Mary Donaldson, Current Events 1: September 2002 - May 2004

[Dennism]

Yes, comparison to the other women. Too bad that she feels that. I thought she was fairly confident before but that is it. She is in a new situation and she is nervous and a result of that could be the losing of weight. Stress. I thought of that. But I eat more if I am nervous. Ha ha ha. :P

[monos26]

I've heard that many people have a problem with her-why is that?

I've heard rumours about people not liking Mary-why is this?

[mgrant]

Well said Jacquline and Dennism. I can see where she would be stressed. The public opinion alone would wear me out :P not to mention trying to learn the ins and outs of being royal and the protocol that goes with it all. Add to that a royal wedding! I'd have no hair from pulling it out and no nails from biting them off

[paulette]

Originally posted by monos26@Apr 28th, 2004 - 12:32 pm
I've heard rumours about people not liking Mary-why is this?

I think all people experience losing of weight at a certain point in their life. May it be the effect of too much pressure, stress or just a personal will to be thinner and slimmer.

In Mary's case, I think she slimmed down because she is not yet immuned to a life of a future very important royal. It's pressure added with all the protocols she has to learn and live by after the 14th of May. Think about all the people who criticise her and those who praise her. Sort of confusing but maybe after a few months of being a princess when she's married, then she might gain weight.

One can't also please everyone because we are all unique and we hate and love different persons. There are persons who don't like Mary 100% and there are those who really like her.

[Asma2]

I think Mary looks just OK. I don’t think that she lost that much weight. To me she’s fine.

[paulette]

from the www.heraldsun.news.com.au

Tongue tied over talk task


AS she prepares to marry Denmark's crown prince, Australian Mary Donaldson says she is finding it hard to learn her fiance's mother tongue.

She confessed yesterday that, in private, the two converse in English.
"There are many difficult things about the Danish language. The pronunciation is hard," Ms Donaldson said in an interview shown on Danish TV network DR-1.

She spoke in Danish with a noticeable accent.

Crown Prince Frederik will marry Ms Donaldson on May 14 at Copenhagen's Lutheran cathedral.

The 32-year-old will become the first Australian woman to stand in line to become a queen.

"It takes a long time to learn to speak Danish because many Danes also speak English very well," she said.

When the couple are together, "we do speak a little bit of English . . . when I should be practising Danish," she said.

The interview was part of a documentary about the future crown princess made for the Danish Broadcasting Corporation. It will air on May 10.

[paulette]

from www.smh.com.au

A few more things about Mary

It has been an untroubled ascent so far for the girl from Hobart about to become a bona fide princess, writes Andrew Darby.

Once upon a time on the island of Tasmania, far, far away at the bottom of the world, was born a girl who would become European royalty.

The birth notice of February 5, 1972 in a Hobart newspaper was brief: "Donaldson. At QAH to John and Etta, a daughter (Mary Elizabeth)."

On that day, too, a 115-year-old shipwreck was found off Tasmania's west coast. A trade union official called Brian Harradine was in trouble with the ALP again. And the Eastside drive-in offered "pagan worship and virgin sacrifice" in When Dinosaurs Ruled the Earth.

Auspiciously for the Aquarian newborn, it was also the first day of the Royal Hobart Regatta, a water sports carnival tightly bound to the imperial past.

Thirty-two years later Senator Brian Harradine remains an enigma, but the regatta is much reduced in prestige, the drive-in gone, the shipwreck forgotten. And Mary Elizabeth's star has risen.

On May 14 in an afternoon ceremony she will marry Crown Prince Frederick of Denmark. Ahead of the wedding of the first Australian-born woman to stand in line to be queen, here are 10 things to know about Mary:

 She won't be Tasmania's first princess. The kindly Pauline Curran of Hobart in 1926 married Prince Maximilian Melikoff, of the Romanovs, the exiled Russian Royal Family. Princess Melikoff died in 1988, bequeathing a substantial legacy to save "the whales and the baby seals".

 Like many Tasmanians, Donaldson learnt to travel early and make new friends in strange places. When she first went to pre-school it was in Houston, Texas, where her mathematician father was teaching.

 Back in her birthplace soon after, she joined the same public education ladder of many solid middle-class Hobart families who either were not wealthy, or rejected the private system. Sandy Bay Infants School, Waimea Heights Primary (motto: Ever Onward), and Taroona High School are all small institutions with great outlooks over the Derwent, open to a world beyond their grounds.

 When education got serious, she didn't stray far from her solid brick suburban home. Mary stayed in the state system at Hobart Matriculation College, and then at the University of Tasmania, each nearby in safe Sandy Bay.

 She had a bit of physical hardness to her. Small and wiry in build, her best remembered sports were hockey and horse-riding. Women hockey players take no prisoners in Hobart. On horseback she took on the gruelling combination of dressage and jumps in one-day eventing.

 She has had boyfriends, but they haven't talked, and neither have her two sisters who still live here. Sandy Bay's pubs and clubs have been well trawled. The only memories to appear are vague and complimentary, along the lines of: "You knew when she walked into a room that she was something special. Not Nicole Kidman sexy. More Jackie [Kennedy]."

 One other person can rival her for colourful Danish-Tasmanian history. In the 19th century Jorgen Jorgensen helped colonise Hobart, took part in an Anglo-Danish war, spied for England, led an overthrow of Danish rule in Iceland, and returned to Hobart a convict.

 Her marriage will link Mary to most royal households of Europe. They will have the good fortune to be tied to at least one dinkum Australian tradesman. Her sister Patricia, a nurse, recently married a Hobart plasterer, Scott Bailey.

 Frederick appears to have had one early win. Mary put her foot down against sailing when they were in Hobart last. Their wedding will be preceded by a match race in Copenhagen in which she will sail against her husband.

 Her wedding dress may not be the only costume of curiosity to the Danish. If her father follows his recent Hobart precedent, he'll wear a kilt.

[Jasl]

Yes I've always heard about the other princess... I think an Australian also married an Indonesian or some other south-east Asian prince, so Mary is not the first. But when she becomes queen, she will be the first Australian.

[sarkastik_devil]

Originally posted by Jasl@Apr 30th, 2004 - 12:31 am
Yes I've always heard about the other princess... I think an Australian also married an Indonesian or some other south-east Asian prince, so Mary is not the first. But when she becomes queen, she will be the first Australian.

yes Jasl, an australian married a balinesse prince i think, i once read in a magazine somewhere.

[paloma]

I know that there are those that do not like Mary and those that are at least willing to give her a chance to prove herself. I am new to this board and have been observing all of the reactions to the engagement of Mary and Frederik. I have a couple of questions for any of you that may know. Was HM QM pleased with Frederiks choice of a wife? Publically, Mary and HM seem to get on quite nicely, however, there can be great differences in public versus private feelings. QM seems to genuinely care for and respect Alexandra. I just wonder if it is the same with regards to Mary? Thank you for any information.

[Jasl]

I'm sure QM respects Alex, but there is actually lot more interaction and smiling between Mary and Margarethe than Alex and Margarethe. I also think Henrik, from what he said in the PDV interview, respects and appreciates Mary a lot too. And yes, I also see more smiling/ interaction between Mary and Henrik for that matter than Alex and Henrik. But again, this is just what we see, which may not tell the whole story. But that QM does not like Mary is as believable as saying QM does not like Alex - we just don't know.

[Alexandria]

Originally posted by Canonette@Apr 30th, 2004 - 6:32 pm
I'm sure QM respects Alex, but there is actually lot more interaction and smiling between Mary and Margarethe than Alex and Margarethe. I also think Henrik, from what he said in the PDV interview, respects and appreciates Mary a lot too. And yes, I also see more smiling/ interaction between Mary and Henrik for that matter than Alex and Henrik. But again, this is just what we see, which may not tell the whole story. But that QM does not like Mary is as believable as saying QM does not like Alex - we just don't know.

Do you have evidence or proof that Queen Margrethe seems to like or prefer Mary over Alex? These are heavy points to make without substantial evidence to support these beliefs, with only just a few pictures and "looks" from pictures or videos as evidence of neopotism by the Queen towards her daughter-in-laws.

I think that from what few pictures we have seen of the Queen and Mary interacting, it may seem like the Queen smiles more to Mary or more interaction because Mary is just starting to learn the ropes of being a member of the royal family. And as the Queen has grown up with the kind of life Mary is just stepping into now, the Queen may be helping and guiding her; whereas Alexandra has had nearly 10 years as part of the family and doesn't need the guidance (or as much) as Mary does at present.

Also, from the most recent occasion, the Queen's 64th birthday, there were more opportunities for the Queen to give Mary meaningful looks or to smile at her more as they were standing next to each other on the balcony. Alexandra was way at the end, watching her sons, with the Queen 2 people remove from her (Joachim and Henrik). Hard to shoot someone smiles or meaningful looks when they're that far away from you.

[Jasl]

No I am saying no one will know. So a poster saying "QM does not like Mary in private" is just as insubstantial as saying QM does not like Alex. I'm saying that the question posed is almost impossible to answer by any posters (unless that poster is Qm or Mary or knows them well).

Hope that explains it

[SpiffyBallerina]

I honestly don't think QMII would let her son marry just anyone and have just anyone become the next queen of her beloved country, so she must KINDA like Mary :P ! The whole mother-in-law/ daughter-in-law relationship is very complicated normally, so I'd imagine it's weird but tolerable here too. Also, I have no idea why someone might think that QMII doesn't really like Alex. Who doesn't love Alex :flower: !? Has QMII ever commented on her children, grandchildren, and/or in-laws????
~Kathleen

[Bubbette]

She is looking *much* better--more relaxed, happpier.

[Asma2]

By the way, she is wearing very similar blouse that I have. It costs me circ. $50.

[montecarlo]

May 3, 2004 - The Copenhagen Post

Sweet Charity for Mary Donaldson

Inspired by a similar project in Sweden, Denmark's 1000 associated bakers and confectioners will begin a DKK 1.5 million fundraising drive to establish a foundation for disadvantaged children in Mary Donaldson's name. Organisers hope that Crown Princess Mary will lead the foundation, which has been designed as a wedding gift in her honour. "The idea sprung from our realisation that the royal couple's gift list lacked something of lasting value, with a meaningful, future-oriented perspective. And since the newspapers are dominated every day with stories of attacks on children, I thought this was a good idea," said Humlebæk master baker Thomas Jørgensen, the man behind the Mary Foundation initiative. In order to raise startup funds for the new charity, participating bakers and confectioners will raise prices on their best-selling breads and cakes by DKK 2.50, and then match that amount for every product sold.

[paulette]

from the Sunday Tasmanian

Advice for royal couple
By PAUL POTTINGER


DENMARK'S Crown Prince Frederik and his Australian wife-to-be Mary Donaldson are receiving pre-nuptial counselling ahead of their May 14 wedding.

One of Denmark's most senior clerics, Bishop of Copenhagen Erik Norman Svendsen, is providing advice to his future king and queen.

Although the eyes of the world will be focused on the Danish capital in a fortnight's time, Bishop Svendsen insisted that the royal wedding will be like any other in the almost entirely Lutheran country -- but with "an unusually large number of guests". The bishop admitted the Tasmanian-born Miss Donaldson had made an enormous impression upon him.

"She seems bright, independent and mature. And they are both very clearly in love, as well they should be," he said.

"We speak Danish together, as it's important to the Royal Court and to Mary Donaldson personally.

"But there are some terms relating to the sacrament of marriage that can be difficult to understand in Danish, and which I have had to translate into English."

Apart from discussing the practical considerations of the ceremony -- which will take place in central Copenhagen's Vor Frue Kirke -- Bishop Svendsen said sanctity of marriage had been on the agenda.

Half of all Danish marriages end in divorce.

"We've also talked about what it means to live a married life, and the seriousness of the marriage vow, which as we all know ends with 'til death us do part'," Bishop Svendsen said.

"You can't talk about the meaning of the ritual without taking into account that so many marriages end in divorce.

"A royal couple can get divorced like anyone else, and I doubt the public outcry would be as great today as it might have been a generation ago.

"But this is a mature, well-educated couple, and I think that adds up in their favour.

"They both have a strong cushion of life experiences, and that gives them a good chance to establish a relationship based on mutual respect."

[paulette]

from news.com.au

Family heads to Denmark for royal celebration
By HEATHER LOW CHOY
May 3, 2004

THE family of Tasmanian princess-to-be Mary Donaldson left Hobart yesterday, bound for royal wedding celebrations in Denmark.

Ms Donaldson is to marry Crown Prince Frederik in a lavish ceremony in Copenhagen on May 14.

Her sister Patricia Bailey, husband Scott and their children Michael, Maddison and Mollie were excited about their trip to Denmark.

Mrs Bailey told reporters at the airport she had not spoken to Mary for a while.

"She is quite busy getting herself organised. I'm sure she's a bit stressed and excited," Mrs Bailey said.

While the wedding will be run strictly according to royal protocol, the Tasmanian relations intend combining the formal celebrations with a family holiday.

Mr Bailey said he was hoping they would have a "great time" and see as much of Denmark as they could.

Mrs Bailey said there were functions planned and she had to pack a few dresses.

Mary's immediate family is part of an expanding contingent of Tasmanians travelling to Copenhagen for wedding celebrations.

Several of Mary's cousins are believed to have left for Copenhagen at the weekend.

A female cousin told friends she had received an edict from the palace that she bring three formal gowns with her.

It was decreed at least two of these gowns should fall from waist to floor.

The Danish palace had instructed that female guests were to wear attire that covered their shoulders to watch the royal couple exchange vows in a Copenhagen cathedral, Mary's cousin said.

This edict suggests Mary's wedding gown will be modestly cut, and have sleeves of some kind.

Incat boss Bob Clifford also left Tasmania at the weekend, bound for a pre-wedding celebration in Copenhagen to be hosted by Governor-General Michael Jeffery.

Mr Clifford, who has long had business links with Denmark, said the upcoming royal nuptials certainly had not hurt his chances of improving business relationships there.

It is believed an executive representing a Tasmanian-based wind farm components manufacturer is also on his way to Copenhagen for the Governor-General's function.

Meanwhile, an upmarket English china company has produced a plate and cup to commemorate Denmark's royal wedding. Chown China's commemorative pieces feature a central portrait of the couple in full colour, embellished with gold wattle and lily of the valley.

The Royal Coat of Arms is in full colour at the top of the plate. A kangaroo and elephant form part of the design.

The china can be ordered from the Chown China factory in Hayle, Cornwall.

The Mercury

[Jasl]

Has anyone got any photos of the Defence Force march today? I'm DYING (gee that word looks weird in caps :P ) to see photos of the first day of the wedding activities!!!! :woot: :woot: :woot: