & F's schedule does indicate that they have to leave it to nannies on a day-to-day basis.

Another consideration pointing towards nannies being trusted with that task is security. It's never wise to be too predictable in your daily life - in case someone is gunning for you. Surely, occationally, M or F can drop off the kids - but appearing again and again at the same location at the same time is living hell on the security detail.

So I think it's usually the nannies that does it.

[Sternchen]

Originally Posted by AnnaNotherThing

They stay at Fredensborg during the week for the few days of kinder (How many days of the week is it anyway, 2 or 3?) and then head to Copenhagen for a few days until kinder starts again for the next week...

Usually it is five days a week :)

Do Christian and Isabella's nannies ever drop them off/pick them up from kinder or is it all hands on Mary or Frederik?

Depending on the schedule. Sometimes Fred drives them to kindergarden by bike, sometimes by car, sometimes Mary brings them or picks them up. Sometimes the nanny brings them, and Mary or Fred pick them up, or vice versa :)

[AnnaNotherThing]

Originally Posted by Sternchen

Usually it is five days a week :)

Depending on the schedule. Sometimes Fred drives them to kindergarden by bike, sometimes by car, sometimes Mary brings them or picks them up. Sometimes the nanny brings them, and Mary or Fred pick them up, or vice versa :)

So then they should treat Amalienborg as a 'weekender'...half their luck to have such a luxurious weekend retreat

[Muhler]

A new book called: Amalienborg has just been published.

I understand it consists of interviews with members of the DRF.

So far a few extracts have been made public. One with QMII, which I may deal with later.
Sover i mormors dødsværelse - TV 2 Vip

And now one where Frederik is telling about how he and Mary sleep in the same bedroom in Kancellihuset, where his grandmother (mormor) Queen Ingrid died:
- "In Kancellihuset my mormor (grandmother) went to sleep (*) in the bedroom my wife (**) and I got.
I had to think about that in the beginning, but there is a fantastic spirit in the house.
Sometimes you can feel that mormor (grandmother) has been there, when a wague scent of cigaret smoke, spiced with perfume suddenly appear.
There is nothing to be afraid of. A life has passed away and new (life) has arisen (been created), now that our children run around and have a merry time in her old room".

(*) The expression is "sov ind" = litterally: slept in. Which means that she died quietly in her bed.

(**) Using informal word for wife.

I decided to post it here, at least initially, because it provides a good insight into frederik's mindset and his relationship to his grandmother and how he deals with the loss.

[dee4855]

Thank you for the translation Muhler. It is very touching how close the CP was to his grandmother. It is sad she and Mary never had a chance to meet. You know she would have loved his children so much. Then seeing the joy of the birth of the twins would have just been the icing on the cake for her.

[nwinther]

Originally Posted by Muhler

(**) Using informal word for wife.

He uses that word (kone) a lot. I don't care for it. It sounds like Mary is 60 years old sporting a slight moustache.

I find the word "hustru" much more dignified in general, and especially when it comes to royalty.

Kone = Venus of Willendorf
Hustru = Venus de Milo
- IMO.

[Sternchen]

nwinther, you crack me up

[agnessa]

It's so beautiful and natural and really - there is nothing to be awfraid. The life don't have to stop and I'm sure that queen Ingrid would be so glad to know that there are little (ok, soon not so little) family in her home and old room

[charlottestreasures]

Originally Posted by Muhler

That's old tradition in the DRF. During the summer they move out into the country, I.e. Fredensborg. During the winter they stay in the city, I.e. Amalienborg.

Even though nowadays the Regent Couple seems to have taken up almost permanent residence at Fredensborg.

If you think that's a lot of moving about, this is nothing. Up until the introduction of absolutism around 1660 the Danish kings were constantly on the move.
In fact Copenhagen didn't become a de facto capital city until late in the 1400's.
Up until then the entire government apparatus usually moved around with the king.
By 1500 the administrative system had been so large and cumbersume that it wasn't possible to by mobile anymore. But the kings themselves where on the move for almost 200 years more.

Yes but why do they need to move between these two residences. Why not stay in the country, while their family is young and travel to the city for official reasons only?

[Muhler]

Originally Posted by charlottestreasures

Yes but why do they need to move between these two residences. Why not stay in the country, while their family is young and travel to the city for official reasons only?

Personally I wouldn't blame them if they did. Especially since Fredensborg seems such a great place for children to live.

There are several reasons.
The court, the entire administration is located at the Amalienborg complex. - It consists of more than the four palais.

Queen Margrethe could die tomorrow, so they might just as well get settled at Amalienborg.

Amalienborg is the official and main residence of the DRF, so it's expected that the members of the DRF, spend a good deal of time there. - Just as it is more or less expected that QEII spend at least some time at Buckingham Palace.

Another and perhaps just as important reason is showing affilliation with the various parts of Denmark. That's also why the Regent Couple in particular move between the various residences throughout the year. Marselisborg in Eastern Jutland, Gråsten in Southern Jutland, to show their affilliation with these parts of the country as well. - Otherwise people would complain: "They are only in Copenhagen, we never see them in this part of the country and why have palaces/mansions standing around if they are never used and so on...". Believe me, that has very much been a topic in the past!
Which is of course why the summer cruises with Danneborg are so important and appreciated. - If the DRF haven't got a local residence, they can at least bring a residence with them. And that taste a bit like bird...

It would be comparable to the US President and his/her family being only head of state and not also head of the government. He could have his main residence in Washington DC, but during the year or his time in office also live for perods in mansions in California, Colorado, Ohio and Arkansas to show affilliation with all of USA. - A bit impractical perhaps but that may be outweighed by the symbolism?

[Princess_Beatrix]

Is there something wrong with Frederik? I think he often looks stressed and tense during nearly all newer pictures. His smile an laughter don't look as natural as some time ago. In some pictures he looks nearly a bit depressed. Like he really isn't enjoying what he is doing. He does not even look that happy in the newest pictures even if he and Mary are expect twins. Could it be some kind of midlife crisis?

[Duke of Marmalade]

Originally Posted by Princess_Beatrix

Is there something wrong with Frederik? I think he often looks stressed and tense during nearly all newer pictures. His smile an laughter don't look as natural as some time ago. In some pictures he looks nearly a bit depressed. Like he really isn't enjoying what he is doing. He does not even look that happy in the newest pictures even if he and Mary are expect twins. Could it be some kind of midlife crisis?

nothing new. frederik admitted a long time ago that he isnt comfortable with the task he is going to inherit one day. on public duty, he is often insecure and awkward. i dont think that he is depressed (= ill) but there is a lot of pressure on him. he did the right thing by chosing a wife that takes away most of the attention but the pressure is mounting. one day everybody will look up to him and if he isnt up to scratch, people will quickly, like in other countries, ask the question, do we still need this? my personal opinion is that he isnt up to scratch. so far the danes are quite sweet with frederik, accepting him the way he is, but the question is, will this remain when he once holds the top job.

then, regarding his personal life, there is pressure too, 4 kids is a hell of a task and i guess he wants to be a better parent than his parents used to be. frederik, from time to time, strikes me as a loaner, using some escape routes from duty and family. i dont think their marriage is easy and i hope that mary will be able to deal with this in the long run.

all in all, I see him as a very reluctant monarch and hopefully he wont end up like the other reluctant monarch in the neighborcountry.

[charlottestreasures]

Originally Posted by Muhler

Personally I wouldn't blame them if they did. Especially since Fredensborg seems such a great place for children to live.

There are several reasons.
The court, the entire administration is located at the Amalienborg complex. - It consists of more than the four palais.

Queen Margrethe could die tomorrow, so they might just as well get settled at Amalienborg.

Amalienborg is the official and main residence of the DRF, so it's expected that the members of the DRF, spend a good deal of time there. - Just as it is more or less expected that QEII spend at least some time at Buckingham Palace.

Another and perhaps just as important reason is showing affilliation with the various parts of Denmark. That's also why the Regent Couple in particular move between the various residences throughout the year. Marselisborg in Eastern Jutland, Gråsten in Southern Jutland, to show their affilliation with these parts of the country as well. - Otherwise people would complain: "They are only in Copenhagen, we never see them in this part of the country and why have palaces/mansions standing around if they are never used and so on...". Believe me, that has very much been a topic in the past!
Which is of course why the summer cruises with Danneborg are so important and appreciated. - If the DRF haven't got a local residence, they can at least bring a residence with them. And that taste a bit like bird...

It would be comparable to the US President and his/her family being only head of state and not also head of the government. He could have his main residence in Washington DC, but during the year or his time in office also live for perods in mansions in California, Colorado, Ohio and Arkansas to show affilliation with all of USA. - A bit impractical perhaps but that may be outweighed by the symbolism?

Thanks very much for taking the time to explain this to me.
I do see the point for the Monarch, but for the Crown Prince and Family, I could see the point of them staying put in the country.

[Muhler]

Originally Posted by charlottestreasures

Thanks very much for taking the time to explain this to me.
I do see the point for the Monarch, but for the Crown Prince and Family, I could see the point of them staying put in the country.

Because Mary and Frederik, in my opinion, are now taking over from the Regent Couple in earnest.
Queen Margrethe and Prince Henrik are both over 70. PH has openly stated that he has more or less retired.
Queen Margrethe will not abdicate.

There have in the last to-three years been indications pointing towards Mary and Frederik taking over from the Regent Couple in almost anything but name. Despite Mary's pregnancy M&F have continued to perform tasks and take on events, where it would be more natural that at least the Queen took on.

QMII has said herself that she now work more closely with Frederik than ever before and that she follow his advise. (I.e. do things his way).
It's on the job training and preparation of course. But it's more than that. I believe we are looking at an ongoing transition right now.

I predict that within the next two years, QMII & PH will have semi-retired and that they will play a much lesser role than now, except for the constitutional tasks. That means that M&F will be the de facto regent couple.
And when the time comes, the change from CP-couple to regent-couple will be fairly small, for M&F.

Queen Margrethe has spoken about how big a change it was for her to become a Queen. She had to learn a lot and learn fast.
Polls have shown that the Danes are very positive towards QMII abdicating. Not because they are displeased with her, on the contrary. But because they think she has the right to retire and enjoy her remaining years.
Polls also show that the Danes believe M&F are now ready to take over.

QMII is a wise woman, no doubt about that. So why not compromise? Ensure that the transition for Mary and Frederik is as smooth as possible, let them already now put their mark on how things are done, let them already now take center stage.
So that, when she drops from the pearch as she puts it herself, M&F are already in their roles as king and queen.

[dee4855]

Muhler I have a question for you please. When F&M take over will Joachim and Marie fill their position since the children will probably be to young?

[Muhler]

Originally Posted by dee4855

Muhler I have a question for you please. When F&M take over will Joachim and Marie fill their position since the children will probably be to young?

I believe J&M will be even more busy than they are now. Our Marie will also, apart from accompanying Joachim on even more travels, have her own interests and she will probably in many ways take over from Princess Benedikte as well.