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

[Viv]

To conclude this talk about invitations:

One of the best Danish experts on royalty - Mette von Lowzow - formerly Countess Mette Lerche of 'A royal family' fame was commenting the events yesterday on our public channel DR1. She mentioned that QEII was hosting the wedding and the early wedding reception. According to protocol she invites heads of state only. Had the PoW been hosting he'd invited the heirs apparent. The Pow did not host the main event in order to avoid any ill feelings because of the Duchess of Cornwall.
Mette Lowzow von also volunteered a few comments on the general state of the relationship between the British and the continental RFs. She interrupted herself mid-sentence .. but let it slip that Queen Mother was the culprit! The 'Huns' - eh?

Viv

[Aotearoagal]

Originally Posted by Muhler

- If that indeed is the reason why M&F are not going.

They didn't go because they were not invited.

[Muhler]

Originally Posted by Viv

To conclude this talk about invitations:

One of the best Danish experts on royalty - Mette von Lowzow - formerly Countess Mette Lerche of 'A royal family' fame was commenting the events yesterday on our public channel DR1. She mentioned that QEII was hosting the wedding and the early wedding reception. According to protocol she invites heads of state only. Had the PoW been hosting he'd invited the heirs apparent. The Pow did not host the main event in order to avoid any ill feelings because of the Duchess of Cornwall.
Mette Lowzow von also volunteered a few comments on the general state of the relationship between the British and the continental RFs. She interrupted herself mid-sentence .. but let it slip that Queen Mother was the culprit! The 'Huns' - eh?

Viv

So it was a general invitation addressed to the head of state, i.e. QMII?
As such F&M were not specifically invited?
But surely Frederik is aware of the protocol, so why did he say M&F weren't invited in that catagoric way? - Which indeed I thought was a strange way to behave on the part of the BRF.
Oh, my head hurts!

Enough of that! I hope those who did go, enjoyed the wedding.
To me the clip of the priest doing saltos outside the church, illustrated the essense of the mood that day.
It's healthy to have a feel-good-day and to forget about the financial crises and what not.
Or alternatively to have something to be grumpy about.

[Aotearoagal]

Originally Posted by Muhler

So it was a general invitation addressed to the head of state, i.e. QMII?
As such F&M were not specifically invited?
But surely Frederik is aware of the protocol, so why did he say M&F weren't invited in that catagoric way? - Which indeed I thought was a strange way to behave on the part of the BRF.
Oh, my head hurts!

Enough of that! I hope those who did go, enjoyed the wedding.
To me the clip of the priest doing saltos outside the church, illustrated the essense of the mood that day.
It's healthy to have a feel-good-day and to forget about the financial crises and what not.
Or alternatively to have something to be grumpy about.

Thanks for the explanations everyone - but the fact that two generations of the Spanish royals were invited makes me think that it wasn't just protocol. The Spanish royals are the second-to-senior royal house in terms of wealth and influence. I'd say "wealth and influence" were very much a factor in the invitation list, as essentially it is about power, trade, and world influence. After all, that's the raison d'etre for still having a monarchy ... not sentiment or a sense of history!

[Madame Royale]

but the fact that two generations of the Spanish royals were invited makes me think that it wasn't just protocol. The Spanish royals are the second-to-senior royal house in terms of wealth and influence.

Denmark: Queen Sofia, The Prince of Asturias, Infanta's Elena and Christina and their respective husbands and Ms Letizia Ortiz.

Sweden: Queen Sofia, The Prince and Princess of Asturias, Infanta Elena and Infanta Christina and husband.

England: Queen Sofia, The Prince and Princess of Asturias.

I think the invites were very much about protocol.

The Prince of Oranje and Princess Maxima represented Queen Beatrix yesterday, and Crown Princess Victoria and Prince Daniel represented King Carl XVI Gustav.

Haakon and Mette-Marit didn't go as King Harald and Queen Sonja attended the wedding.

[ricarda]

Originally Posted by Aotearoagal

Thanks for the explanations everyone - but the fact that two generations of the Spanish royals were invited makes me think that it wasn't just protocol. The Spanish royals are the second-to-senior royal house in terms of wealth and influence. I'd say "wealth and influence" were very much a factor in the invitation list, as essentially it is about power, trade, and world influence. After all, that's the raison d'etre for still having a monarchy ... not sentiment or a sense of history!

AFAIK there is no such fact.
As Viv pointed out the Queen only invited heads of states.
The head of the Spanish state is King Juan Carlos who did not attend. IMO Prince Felipe was there because he represented the king (just like the CPs of Sweden, Belgium, NL). And because the Queen of Denmark came alone there was a seat free so both his mother and his wife could come with him. After all Prince William spent some of his childhood holidays with the Spanish RF.

And the Spanish royal house is not second-to-senior in terms of wealth. Liechtenstein, Netherland, Monaco ... are wealthier. Nor is Spain a wealthier country than Denmark or Norway. It is important/influential though because of it's seize, it's history (Spanish expansion) and it's language.

[Aotearoagal]

Spain itself isn't wealthier, but the Spanish royals are much, much richer than the Danish royal family, who are regarded as relatively poor.

[Madame Royale]

much richer than the Danish royal family, who are regarded as relatively poor.

I hardly believe they are thought of as 'poor'. Certainly they do not represent that standard of living whatsoever

They are quite comfortable, not exceedingly affluent.

[Aotearoagal]

Originally Posted by Madame Royale

I hardly believe they are thought of as 'poor'. Certainly they do not represent that standard of living whatsoever

They are quite comfortable, not exceedingly affluent.

"Relatively poor" means poor in relation to the uber rich royal houses. They are poor cousins to the BRF and the SRF, and certainly poor relative to the middle eastern, Thai and other royals. They are also poor relative to Russian oligarchs and they certainly aren't in the billionaire league, as they don't own the palaces. In terms of wealth, they are indeed somewhere between the Middletons and Donald Trump. Relative to you or me, they are of course stratospherically rich!

[Muhler]

Absolutely. Compared to most European RF's, the DRF are the poor relatives.
They are after all "government employees" and hardly overpaid. - A healthy thing I believe.

If they were suddenly transformed into ordinary citizens, I think only the Regent Couple would be able to maintain a modest upper-class standard of living, financed by the interest from investments of their fortune.

M&F would certainly have to work in order to maintain a similar standard as now. Otherwise I'd estimate they would only be able to afford a fairly modest middleclass standard from their interest.

J&M have their business and the apanage they recieve is important, no doubt, but I believe they would still be able to live at Schackenborg. Probably maintaining a standard of living higher then M&F. - Joachim is no pauper.

[Sternchen]

It depends what you count, only the Apanage or only the private wealth? Or do you combine it?

[Aotearoagal]

Originally Posted by Sternchen

It depends what you count, only the Apanage or only the private wealth? Or do you combine it?

I guess you'd combine it? But not count state-owned wealth ...so apanage elements that involved the household maintenance, staff etc I guess is largely benefiting the state/heritage and not the royals themselves.

It's probably more complicated than I thought!

Originally Posted by Muhler

So it was a general invitation addressed to the head of state, i.e. QMII?
As such F&M were not specifically invited?
But surely Frederik is aware of the protocol, so why did he say M&F weren't invited in that catagoric way? - Which indeed I thought was a strange way to behave on the part of the BRF.
Oh, my head hurts!

Enough of that! I hope those who did go, enjoyed the wedding.
To me the clip of the priest doing saltos outside the church, illustrated the essense of the mood that day.
It's healthy to have a feel-good-day and to forget about the financial crises and what not.
Or alternatively to have something to be grumpy about.

I am a tad concerned that Mary may be suffering PND. She does seem flatter than usual (like the footage of Mary shopping recently on her own). Given Mary's close connection with Britain, having Scottish parents and relatives, I'm sure Margrethe would have taken Mary to the wedding in normal circumstances, because of that, because Mary is nearly as close in age to W & C as the other CPs and CPSSs, and would normally thoroughly enjoy the occasion and contribute greatly to it. PND is quite common, so it would not be a great surprise if Mary experienced it. I hope she is OK.

[eliz]

Originally Posted by Aotearoagal

I am a tad concerned that Mary may be suffering PND. She does seem flatter than usual (like the footage of Mary shopping recently on her own). Given Mary's close connection with Britain, having Scottish parents and relatives, I'm sure Margrethe would have taken Mary to the wedding in normal circumstances, because of that, because Mary is nearly as close in age to W & C as the other CPs and CPSSs, and would normally thoroughly enjoy the occasion and contribute greatly to it. PND is quite common, so it would not be a great surprise if Mary experienced it. I hope she is OK.

well, let's hope she is fully ok. i had read a story about she suffering a bout of depression the third day or so after the twins' birth and frederik fondly taking care of her, which could explain why she went all teary when mentioned the support she got from her husband when they were interviewed while going back home.
as you say, she looks a bit subdued even if she was fabulous at the christening. i just reckon that, while frederik can help a lot and most likey does help a lot with the two oldest children, he cannot really do that much with the twins. or better, he can help but mary remains the fundamental caring factor in their case.
anyhow, pnd or not, i don't think that - with two children this little - she would have gone to the wedding. and bringing v&j to london would have been quite exausting i think...

[RubyPrincess168]

Originally Posted by Viv

To conclude this talk about invitations:

One of the best Danish experts on royalty - Mette von Lowzow - formerly Countess Mette Lerche of 'A royal family' fame was commenting the events yesterday on our public channel DR1. She mentioned that QEII was hosting the wedding and the early wedding reception. According to protocol she invites heads of state only. Had the PoW been hosting he'd invited the heirs apparent. The Pow did not host the main event in order to avoid any ill feelings because of the Duchess of Cornwall.
Mette Lowzow von also volunteered a few comments on the general state of the relationship between the British and the continental RFs. She interrupted herself mid-sentence .. but let it slip that Queen Mother was the culprit! The 'Huns' - eh?

Viv

Can you please clarify the parts I've bolded?

[Sternchen]

Originally Posted by Aotearoagal

like the footage of Mary shopping recently on her own

Which footage of Mary shopping?

[missMaryanne]

Originally Posted by Aotearoagal

I guess you'd combine it? But not count state-owned wealth ...so apanage elements that involved the household maintenance, staff etc I guess is largely benefiting the state/heritage and not the royals themselves.

It's probably more complicated than I thought!



I am a tad concerned that Mary may be suffering PND. She does seem flatter than usual (like the footage of Mary shopping recently on her own). Given Mary's close connection with Britain, having Scottish parents and relatives, I'm sure Margrethe would have taken Mary to the wedding in normal circumstances, because of that, because Mary is nearly as close in age to W & C as the other CPs and CPSSs, and would normally thoroughly enjoy the occasion and contribute greatly to it. PND is quite common, so it would not be a great surprise if Mary experienced it. I hope she is OK.

i hope she's ok too.

i read that mary's coming back to work next thursday... we 'll see if she has pnd. where did you read that?

and yes, where are those shopping photos????

Originally Posted by eliz

well, let's hope she is fully ok. i had read a story about she suffering a bout of depression the third day or so after the twins' birth and frederik fondly taking care of her, which could explain why she went all teary when mentioned the support she got from her husband when they were interviewed while going back home.

as you say, she looks a bit subdued even if she was fabulous at the christening. i just reckon that, while frederik can help a lot and most likey does help a lot with the two oldest children, he cannot really do that much with the twins. or better, he can help but mary remains the fundamental caring factor in their case.
anyhow, pnd or not, i don't think that - with two children this little - she would have gone to the wedding. and bringing v&j to london would have been quite exausting i think...

where did you read that? like i said, i hope she's ok, we'll see it next thursday at Glyptotek...

[AnnaNotherThing]

I think the baby blues is different from post natal depression...and subdued at the christening, maybe that is just being overwhelmed and tense (having to wrangle four kids at a public event)...And as for 'seeing' if she has PND from photos, well that is part of the illness, that it hidden well under a facade of 'happy-happy-smiley-smiley everything is great'...It is not a physically visible illness/condition like baldness or obesity or acne...

[dazzling]

Can we move on from speculating whether Crown Princess Mary is suffering from post natal depression or any depression, further posts will be deleted.

Thanks

[antonieta]

Originally Posted by Sternchen

Which footage of Mary shopping?

Makeup shopping. You can see a litte video at Forside - SE og HØR.

[Viv]

Originally Posted by RubyPrincess168

Can you please clarify the parts I've bolded?

As much as I would like to I only have the comments of Anna von Lowzow to refer to! She is quite knowledgeable and trustworthy for a royalty expert; firstly she made the 6-part TV-series "A royal family" in 2003, secondly being a noblewoman she has special 'insider' access to the DRF!

IMO the comment about the PoW doesn't really need elaborating! There's the protocol aspect - who should invite whom to what - and then there's the "sensitivity prospect". In an ideal world the Pow should have been hosting the reception held immediatety after church, however as a co-host the 'wicked stepmother ' would have been on the receiving end of the line! As a consequence the Queen hosted the reception in stead, with all it entails protocol-wise. The Pow then hosted the private evening dinner-dance, where it was deemed that the Diana-spectre wouldn't be an issue!

Now, I'm not saying this is the gospel truth! I'm saying that this is what Anna von Lowzow said. She's usually not running about with idle speculation, but of course there's never a rule without an exception to it!

As for the Queen Mother: It's hardly a secret that the gin-and Dubonnet fuelled old dear with the flower-print chiffon dresses and Winnie-the-Pooh hats had a xenophobic streak. We on the European continent were called 'the Huns.'. !

Viv