Excerpts of interview in Se & Hør #31, 2020.
Interviewer Jacob Heinel Jensen.
Who emphasize that the interview was not conducted after an agreement by the court's PR-office. (So I guess the journalist and magazine is in bad standing now.)
The interview took place a week before Joachim fell ill.
J&M were apparently approached twice walking in the area near the chateau and it seems to me that J&M accepted a brief interview while walking. (IMO a "Arrh, yeah, okay then" interview.)
The interview is very frank! Our Marie has always been a lousy hypocrite. If she feels something is deeply unfair, she will say so.
And Joachim also manages to poke a knife in between the ribs of the reporter.
They chat with the journalist about Joachim changing his career and starting a new education at the ripe age of 50, to becoming the defense attache at the Danish embassy in Paris.
Joachim says: "It's never too late. It's a natural continuation of that class. The in depth knowledge I have gained regarding the French Defense and of course I acquainted 25 high ranking French officers in the upper echelon/leadership. So that was obvious."
Q: If we go ten years back in time, could You have imagined that this would be Your path?
J: "No. Ten years ago I was a farmer. It's a simple as that."
The reporter then asks why he has chosen this new path in life and it is here Marie breaks in saying:
"It's not always we who decide."
She declines to elaborate, but repeats: "No. But it's not always we who decide. That I think is important to know."
Q: But You do not wish to elaborate?
M: "No."
Joachim takes over: "And then there is this to say to that: That class/education, that is so unique. It's not something you can apply for. So when that fell into place, I'd say it was a natural consequence. Before I was invited to attend that class, I hadn't even heard about. Very few have."
Joachim emphasize that he has never in his life had a burning desire to live in Paris. But that's how it turned out.
Marie comes in (and this bit is IMO illuminating) in regards to them adjusting to their new life in France and she doesn't hide that it was hard:
"No, I think it has been challenging for me, because I had to support my husband and look after our children. That's what I had to do.
We must see what comes. But now of course I have to settle in. Now it's my turn. I think/feel I should think about myself now. Because I have been 100 % on for my husband and I have been looking after my children. And of course it is with delight/joy, but I must also think about the causes that matters to me."
Makes it clear she would choose Denmark as her home at any time.
"Oh, I'm so fond of living in Denmark. I loved living in Denmark. Denmark is just such a nice country to be in. Everything works (as in function) so well and there are not many problems. But I come from Paris, so to me it's nothing new. If we can move back and forth between Denmark and and France it would be nice."
Q: Is that the plan for the future?
M: We really don't know. (As in having no clue.) We were thrown into it without much thinking."
(And this is IMO illuminating as well.)
Marie explains that it has been hard for the family, not least the children to settle in France.
"It has been a very odd year, because of all that with Corona and then there has been strikes in France (Yellow Wests). So it may have been a little difficult for them to find their day-to-day life (footing). But I think they'll get there.
They speak French now. But they haven't been to school for more than three months. So it's totally crazy. It's a bit annoying for them, because it's their first year in France. But we have tried to keep up with the French and we really think they have learned a lot."
Joachim also manages to whack the journalist on the head a little.
The topic turns to the question of his apanage.
Q: Prince Joachim, there has been criticism in regards to...
J: "But that's in the past."
Q: But I must ask what You Yourself think of the criticism?
J: "No... Se & Hør are after all really good at taking the lead the critique. Do You know what would be the most fair thing?
Not writing about it."
M: "Well, it's true. It has been unfair. because he loves his country and he works for Denmark and he is so proud of being Danish and being able to help where he can. And I don't feel you should only mention what is negative. You should also mention what is positive."
Felix mentioned in a brief interview to Se & Hør last week that he considered signing up for the military after high school. (That can mean officers school, but also that he will sign up for volunteer conscription, as many who graduate from high school do.)
Joachim's face lightens up: "I'm very proud of that. he's got guts and he's got something between his ears as well. So I'll say that it of course is something that makes a military heart proud.
And that being said kindly. Also in regards to his brother, who didn't settle in there at all. So it shouldn't be forbidden for Felix to try it. I'm very proud of that."
- I have on purpose not read the translation that was linked to a few posts ago, in order not to be distracted. I know that translation is brilliant, it usually is.
And now for why I believe it's Marie who is the most unhappy about resettling.
We know that President Macron during his state visit to DK, presented an invitation to attend the staff course. And it seem clear now that this invitation was personal to Joachim. I guess there have been some sounding behind the scenes.
QMII happily passed the invitation on to Joachim, no doubt with the post as military attache as an additional reward. A perfect job for her son.
And Joachim would have reacted with a: "Yeah. Eeh. Well. Gee, thanks ma."
It may no longer have been something he dreamed about anymore.
But Queen and Country calls, so...
It would have been close to unthinkable for Joachim to say no. Declining a personal invitation from the French President? To perhaps the most prestigious staff course in Europe at a time where DK and France is stepping up the military co-operation in earnest? Joachim wouldn't turn that down. It would also go against his upbringing.
Marie however, when she heard the news...
She has settled in in DK. She has close friends here. She has her own projects and protections she feel are relevant and are passionate about.
To go to Paris, to be a diplomat-wife, in a city that really hasn't been her home since she was thirteen.
And what about the children!?! Are they to be dragged out of school and away from their friends?!?
And settling in Paris it's Marie who took care of all the myriad of details regarding settling in, looking after the children, helping them settling in (and they may not always have been happy!) and with a father they hardly see. And with a husband she only saw in the evening, completely wasted, six days a week.
I don't think you need a crystal ball to realize Marie was not happy with that arrangement!
Not only that, I think Marie is still in the stage where "everything is better back home." It will change over time and become more nuanced I believe.
I firmly believe this is how to interpret Marie's statements.
And I must admit the realization has turned the vision I had of J&M upside down.
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