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

[Muhler]

Dronning Margrethe har mistet nær ven | BILLED-BLADET

The Regent Couple have reached the age when friends die away.

That is now the case for the very close friend of the Regent Couple reverend Peter Parkov.
He was almost invariable invited when the DRF celebrated Christmas and Easter at Marselisborg. And he often went to Chateau Cayx.
So this is no doubt going to cast a shadow over the Christmas celebrations this year.
Peter Parkov was 78. - He has previously had cancer.

The Regent Couple are expected to leave for Aarhus on the 21st.

[FasterB]

Originally Posted by Muhler

Dronning Margrethe har mistet nær ven | BILLED-BLADET

The Regent Couple have reached the age when friends die away.

That is now the case for the very close friend of the Regent Couple reverend Peter Parkov.
He was almost invariable invited when the DRF celebrated Christmas and Easter at Marselisborg. And he often went to Chateau Cayx.
So this is no doubt going to cast a shadow over the Christmas celebrations this year.
Peter Parkov was 78. - He has previously had cancer.

The Regent Couple are expected to leave for Aarhus on the 21st.

This is sad news

[Roskilde]

As the year comes to an end Billed Bladet has created a 25 minutes long video with clips from the year 2015. Enjoy. Many great moments during the year

VIDEO: Året i kongehuset 2015 | BILLED-BLADET

**

A remarkable observation I've done those weeks where our Crown Prince Couple are away on a private Christmas trip with Mary's family in Australia. It's a good opportunity to see how active and busy a calender Frederik and Mary have and how much they have already taken over.
It's Frederik's and Mary's many weekly events (including Margrethe's in periods) which dominates the DRF's royal calendar. This becomes extra evident in these weeks where the Crown Prince Couple are away - the DRF's calendar is remarkably empty these weeks when F&M's events can't fill the calendar.

Kalender - Kongehuset

[Roskilde]

TV2's annual "The Year in The Royal Family" has just ended.

I always prefer DR's programs over TV2's. This year was better than the previous year though. There is still too much unnecessary talk about nothing. But less talk than previous years.

The large main focus was on the The Regent Couple/The Crown Prince Couple. Also Princess Isabella and Prince Christian got a nice part hence Isabella's first official event on the Samsø trip and our future Crown Prince's 10th birthday.

Then there was nonsense about dresses, Princess Marie's breast implants, Prince Henrik's endless complaining about not being King was debated. Not a word about Alexandra and Martin's divorce.

You will not miss much by not see it, but it was actually good enough. Good reportage of the Regent Couple and the Crown Prince Couple's work and official trips. From The Regent Couple's summer cruise in Greenland to unseen clips from working trips with both Crown Prince Frederik and Crown Princess Mary.


ADDED:
TV2 has uploaded 5 of their most delightful clips from the year which was also shown during the programme tonight.

Video 1: Prince Consort Henrik
Video 2: Frederik and Mary in Germany
Video 3: Vincent cheering at cows
Video 4: Margrethe and Henrik in Greenland
Video 5: Christian, Bella, Vincent, Josephine at the Hubertus Day

Se listen: Fem finurlige kongelige øjeblikke - TV 2

Video 5 is precious of Vincent and Josephine playing together on the balcony

Video 2 may be that one I smiled most of. In May, The Crown Prince Couple were together on a business tour to Germany. But it can sometimes require patience to be at work with the wife, especially when she is a very social and folksy one who did her best for greeting ALL the attendance

[polyesco]

those are some very cute clips
especially of the Josephine and Vincent playing on the balcony and then on the doorway Christian grabbing the twins

cute video of them in Germany, they both proved quite popular. the trip had many fans

[Muhler]

Here are a number of pictures of the DRF during the Christmas holiday at Marselisborg.
I haven't got time to comment right now though.

Kongelige til højmesse i Aarhus: Athena holdt mormor i hånden | BILLED-BLADET
Prinsesse Athena og lille prins Henrik var med familien til julegudstjeneste | BILLED-BLADET
Marselisborg slot - Spotted

[Muhler]

Right, while M&F have been enjoying the sunny weather in Australia, the rest of the DRF have enjoyed the rain... (Not nearly as bad as in Britain though!)

And true to form QMII has gone to church every Christmas Day:
Dronning Margrethe kom alene til højmesse | BILLED-BLADET
Here on Second Christmas Day (26th) which is an official holy-day here in DK.
And I guess she is attending Sunday service as this is written.

Joachim and our Marie, as well as Marie's mother, Francoise Grasson and her husband Christian Grasson.
So I guess they've all been speaking French throughout Christmas.
The whole family went to service in the afternoon on the day of Christmas Eve, on the First Day of Christmas there are usually a few missing, but not this year.
Mademoiselle Athena arrived holding hand with her mormor, Francoise, while bette Henrik, very appropriately, held grandpapa Henrik's hand.

The children don't appear to have been playing at any nearby playing ground to Marselisborg, but then it really has rained quite a bit.
There are no reports in the local papers about royal sightings I have been able to find.

But fortunately there is the Royal Lifeguard.
When QMII change residence outside of Copenhagen a platoon accompany her and they are mainly selected from conscripts who live in that part of the country, in the case Jutland. And in the gallery posted above there is a little story about parents from the mid-Jutlandic town of Herning, who came to see their daughter stand guard for Her Majesty.
- While the parents (not to mention the grandparents!!!) are understandably bursting with pride and the conscripts usually pretty pleased to see mum and dad and it can be a liiiittle bit embarrassing though. http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ZGzcdKiYa1...enborg+040.JPG
(This woman did it with both her sons and realized - afterwards - that she perhaps acted a little embarrassing. )
- In contrast to say the British guardsmen the guardsmen of the Royal Lifeguard are allowed to look around if need be, in fact they are supposed to. They are after all the first line of defense.

Let's have a look at Aarhus Cathedral. Build right after the Reformation it's the longest church in DK. Build from brick it's a very massive structure without too much unnecessary decoration in line with the more stern interpretation of Christianity that was slowly being introduced after the Reformation.
Perhaps FasterB can add some details?
https://www.cabinn.com/sites/default...DSC_8330_0.jpg
http://images1.cdn.k.dk/sites/defaul.../06/289563.jpg
https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikiped...om-Orgel-3.jpg
http://www.tourblogger.ru/sites/defa...nd_denmark.jpg
http://images1.cdn.k.dk/sites/defaul...12211941_0.jpg
http://www.votivschiff.de/dfbc888a4d...rke%201720.jpg

[Duke of Marmalade]

How about some gossip at the end of the year
Margrethes mareridt: Kongefamilien i opløsning - Herognu

The DRF is dissolving!

-Henrik embarrasses Margerthe (that's true for sure)
-Henrik has to give up on his dream (his sons don't bother with wine)
-Joachim gives up Schackenborg/Jutland area to live a jet set life in Copenhagen
-Mary's stepmother missing at Margrethe's birthday festivities
-Frederik and Joachim and their families are avoiding each other: Joachim missed Graasten (preferred to go on holiday in France) while Frederik missed Christmas (preferred to go on holiday in Australia)
-Alex divorcing Martin, upsetting her sons.

[Muhler]

Nothing like a good bad story, eh?

Well, apart from Susan Moody who IIRC was legally excused due to serious illness in the family and J&M and M&F actually being together for by far the most years at Gråsten and Marselisborg - there is some truth in these headlines. But to conclude the DRF is breaking apart? I think you have to be employed at a gossip magazine to seriously think that.
They sure don't come knocking on each others doors all the time, but some families work better that way.

[eya]

Originally Posted by Duke of Marmalade

How about some gossip at the end of the year
Margrethes mareridt: Kongefamilien i opløsning - Herognu

The DRF is dissolving!

-Henrik embarrasses Margerthe (that's true for sure)
-Henrik has to give up on his dream (his sons don't bother with wine)
-Joachim gives up Schackenborg/Jutland area to live a jet set life in Copenhagen
-Mary's stepmother missing at Margrethe's birthday festivities
-Frederik and Joachim and their families are avoiding each other: Joachim missed Graasten (preferred to go on holiday in France) while Frederik missed Christmas (preferred to go on holiday in Australia)
-Alex divorcing Martin, upsetting her sons.

The DRF is dissolving! What "nice" people with "good" word for everyone

[polyesco]

Originally Posted by Duke of Marmalade

How about some gossip at the end of the year
Margrethes mareridt: Kongefamilien i opløsning - Herognu

The DRF is dissolving!

-Henrik embarrasses Margerthe (that's true for sure)
-Henrik has to give up on his dream (his sons don't bother with wine)
-Joachim gives up Schackenborg/Jutland area to live a jet set life in Copenhagen
-Mary's stepmother missing at Margrethe's birthday festivities
-Frederik and Joachim and their families are avoiding each other: Joachim missed Graasten (preferred to go on holiday in France) while Frederik missed Christmas (preferred to go on holiday in Australia)
-Alex divorcing Martin, upsetting her sons.

First through three are correct somewhat.
Does Mary's stepmother have to go to the Queen's birthday, especially if she had an illness in her family.
This is the first Christmas Frederik and Mary have not spent in Denmark so no need to hit the panic button. These couples don't have to be best friends, they get along just fine and see each other the whole year . Frederik and Joachim recently went to a soccer game with their sons.
Number 5 is true too and I wish nothing but the best for Nikolai and Felix .

[Muhler]

Summary of article in Billed Bladet #53, 2015.
Written by Ken Richter.

Who spend part of his Christmas standing outside Aarhus Cathedral.

In the afternoon on 24th the whole family went to Christmas at the cathedral, and as always the church was filled to the max, 1.300 seats. The DRF however, have their own little space.
When the DRF left the service as the first, the congregation stood up.
On the 25th it was again time for a service, this time too mademoiselle Athena and bette Henrik were there. PH, the French guests and the children left early, while QMII, Joachim and Marie stayed for communion.
But on the 26th QMII went alone.

It was a small Christmas celebration at Marselisborg this year. Only the Regent Couple, J&M with children and our Marie's mother, Francoise Grassiot with husband Christian Grassiot.

https://app.box.com/s/06h5crsg2hz174c0cmlmvs6ehqdsdiv2
https://app.box.com/s/x67uzpwg5y0hq6ligl3ygv9vzg76vsbl

The DRF had also invited 40 homeless for Christmas dinner at the Amalienborg complex.

[Muhler]

This article should perhaps be placed elsewhere, but here we go.

Kronprins Frederik forbereder sig på at skulle være konge: Sådan skaber han sig sit eget netværk - Royale | www.bt.dk
BT has an article saying that Frederik is establishing his own network for when he is taking over as king.
As evidence they put forward the guest-lists at the recent royal hunts (where you are invited to attend) compaing PH, Frederik and Joachim each hosting a hunt.

And glancing over the names and titles they are indeed very different.

Joachim is easiest. That took place in Southern Jutland, so on the guest-lists were a number of locals. Mayors, local editors and predominantly local businessmen.

PH's lists consist of old friends, nobles well established older businessmen.

Frederik's list consist of a representative from the government, from the environment, a number of what I will label current businessmen and personal friends.

- So yes, Frederik was out hunting with his network, but I'll claim it is by now well established and not being created.

[TLLK]

Originally Posted by Muhler

Summary of article in Billed Bladet #53, 2015.
Written by Ken Richter.

Who spend part of his Christmas standing outside Aarhus Cathedral.

In the afternoon on 24th the whole family went to Christmas at the cathedral, and as always the church was filled to the max, 1.300 seats. The DRF however, have their own little space.
When the DRF left the service as the first, the congregation stood up.
On the 25th it was again time for a service, this time too mademoiselle Athena and bette Henrik were there. PH, the French guests and the children left early, while QMII, Joachim and Marie stayed for communion.
But on the 26th QMII went alone.

It was a small Christmas celebration at Marselisborg this year. Only the Regent Couple, J&M with children and our Marie's mother, Francoise Grassiot with husband Christian Grassiot.

https://app.box.com/s/06h5crsg2hz174c0cmlmvs6ehqdsdiv2
https://app.box.com/s/x67uzpwg5y0hq6ligl3ygv9vzg76vsbl

The DRF had also invited 40 homeless for Christmas dinner at the Amalienborg complex.

Muhler-I'm not a Lutheran so I'm not familiar with their services. Could you please explain something to me? Does the communion service happen after the regular one? Or was this just a good time for little Henrik and Athena to leave with their maternal grandmother?

[MidwestMom]

On the Frederik et Mary site, there is an announcement that on March 15 there will be a grand ball at Christiansborg to honor those involved in Danish culture. The last such ball was held in 2009. Tiaras! Ball gowns! I hope Mary wears either her pink dress from the formal portrait or the blue one she wore to the Swedish wedding last summer. It should be a treat for royal watchers.

[Nordic]

Originally Posted by MidwestMom

On the Frederik et Mary site, there is an announcement that on March 15 there will be a grand ball at Christiansborg to honor those involved in Danish culture. The last such ball was held in 2009.

http://kongehuset.dk/nyheder/aftense...unst-og-kultur

The attendance of F&M isn't mentioned.
They did attend the one back in 2009. As did Joachim and Marie.

[Muhler]

Summary of an intereting article in Billed Bladet #04, 2016.
Written by Dorte Quist & Ulrik Ulriksen.

Who are comparing the different styles of Frederik and Joachim when on the job.
Now, BB's articles are invariably angled in a positive light, but the observations are nevertheless interesting.

They have based this particular comparison on Frederik presenting the Danish Tech Challenge Award and Joachim presenting an annual award, the Initiative Prize for small and medium sized businesses.

Frederik is being described as "having a bit of rock'n'roll over him" at such events, while Joachim is described as "always well-prepared and confident".

When Frederik posed with the award winners it was almost like he was a part of the winning team.
While Joachim "feel at home when he is in the company of the top of Danish commerce".

Frederik was in fine form, and script in hand he delivered a good speech. "The speech was good but it was actually more after the speech the Crown Prince Frederik showed himself as a strong communicator. Here he used his fine social skills to talk to the entrepreneurs of the competition face to face. He made an enormously good impression on everyone and and in an effective manner put focus on the event that was followed closely by several TV-networks".

As for Joachim, the very influential chairman of Danish Industry (DI), Lars Mikkelgaard-Jensen said: "It's my clear impression that Prince Joachim is pleased with representing Danish commerce. He is making an effort and is well informed about the business, about the prizes on the market. Whatever it is about.
He seem genuinely interested in the field. And the Danish businesses thinks he is doing well. We certainly often get feedback to DI from businesses that they are pleased with his interest and dedication".

But Frederik as well receive praise from businesses. When he visited South Africa, Thor Thorøe from Cocoa Factory said: "He really opens doors for us here in South Africa. And then he's simply a fantastic personality/character".

Joachim is in the article described as being more dry and correct in he appearance but that has its advantages. He has a very dry wit.
"Joachim's speeches are always very eloquent, well practiced with the correct intonations and there are no eh's or fumbling with papers during the speech.
He has the surplus to look out on the audience and the Prince often interject a funny remark underway".

[polyesco]

thank you Muhler an interesting read.
It's clear both are well knowledge in Danish Businesses and are assets.

I agree Frederik has improved in his speeches but his real strength is talking one on one. When he goes around to the individual booths and presentations putting the focus on them and making them feel at ease.

Joachim as well is well prepared

[Muhler]

Billed Bladet is spoiling us this week!

There are no less than four interviews.

Two short interviews.
One combined Frederik and PH, talking about their love for sailing and about Christian sailing.

One with Joachim talking about Schackenborg and what the plans are for the Schackenborg Foundation.

A long and great interview with a former driver for Frederik IX, full of
anecdotes.

And finally a very long and pretty personal interview with our Marie.
Which I look forward to translating in full.

- So a little patience is needed I'm afraid.

And as this is going to preoccupy me I'll leave all other news about the DRF over this weekend to other posters. No need to cover the same subjects, eh?

[Muhler]

Right, let's get to work.

Summary of article in Billed Bladet #05, 2016.
Written by Ulrik Ulriksen.

This is really an excerpt from a book by Flemming Vitus on the occasion of Royal Danish Yacht Club's (KDY) 150th anniversary.

In what must have been last summer he interviewed Frederik and PH aboard Dannebrog about their love of sailing.

PH: "It's a lovely sport because you are away from the daily life. On the water you have to struggle against the elements, against the wind, the competitors and yourself".

About Frederik he says: "He is doing really well in several classes. The Crown Prince is very skilled. We have only been sailing against each other a very few times. Perhaps two or three times in the Dragon-class (two man crew) and he has I think beaten me two or three times. Sort of in round figures".

Frederik: "At the large races in Europe we usually have Dannebrog as a base. It's a fantastic platform. Of course we sit in the evening over dinner talking about who had the best start. Naturally we also need to be fully informed about who is leading the race. And then we have to go around the options for the next day of sailing.
Sailing wasn't a part of my life as a child. I remember there was a bit sailing in a dinghy (small, one man sailing boat mainly for children) on Esrum Lake (next to Fredensborg). But that was very limited and I wasn't persistent enough.
When I was between 11-13 I sailed with KDY in Skovshoved (small town) with the juniors. That was alright but it didn't catch on until the early 90's where I was a mate on my father's boat. Then I became very interested.
I found out that this was something special. Because it was exciting to sail and at the same time it's fun".

M&F and the Regent Couple are expected to attend when KDY celebrates it's 150th anniversary in the Opera on the 13th May this year.

About Christian.
Frederik: "We are very attentive about his well-being and joy about sailing".
PH: "I have a couple of times talked with him about sailing and he seem very fond of sailing. That's good at that age, but I have not yet seen Prince Christian sail".
Frederik: "Christian has been doing this sport for a couple of years, so it's difficult to sat anything about his potentials. - I often go with him to training, where we often talk about it. And it's very important for him that he has my backing".
Frederik adds that Christian is more bold in a boat than Frederik was at that age.