General News about Frederik, Mary and Family 8: March - May 2011

[puddytat]

Why is it people jump to the worst possible conclusions when something like this hits the media?

We now know the kind of company Frederik was with - his in-laws, close friends, and still there is all this moral outrage that he was doing something wrong.

Has nobody considered a practical and sensible solution was found to entertaining out of town guests and family when a house (or palace) full of people might have been an issue when trying to get two small, possibly excited children in bed? Or, that Mary had not one, but two infants to nurse and settled down for the night? Her burden of visiting with family and friends, the planning of the upcoming christening, plus nursing was quite a full plate and maybe there was a consideration for her needing some peace and quiet.

All that talking, laughing and commotion even in a building as large as one of the Amalienborg palaces might not be completely soundproofed. Or, that the private apartments are not all that large, either, to contain a good sized group of noisy adults.

Not to put too delicate a point on the discussion, but the worst kind of behaviours are usually done behind very private walls, not public nightclubs.

[Muhler]

Originally Posted by antonieta

In my own opinion, the reaction would be the same,
Obligations, duties, responsabilities, call it what you want, are equal, no matter if the person in question is a prince, or a princess, an anonimous...it's equall.

Fair enough.

We just see things differently then.

[eliz]

muhler, thanks for your very interesting posts re frederik's attitude, depression and newly found stability in mary.
if i'm not mistaken, you said that once you thought that joachim would have been the better heir then changed your mind, like many other danes, given that f is the nost loved one of the two brothers by the public right now.
well, i have to say that frederik must have done an amazing job in growing up, becoming more secure, accepting his role etc and also showing his insecurities and being accepted and loved his insecurities notwithstanding.
perhaps it is the first time that a royal, and a future king nonetheless, opens up so much about his personal issues, and i reckon it paid off, both for frederik, who doesn't have to pretend to be different from what he really is, and for Danish people, who should get the feeling to know frederik and his inner battles well

[dazzling]

Mary and Frederik on Harbour Cruise
Translated article from BB

[Muhler]

Originally Posted by eliz

muhler, thanks for your very interesting posts re frederik's attitude, depression and newly found stability in mary.
if i'm not mistaken, you said that once you thought that joachim would have been the better heir then changed your mind, like many other danes, given that f is the nost loved one of the two brothers by the public right now.
well, i have to say that frederik must have done an amazing job in growing up, becoming more secure, accepting his role etc and also showing his insecurities and being accepted and loved his insecurities notwithstanding.
perhaps it is the first time that a royal, and a future king nonetheless, opens up so much about his personal issues, and i reckon it paid off, both for frederik, who doesn't have to pretend to be different from what he really is, and for Danish people, who should get the feeling to know frederik and his inner battles well

I think so too, being honest about your issues is often helpful.

The thing that really changed my view on Frederik's suitability as a king can be summarized into one word: Mary.
He was open about his problems accepting his destiny. That is something I respect.
The navy special forces and the trek in Greenland are individually very impressive accomplishments, but in themselves they may not necessarily make him more suitable as a king.
He lost perhaps his closest confidente, Queen Ingrid, in 2000 while he at the same time met Mary.
Mary was different in the sense that she was the first sweetheart he actually moved in with, albeit unofficially.
It's my impression that Frederik felt very insecure, was afraid and basically lost, when he tried to look into the future. But first and foremost I believe he was lonely. - Something QMII has hinted.
Now he had someone he felt he could securely face the future with.
Someone he could share the burden of being a royal with on a day to day basis.
Getting married and setteling down in earnest is a big change in everyones lives.
Having children, good grief, also changes things. A lot! And it matures you.
On top of that he has passed 40, and whether you are willing to admit it or not, something happens to you around that age.
I think Frederik now looks at the future as a challenge, rather than as something scary.

Don't get me wrong, Mary is no superhuman. Most of her accomplishments, I believe, come from hard work.
I'm certain she has found her anchor in Frederik as well. I find it most telling when they are on the job together. Mary is much more relaxed then, and sometimes almost girlish. That's why they complement each other so well on official travels.
I'm I no doubt whatsoever that Mary sometimes, perhaps often, is very nervous. With Frederik around she has a huge moral support, just by his presence.
I have a great confidence in Mary's abilities. Should QMII say tomorrow: "Mary, I'll take the rest of the family for a trek down the Amazonas and you are going to be Regent until we return. Oh, and the PM will probably call a general election within the next few weeks. You'll deal with that as well, okay? See you in a couple of months or so".
I wouldn't be nervous for her. Eventhough she would have to, on her own, to accept the resignation of the government and Parliament. Meet the various chairmen of the parties and listen to whom they point to as the next PM after the election and formally appoint the new government.

It's the Frederik and Mary team that is crucial for my perception of Frederik's suitability as king. An impression I don't have on my own and which can boiled down to: Frederik on his own? Yeah okay, he'll probably be a fine king. Mary and Frederik? They will be fine regent couple.

That doesn't mean I've dismissed Joachim. Oh no. Joachim is still way superiour to Frederik when it comes to formal representation, accompanying business and diplomatic delegations, giving formal speeches. - The more stiff but still essential part of being a royal.

I genuinely think that we Danes are, pardon me, damned fortunate in having both M&F and J&M, individually the four of them appeal in particular to different segments of the population while at the same time not being so different that the segments don't very much overlap.
They have different ways of approaching their jobs and that's a strength.

Hmm, a long post as usual.
Well, if you made it this far, you'll probably get my meaning.

[FasterB]

Muhler, what an excellent post. I couldn´t have said it better myself.

[Terri Terri]

Well said indeed Muhler!

[Catharina]

Muhler, what more can I say, you just said it all!

I take it is already official that the Crown Prince couple will not be attending the wedding in London? What a shame... I had such high hopes that finally the "young circle of royals" would meet Prince William and Catherine. I know about the traditions that BRF has about attending weddings etc. (they're so very private I guess or uninterested) but I've sort of hoped that one day we would get to see other royals than Edward and Sophie with Haakon, Mette-Marit, Joachim, Marie, Frederik, Mary, Victoria, Daniel, W-A, Maxima etc. I know that CPC from the Netherlands, Spain and Sweden will attend but still.

I know it might be too much to ask that the BRF would change a little. I doubt they will. To me they just seem like those distant relatives that rarely bother to attend when you invite them and to whom you talk to very seldom, only sending the occasional Christmas card.

[princess gertrude]

Definately well said Muhler! I've never thought about it all together, but makes perfect sense. Good job!

[Muhler]

Originally Posted by Catharina

I know it might be too much to ask that the BRF would change a little. I doubt they will. To me they just seem like those distant relatives that rarely bother to attend when you invite them and to whom you talk to very seldom, only sending the occasional Christmas card.

Yes, looking from this side of the North Sea, that's basically what I and many other Danes feel as well.

I've followed the debate about the guestlist in the BRF thread.
And I can't quite figure out the way the invitations have been decided on.

Anyway, I guess QMII is going, assuming M&F could go as well, simply because Mary is on maternity leave.
Next on the list after the Regent Couple would be J&M, but if they are going to Monaco, which is hinted and which would be a logic move, it would seem more natural that QMII go.
How about Prince Henrik? Well, he is semi-retired and honestly I think he couldn't be bothered.

Okay, okay, I've seen the many arguments for this being a BRF tradition, family relations, William being the next heir after current one, there being an economic crisis going on... All of it valid points and probably true as well.
I just wish the (added: the younger members of the) BRF would start to look beyond the Channel and interact more with the other European royals.
If for no other reason than out of consideration to Kate and whoever will be Harry's wife. Kate certainly is in a unique position and there aren't that many crown princesses around, so perhaps she would like some advise? I mean, who else can she ask? William? He doesn't look much like a woman/princess to me, however supportive he may be as a husband. QEII? With all due respect, she was a princess in the early 50's.
She can't ask William's mother, she would be an obvious councellor.
Camilla? I dunno. She is, to put it mildly, in a pretty unique positions as well. A position which is very different from Kate's. Not to mention the very considerable age gap.
Then there are William's aunts? Well, Fergie is probably out of the picture, so there is only one left.

I don't buy the argument about there being a considerable difference in age between Harry & William and the similar royals on the Continent. They are not kids anymore and when you are in your late twenties it is actually possible to be friends with someone who are older than you and who have married and settled down.

[SLV]

Originally Posted by Muhler

I don't buy the argument about there being a considerable difference in age between Harry & William and the similar royals on the Continent. They are not kids anymore and when you are in your late twenties it is actually possible to be friends with someone who are older than you and who have married and settled down.

Yes, the Swedish royals are very close in age to William and Harry, with Carl-Philip being born in '79 and Madeleine in '82. Also the Hereditary Grand Duke of Luxembourg is born in '82 as well.

[missMaryanne]

Originally Posted by eliz

muhler, thanks for your very interesting posts re frederik's attitude, depression and newly found stability in mary.
if i'm not mistaken, you said that once you thought that joachim would have been the better heir then changed your mind, like many other danes, given that f is the nost loved one of the two brothers by the public right now.
well, i have to say that frederik must have done an amazing job in growing up, becoming more secure, accepting his role etc and also showing his insecurities and being accepted and loved his insecurities notwithstanding.
perhaps it is the first time that a royal, and a future king nonetheless, opens up so much about his personal issues, and i reckon it paid off, both for frederik, who doesn't have to pretend to be different from what he really is, and for Danish people, who should get the feeling to know frederik and his inner battles well

agree.

i think frederik is brave on making public his personal issues. lots of people has the idea that being royalty is synonimous of being healthy, phisically and emotionally, and their lives are perfect. i think that humanizes him and made him closer to his fellow citizens. i also believe that mary is frederik's rock and her support makes him more mature and a better person.

muhler, how wonderful are your posts, i coudn't say it better. i totally agree with you.

[NGalitzine]

Originally Posted by Muhler

Yes, looking from this side of the North Sea, that's basically what I and many other Danes feel as well.

I've followed the debate about the guestlist in the BRF thread.
And I can't quite figure out the way the invitations have been decided on.


Okay, okay, I've seen the many arguments for this being a BRF tradition, family relations, William being the next heir after current one, there being an economic crisis going on... All of it valid points and probably true as well.
I just wish the (added: the younger members of the) BRF would start to look beyond the Channel and interact more with the other European royals.
If for no other reason than out of consideration to Kate and whoever will be Harry's wife. Kate certainly is in a unique position and there aren't that many crown princesses around, so perhaps she would like some advise? I mean, who else can she ask? William? He doesn't look much like a woman/princess to me, however supportive he may be as a husband. QEII? With all due respect, she was a princess in the early 50's.
She can't ask William's mother, she would be an obvious councellor.
Camilla? I dunno. She is, to put it mildly, in a pretty unique positions as well. A position which is very different from Kate's. Not to mention the very considerable age gap.
Then there are William's aunts? Well, Fergie is probably out of the picture, so there is only one left.

I don't buy the argument about there being a considerable difference in age between Harry & William and the similar royals on the Continent. They are not kids anymore and when you are in your late twenties it is actually possible to be friends with someone who are older than you and who have married and settled down.

The counter argument would be that if the continental monarchs wanted their children to get to know the future King & Queen of the UK they could have decided to have some of them attend in their place like the King of Sweden and the Queen of The Netherlands did. Harold and Sonja, Margarethe, Henri & Marie Therese could have stayed at home and sent the heirs or the spares to London.

[Madame Royale]

I wouldn't particularly agree with that. The continental royals (regent, heir and minor alike) have always embarked upon London when invited to do so. The British royals have always seemed somewhat reluctant to return the favour.

Most gathered at Buckingham Palace for Charles' 60th Birthday, as an example.

Charles and Camilla have made one royal visit in Europe amongst their foreign 'relations' since their wedding. Spain. Be it that that was at the request of the government.

Certainly I'm not talking of frivilous trips abroad, but if you expect people to attend a christening or a wedding or anniversary, perhaps try attending an occasion they may have once in a while.

To me it looks as though Charles was happy to undertake the mission to Spain being that it's the second most popular European monarchy in the world.

His presence elsewhere, and certainly the presence of the Duchess, has been minimal to non existant at best.

Don't get me wrong, Edward and Sophie do a fine job but enough already.

I'd much rather start seeing the second or third child of Europe's monarchs attending on their British counterparts. Justified I think and long overdue.

[dazzling]

Posts discussing monograms have been moved to the
The Danish Orders and Monograms
Thread

[Muhler]

We have some general info on Mary from Billed Bladet: Billed-Bladet - Kronprinsesse Mary på job igen

Mary will return to work for a few days in the beginning of May, before continuing her maternity leave.

On 5. May she will attend the Cancer Association's awareness campaign regarding skin cancer. That will take place on Copenhagen.

On the 8. May she will be at the Royal theatre where the yearly Reumert award will be handed out.

A couple of days later, she will be present when the President of South Korea arrive for his official visit.

Then she will continue her maternity leave until the summer cruise with Dannebrog in August.

- As I thought. That indicates strongly that M&F will not go to Monaco for the wedding there.

[marfre]

Thanks Muhler.

As you say Prince Frederik and Princess Mary may not attend the wedding in Monaco, however I think they will certainly receive an invitation. I read somewhere that Prince Albert said that members of the IOC (maybe not all) will be invited. Perhaps we may see Princess Anne attend.
I will try and locate the article.

[Muhler]

Originally Posted by marfre

Thanks Muhler.

As you say Prince Frederik and Princess Mary may not attend the wedding in Monaco, however I think they will certainly receive an invitation. I read somewhere that Prince Albert said that members of the IOC (maybe not all) will be invited. Perhaps we may see Princess Anne attend.
I will try and locate the article.

I think so too. I have the impression that they are sending out general invitations for the royal families.
My guess is that the Regent Couple and J&M will go. Frederik will remain in DK as Regent.

[Sternchen]

Hasn't it also been said, they changed the wedding date because of a schedule conflict with the IOC?

[Madame Royale]

The twins are darling, don't get me wrong, but children really can get in the way of some spectacular royal or princely occasions.

Normally now is when I'd say I'm joking, but to say that would be at least half a lie!