General News about the Danish Royal Family Part 2: January 2013 - November 2015

[camelot23ca]

Thank you for translating the article, soraya! I was able to pick through the majority of the original article in French but had missed some of the details, (the bit about Henrik trying to lose weight, "especially in the stomach" is delightful).

Henrik seems like a very urbane and charming man when he's at his best, and he and Marie seem to complement each other nicely. I've always suspected they would be natural allies, in the same way I think Mary and Queen Margrethe have a genuinely close bond.

Regarding Henrik's frustration over his title being secondary to that of his wife, well, I agree with Flowerbed - that's a result of the meaning and history behind the words King and Queen. By definition a King outranks everyone, including the Queen. I always roll my eyes when the argument comes up that not calling someone in Henrik's position King is sexist against men. Actually, it's one of the few circumstances in which men wind up disadvantaged because the history of sexism against women.

[PiaDK]

Thank you for your summary of this double interview. I really appreciate it. It's nice to get a sense of the content.

[Archduchess Zelia]

As much as I appreciate everything Henrik's done for QMII, how big a support he's been etc., I can't help but getting annoyed by him bringing up the whole title subject again. He has a title - a mighty fine one if you ask me. It's not everyone who's as privileged as him yet he keeps going on about how it's discriminating that he isn't a King. Is it really hurting his pride so much that his wife is ranked above him?

When I think "King" I automatically think of someone ranked above a Queen because that's the way it's been for so many years. The truth is that in terms of royalty and titles, he's not equal to his wife. It may sound rough but she is the monarch, and a reigning monarch and Queen can't, in my opinion, have a husband who outrank her, that's just the way it is and Henrik knew that when he married her

It's also funny to me how he's brought up the Duke of Edinburgh but I don't believe you continuously hear Prince Philip going on and on and on about his titles and how he's outranked by his wife (he might poke fun at it but that's not what Henrik is doing, he is actually still legitimately, annoyingly bothered by it).

Henrik has had a difficult relationship to the Danes and he's often been treated unfairly by the tabloids and just the average Dane really. I'm also certain that he's a nice chap and that he cares a great deal for QMII and the family. However, it does nothing good for him and his relationship to the public that he decides to drag this through the mud once more. As I mentioned before, "Prince Consort" is not a bad title, it's better than no title at all.

(All) this () being said, thank you soraya, for taking your time to do a translation of the interview

[grevinnan]

He certainly raises a legitimate question. Why are spouses of Kings titled Queens but spouses of Queens title Princes? I don't think we are going to see a change to the tradition. If there will be a change it will be to call spuses of Kings Princesses and not Queens.

[Lady Rosie]

soraya. Thank you for all the work you put in to translate the article. I too found it interesting. We often get Mary's view on various things but personally I haven't read too much from Marie.

Henrik would make a very interesting dinner guest. It seems he has embraced his life in Denmark but obviously has retained true to himself in many ways.

[Tarlita]

Originally Posted by Tarlita

PiaDK your time and effort is much appreciated. Many Thanks. Mange Tak! Merci.

I do apologise Soraya for my mistake, my thanks are to you for your time effort doing the translation.
I see in the interview that speaking French is important to this royal family and I wonder if Mary has been learning. After all French is the language of diplomacy.

[Muhler]

Originally Posted by Archduchess Zelia

As much as I appreciate everything Henrik's done for QMII, how big a support he's been etc., I can't help but getting annoyed by him bringing up the whole title subject again. He has a title - a mighty fine one if you ask me. It's not everyone who's as privileged as him yet he keeps going on about how it's discriminating that he isn't a King. Is it really hurting his pride so much that his wife is ranked above him?

When I think "King" I automatically think of someone ranked above a Queen because that's the way it's been for so many years. The truth is that in terms of royalty and titles, he's not equal to his wife. It may sound rough but she is the monarch, and a reigning monarch and Queen can't, in my opinion, have a husband who outrank her, that's just the way it is and Henrik knew that when he married her

It's also funny to me how he's brought up the Duke of Edinburgh but I don't believe you continuously hear Prince Philip going on and on and on about his titles and how he's outranked by his wife (he might poke fun at it but that's not what Henrik is doing, he is actually still legitimately, annoyingly bothered by it).

Henrik has had a difficult relationship to the Danes and he's often been treated unfairly by the tabloids and just the average Dane really. I'm also certain that he's a nice chap and that he cares a great deal for QMII and the family. However, it does nothing good for him and his relationship to the public that he decides to drag this through the mud once more. As I mentioned before, "Prince Consort" is not a bad title, it's better than no title at all.

(All) this () being said, thank you soraya, for taking your time to do a translation of the interview

I'm in complete agreement with you, Archduchess.

Personally I simply don't understand why a title should be that important to him.
I do believe the royals should adapt to the changing times, but this isn't a necessity.
I hope and believe he will be allowed to use his real name, Henri. He had to change his name to Henrik. That was pretty silly already back in the 60's. It's even more silly now.

Unsurprisingly all the major papers and news medias here in DK, focus on Henrik's "whining" about not being king. Also BT, which also focus of PH's upcoming diet and in a humorous way has recorded the development of his pondus in this gallery: http://www.bt.dk/royale/se-billedern...-tykt-og-tyndt (Notice pics #8 & 10. The Regent Couple have never been able to figure out how to walk arm in arm).

Two more pics from BT: http://www.bt.dk/sites/default/files...6/6071480-.jpg
http://www.bt.dk/sites/default/files...2-no-sales.jpg

[PiaDK]

Originally Posted by Tarlita

I do apologise Soraya for my mistake, my thanks are to you for your time effort doing the translation.
I see in the interview that speaking French is important to this royal family and I wonder if Mary has been learning. After all French is the language of diplomacy.

Yes, I didn't translate anything - I appreciated the translation :-)

[soraya]

You are welcome everyone
It was a pleasure to translate it to all of you.I know from a personnal experience that it's frustrating not to understand an article written in a language you have not learnt.
As for Henrik don't blame him too much.He belongs to an older generation who is more conservative.
As Muhler said he was even obliged to change his name into Henrik.I think he was even blamed for his bad Danish accent.Henrik was asked a question,he answered to it frankly.
Again that's a personnal opinion,for me it's only in chess that a king out ranks a queen
In the case of Sweden,I hope Victoria will give Daniel the title of King when she becomes Queen.Given all the future queens that are waiting:Estelle,Amalia,Ingrid-Alexandra,Leonor ,the question will be more debated in the future

[UserDane]

Thank you for the translation Soraya.

I second Muhler's agreement with Archduchess; finally, there seemed to be more appreciation of prince Henrik and his achievements in the media, a more lenient tone towards him - and then he, again, voices his frustrations about his title. Nothing seems to rub Danes the wrong way more than this - it is perceived as pride and vanity.

Officially, Henrik will always be number two between him and his wife, and he will never be in the succession, consequently certain official tasks fall to the heir when the reigning queen/king is not around; it's the same for all the consert queens. They can live with it, why can't he?

He has known from the start how his official role would be. To keep resenting the consequences of a choice he once took, eyes wide open, does indeed give the appearance of whining.

Such a shame really.

[tommy100]

Maybe he will have a tantrum and storm off again like last time. Then in a few months the Queen will quietly give him the title King...that is what happened last time for him to be Prince Consort isn't it?

I like the danish Royals and Henrik (most of the time) but now he just looks like a spoilt child wanting what we can't have!

[grevinnan]

Originally Posted by Tarlita

I do apologise Soraya for my mistake, my thanks are to you for your time effort doing the translation.
I see in the interview that speaking French is important to this royal family and I wonder if Mary has been learning. After all French is the language of diplomacy.

Hasn't been for a very long time. France is very irrelevant in terms of world-wide diplomacy.

[Flowerbed]

Originally Posted by tommy100

Maybe he will have a tantrum and storm off again like last time. Then in a few months the Queen will quietly give him the title King...that is what happened last time for him to be Prince Consort isn't it?

I like the danish Royals and Henrik (most of the time) but now he just looks like a spoilt child wanting what we can't have!

I don't remember if that's when he got the prince consort title, but if it was it wouldn't work this time. No amount of whining or angry outbursts would make him king. It would cause an outcry from the Danish people and I think the Queen knows that, no matter what her personal opinion is in the matter.

I too like Henrik most of the time, but he would do himself a massive favour if he stopped talking about this. His desire to be king has become a running joke in Denmark.

Someone wondered what Prince Daniel's title would be in the future and I think the most he can hope is the same as Henrik, Prince Consort. He hasn't been given the title of Crown Prince, so there's no indication he'd ever be king. CP Victoria once said Queen Margrethe was an important role model to her, so hopefully she's learned a lesson from Prince Henrik's dissatisfaction and had a long talk with Daniel about how things will be when it comes to protocol and future titles.

[camelot23ca]

To be fair, the majority of the interview was Henrik talking about topics other than the title issue. I'm not sure why he keeps discussing it at all, though - I think it's his pride that makes the issue rankle, but putting that aside, he must know there's no realistic chance of any change being made to the status quo at this point in time. He's certainly contributed a lot to Denmark, but he's gotten a lot in return, too. And, as others have pointed out, he knew the deal when he married Margrethe.

[polyesco]

Originally Posted by UserDane

Thank you for the translation Soraya.

I second Muhler's agreement with Archduchess; finally, there seemed to be more appreciation of prince Henrik and his achievements in the media, a more lenient tone towards him - and then he, again, voices his frustrations about his title. Nothing seems to rub Danes the wrong way more than this - it is perceived as pride and vanity.

Officially, Henrik will always be number two between him and his wife, and he will never be in the succession, consequently certain official tasks fall to the heir when the reigning queen/king is not around; it's the same for all the consert queens. They can live with it, why can't he?

He has known from the start how his official role would be. To keep resenting the consequences of a choice he once took, eyes wide open, does indeed give the appearance of whining.

Such a shame really.

I agree. After more than 40 years. and the jokes in the media, he should just let it go (at least publicly).

Such a shame, because the media has made it seem like the whole interview was about his "whining".

I like the joint interview from him and Marie. it gave us some great insights into the J&M household (still not letting go that Joachim belongs to the old school parenting and doesnt change much diapers)

[Muhler]

Originally Posted by polyesco

I like the joint interview from him and Marie. it gave us some great insights into the J&M household (still not letting go that Joachim belongs to the old school parenting and doesnt change much diapers)

Perhaps he's allergic to diapers? Or his chromosone composition simply prevents him from changing diapers.

But come on, it's no big deal. Even though you sometimes wonder how such a little organism can produce that much.
You simply grab the little critters by the wrists and carry them into the shower and hose them down. - They complain a little bit but they'll love you for it later on in life....

[Muhler]

Summary of article in Billed Bladet #06, 2013.
Det har været en meget dejlig aften - It has been a very lovely evening.
Written by Henrik Salling - who on this evening became nostalgic.

As you know Mary and our Marie went to see Malene Birger's jubilee show at the Royal Theatre.
Arriving in a minibus shortly before 21.00 they went in by the side entrance, normally reserved for the Monarch (who is an often seen guest at the Royal Theatre). Here they had a merry time with a number of friends.
Among them were:
Britt Siesbye, Nina Wedell-Wedellsborg, Helle Reedtz-Thott, Caroline Fleming

M&M and friends were seated on a balcony offering a first class view of the stage, where the fashion show took place. All guests had been issued fold-out binoculars - and they are pretty complicated to figure out, M&M were observed assisting each other in working out how first to unfold such contraptions and secondly how to use them...
And it's here our reporter, Henrik Salling, went nostalgic. He manage no less than two or three times in the article to compare M&M to the scene in Pretty Women, where Julia Roberts also fumble with her binoculars. (*)

After the show, the 1.000 guests were invited for an afterparty, but M&M opted to drive back to Amalienborg, where a nightsnack was waiting.

Mary said after the show: "It has been a very lovely evening".

(*) I must admit that I can't remember that scene and I've seen that movie several times.
Pretty Woman is a first class movie! - It's a great chick-flick and from a male persepctive that makes it a great score-flick. If you just play your cards right, offer a comforting arm and shoulder, look appropriately emotionally composed while you endure... I mean while you relax and enjoy the movie, this may very well turn out to be a great evening!

[FasterB]

Originally Posted by Muhler

Arriving in a minibus shortly before 21.00 they went in by the side entrance, normally reserved for the Monarch (who is an often seen guest at the Royal Theatre).

Is that Billed-Bladet, who writes that the sideentrance is normally reserved for the Monarch? It´s not true. It´s normally reserved for the royals And the simple answer is that the car will stop under a roof - therefor no rain/snow/other things coming down from the sky can touch the royals. The cobblestone are therefor also not slippery and the elevator is just next to the sideentrance

[Muhler]

Yes, in a caption. Apparantly this entrance offer direct access to the royal box.

BB is up.

[FasterB]

Yes, exactly :) But it´s normally reserved for the royals, not just the Monarch.

And IIRC then the elevator was build so Queen Ingrid could use it when she was in the theatre :)