General News about the Danish Royal Family Part 3: November 2015 - August 2021

[Stefan]

Originally Posted by Muhler

That's a very good point.
QMII will be in need of a "consort" when on state-visits. It's hard enough as it is, but even harder on your own. And indeed, who better than Frederik?
l

That's true but for example King Olaf of Norway always went alone on State Visits. Also then Queen Beatrix made some alone and other she was accompanieby both Willem-Alexander and Máxima which i find the better solution then QMII and Frederik.

[JR76]

Originally Posted by Muhler

PH, while very popular for extended periods, was a bit, how to put it, unsteady in regards to how he defined his role and even crucial IMO, while people had confidence in him as consort (most of the time) I doubt very much that feeling was extended to include him in the role as acting head of state.

I agree. Even if he became increasingly popular with the Danes it was always a bit like the naughty uncle you have fun with at parties. Also by the time he was about the same age as Queen Ingrid when she was made rigsforstander he was running of to France to sulk something that IMO disqualified him forever.

[Tatiana Maria]

Originally Posted by Muhler

The royal experts seem to agree that this is a part of a modernization of the DRF, including gender equality.

What are the royal experts referring to? I can't see what is new regarding gender equality, seeing as other women (Princess Benedikte and Queen Ingrid) have acted as Rigsforstander and the only man to have been in the same position as Crown Princess Mary (that is, Prince Henrik) never did.

[Muhler]

Originally Posted by Tatiana Maria

What are the royal experts referring to? I can't see what is new regarding gender equality, seeing as other women (Princess Benedikte and Queen Ingrid) have acted as Rigsforstander and the only man to have been in the same position as Crown Princess Mary (that is, Prince Henrik) never did.

You are right.
And like I mentioned, I don't agree with them.

Also because Mary is "merely" a crown princess, while PH after all was a consort.

[Tatiana Maria]

Originally Posted by Muhler

You are right.
And like I mentioned, I don't agree with them.

Also because Mary is "merely" a crown princess, while PH after all was a consort.

That is also true. I understand you don't agree with them, I am simply curious about why the royal experts see it in that manner.

[Muhler]

Originally Posted by Tatiana Maria

That is also true. I understand you don't agree with them, I am simply curious about why the royal experts see it in that manner.

Okay, I see.
Sorry that I haven't got time to translate this, but Google translate has become very good now, so perhaps it will make sense anyway.

Here are two articles from BT found in a hurry. But you can find similar articles in Berlingske.dk, DR.dk and TV2.dk.
https://www.bt.dk/royale/eksperter-d...e-prins-henrik
https://www.bt.dk/royale/kronprinses...rigsforstander

[Somebody]

In combination with the recent announcement about the children's international schooling experience and Muhler's suggestions in that topic, this move could have very well been made to prepare for a (soft) handover of sovereign duties.

With Joachim and Marie being shipped away (and not looking that likely to return), (Frederik &) Mary taking a three month family break and the queen's upcoming 80th birthday right afterwards, Mary's appointment as potential rigsforstander would come in handy when it's Frederik who is the official regent (or king) in the near future. In that way, his mother already paved the way for him to have his wife fill in for him.

[wartenberg7]

Originally Posted by Muhler

You are right.
And like I mentioned, I don't agree with them.

Also because Mary is "merely" a crown princess, while PH after all was a consort.

I think the Crown Princesse´s character and personality is much more balanced and mature (and dignified!) than the late Prince´s one - obviously even the RF has recognized that.
This decision has nothing to do with the current position of the certain person in the RF (in that sense you could argue, Mary will be a Queen while H. was a "mere" P. consort), but with his/ her capability to perform the task (Benedikte or Joachim are not consorts nor will they ever be, still they were granted the job!).

[Mbruno]

Originally Posted by Hans-Rickard

That's true. As far as i know, she has never left that door open, that she would abdicate if she becomes in very bad health instead of just appointing Frederik "Regent" for the time being....

Perhaps PH's dementia and death has had her reconsider what to do in that case ? 🤔 Only QMII knows....

QMII has always been adamant about the position of Queen being a "job for life". In connection with that, she also often mentioned her own father, who stayed on the job until he passed away, implying that is what she plans to do too. I find those statements very signifcant, so I would be surprised if she changed her mind and decided to abdicate.


There is of course a legal alternative to abdication if the Queen finds herself in poor health, and that is to make Frederik a permanent regent. In Sweden, the Instrument of Government has a provision under which, if the King is prevented from exercising his duties for more than six consecutive months, the Parliament, upon being officially notified of that fact by the government, can decide if the King is deemed to have abdicated, which would in practice trigger the succession. I don't think Denmark has any similar legal provision though (the Danish experts may clarify that), so , in principle, there doesn't seem to be any upper limit on the duration of a regency.

[An Ard Ri]

Its a great honour on the Crown Princess with this appointment.

[Somebody]

Originally Posted by Mbruno

There is of course a legal alternative to abdication if the Queen finds herself in poor health, and that is to make Frederik a permanent regent. In Sweden, the Instrument of Government has a provision under which, if the King is prevented from exercising his duties for more than six consecutive months, the Parliament, upon being officially notified of that fact by the government, can decide if the King is deemed to have abdicated, which would in practice trigger the succession. I don't think Denmark has any similar legal provision though (the Danish experts may clarify that), so , in principle, there doesn't seem to be any upper limit on the duration of a regency.

Liechtenstein has had a regent for 15 years now, while his father remains head of state as 'fürst'. An important difference however might be that the role of the fürst/regent is far more 'involved' in Liechtenstein's day-to-day business and less ceremonial. But at least, there are examples of lengthy regencies in Europe.

Originally Posted by wartenberg7

I think the Crown Princesse´s character and personality is much more balanced and mature (and dignified!) than the late Prince´s one - obviously even the RF has recognized that.
This decision has nothing to do with the current position of the certain person in the RF (in that sense you could argue, Mary will be a Queen while H. was a "mere" P. consort), but with his/ her capability to perform the task (Benedikte or Joachim are not consorts nor will they ever be, still they were granted the job!).

I'd say that Joachim and Benedikte being in the line of succession was their main qualifying factor; and therefore makes more sense to me than allowing a foreign born married in member of the family to function as head of state. Theoretically, they could become the Sovereign themselves, something that a consort cannot.

I agree with you that her character and personality -and her behavior over the last 15+ years- surely play into this decision.

[Muhler]

Do you remember Jim Lyngvild?
The designer who made the busts of QMII, Frederik and Mary and the portrait book of all the queens and kings of Denmark.

He has gotten a personal Christmas card from the DRF, and as the super-royalist he is, he is more than delighted!
He will however not disclose what the card said.
https://www.facebook.com/jim.lyngvil...99039943498988

[Muhler]

This is the yearly DRF review by DR1: https://www.dr.dk/drtv/program/aaret...gehuset_158476
Click the red "afspil nu" to view.

Not sure if you can see it outside DK and lasting 1½ hour it's a bit too long for me to have time to write a running commentary, but enjoy the clips.

[gerry]

Originally Posted by Muhler

This is the yearly DRF review by DR1: https://www.dr.dk/drtv/program/aaret...gehuset_158476
Click the red "afspil nu" to view.

Not sure if you can see it outside DK and lasting 1½ hour it's a bit too long for me to have time to write a running commentary, but enjoy the clips.

Mange tak Muhler but DR1 has used geoblocking to keep non Danes from enjoying this particular product.

Originally Posted by Muhler

Do you remember Jim Lyngvild?
The designer who made the busts of QMII, Frederik and Mary and the portrait book of all the queens and kings of Denmark.

He has gotten a personal Christmas card from the DRF, and as the super-royalist he is, he is more than delighted!
He will however not disclose what the card said.
https://www.facebook.com/jim.lyngvil...99039943498988

I love how the card continues the Nisse theme of the DRF instagram posts this month. Once again, the Queen's creativity shines into our livingrooms and inspires us all to follow her examplel I will also be making some Nisse for my Christmas table for sure.

[wartenberg7]

Originally Posted by Somebody

I'd say that Joachim and Benedikte being in the line of succession was their main qualifying factor; and therefore makes more sense to me than allowing a foreign born married in member of the family to function as head of state. Theoretically, they could become the Sovereign themselves, something that a consort cannot.

I agree with you that her character and personality -and her behavior over the last 15+ years- surely play into this decision.

Theoratically, may be. But in reality we all know this will never happen. And the CPss as the wife of the future King is in reality much closer to the throne than B. or J.! (would you argue that the sons of late Prince Knut were better qualified to be members of the danish privy council than Queen Ingrid, which originally was a "foreigner", too...?!).
When you state the 2 persons we talk about are better "qualified" to act as Head of state- which they, other than the late Prince Henrik, did in the past, than the current CPcss only because they are "royal born" and as consequence automatically fit for the job, I cannot agree on that at all.

[HereditaryPrincess]

Originally Posted by Muhler

Do you remember Jim Lyngvild?
The designer who made the busts of QMII, Frederik and Mary and the portrait book of all the queens and kings of Denmark.

He has gotten a personal Christmas card from the DRF, and as the super-royalist he is, he is more than delighted!
He will however not disclose what the card said.
https://www.facebook.com/jim.lyngvil...99039943498988

Now that's one happy man! It's lovely that the DRF sent him a personal card for Christmas.

[Muhler]

Some of you may recall Søren Haslund Christensen, former Chief of Court from 1989-2003.

https://www.bt.dk/samfund/kongehuset...aert-at-opleve

He had a very defining influence on Joachim and Frederik when they were young, in particular Frederik.
He was a confidante, counselor, role-model and at times a substitute parent.

Today at age 86 he is so severely affected by Alzheimer that he is basically lost to the world. He is now residing in a nursing home, because in 2016 his wife for 50 years had to give up, she no longer had the strength to care for her husband.

A sad end for a good man. May he find peace before the worst stages of Alzheimer sets in.

[polyesco]

The similarities between Crown Prince Frederik and his grandfather King Frederik IX
https://www.dr.dk/tjenester/viden/20...jg3jciPK6sGjxA

[Muhler]

https://www.a4nu.dk/artikel/kongehus...forhindre-salg

Two Danish orders have been put up for sale on eBay, leading the court to take actions.
These two orders belongs to Ordenskapitlet i.e. the department under the DRF that administer orders that have are or about to be presented, as well as those that are returned upon the death of the recipients.
As these orders are deemed to be genuine the court has contacted eBay demanding the auction being stopped.

Orders over a certain level belongs to Ordenskapitlet, the Master of the Order being the at any time sitting Monarch. When they are presented it is with the condition that they are returned upon the death of recipient.
Orders under a certain level is the property of the recipient and can as such be freely inherited, given away or sold as the owner see fit.

[ashelen]

Originally Posted by Muhler

https://www.a4nu.dk/artikel/kongehus...forhindre-salg

Two Danish orders have been put up for sale on eBay, leading the court to take actions.
These two orders belongs to Ordenskapitlet i.e. the department under the DRF that administer orders that have are or about to be presented, as well as those that are returned upon the death of the recipients.
As these orders are deemed to be genuine the court has contacted eBay demanding the auction being stopped.

Orders over a certain level belongs to Ordenskapitlet, the Master of the Order being the at any time sitting Monarch. When they are presented it is with the condition that they are returned upon the death of recipient.
Orders under a certain level is the property of the recipient and can as such be freely inherited, given away or sold as the owner see fit.

Wow, some still in ebay! hummm should I get one?