Wasn't there a thread about the church and preparations for the baptism?
Anyway, Trine Villemann has surfaced on BT
Danskerne må ikke deltage i tvillinge-dåb - Kendte - BT.dk
And as much as I hate to admit it, she has a point - in the sense that baptizing the twins on an ordinary Thursday afternoon, will prevent many from watching the event live. Which is unfortunate considering how many usually watch such events involving the DRF.
But Trine Villemann of course go way over the top, especially as we don't know why this particular date and time has been decided on.
Here is a summary of the article:
The baptism takes place Thursday at 15.30, at a time when most people are still at work, on the way home from work ( - or busy picking up children and feeding them).
Way more than a million viewers watched the christenings of Christian and Isabella, which took place on a Saturday and Sunday. (Of a population of 5.5 million).
"I've never seen such a foolish planning. The most important task of the DRF is to ensure that such an occasion, which is a part of the backbone of the monarchy, is placed so that as many Danes as possible can take part, if they wish to", says Trine Villemann. (*)
"As it is now, only people on welfare (I.e. social welfare, unemployment benefit, pension and so on) (**) have an opportunity to follow the event. One should think the DRF was out to maginalise itself", says Villemann.
The purpose may be for the baptism to be a more private affair.
Trine Villemann: "If you wish for a private baptism, you don't book Holmens Church. We are talking about two in the Line of Succession, and then there is nothing that is private. (In connection with the baptism).
The DRF has shot itself in the foot. But ultimately it's Crown Princess Mary, who decides (***). This is so much a do-it-again, Mary. I will strongly recommend the court to look again in the calendar and find another date".
However a historian, Lars Hovbakke Sørensen points out that QMII was christened on a Tuesday, Frederik on a Monday and Joachim on a Tuesday. (****) He says: "It's the christenings of Christian and Isabella which are atypical. The tradition is that a royal baptism takes place on a weekday. It's actually the DRF which has been considerate on those two occasions".
He also believe this christening will be private and low key, i.e. no, or at least very few dignitaries present, outside the wider family circle.
He adds: "The DRF always choose themselves as to whether a baptism, a birthday or something similar, should be private. They themselves set the date, and the decide themselves which church to use. The most natural thing is actually to keep the christening private".
(*) Well, the PR function is indeed important, but there may be a handful of functions more important then ensuring viewers to a baptism. The Constitutional roles among others.
(**) And schoolchildren, students, those who work different hours, those who take a few hours off (which has been seen before in connection with say important soccer matches).
(***) How about Frederik, hasn't he got something to say?
(****) QMII's christening was before live TV and Frederik and Joachim was back in a time where the interest for the DRF was actually less than now.
