Prince Joachim and Princess Marie, Current Events 3: May - September 2008

[GlitteringTiaras]

I thought she said she wasn't really into fashion? If I am correct then it makes a heck of a lot of sense for her lack of "look". Her style is obviously way too under-casual and many times she looks extremely frumpy. But hey if she's comfortable then that is all that matters, right. I just wish she would find a nicely fitted pant and wear them for once because as of late her pants seem to be ill fitting and way too tight.

As for the event itself, it's good to see her finally out and about, but I would like to see her tackle official events alone for once as well as make a long speech in Danish. I mean, it is about time already.

[ricarda]

She should have worn a blazer coordinated to her trousers and it would have make a smart outfit for a day-time appointment. However for a Gala-dinner cooked by the best cooks of Denmark in a castle she could have dressed up a bit more. So IMHO she was definately underdressed, even if we discard the short coat as not having been there. It was okay at the concert at Schackenborg but it was out-of-place here.

But then: who really cares? The lady is HRH Princess Marie of Denmark, she is beautiful, warm-hearted and charming. So she is no fashion model, but then her husband is a farmer. IMHO she is seeking her own path through the jungle of society life and so far I'd prefer to meet her than those perfectly dressed society ladies I have encountered the last 25 years...

In her pre-wedding interviews Marie said that she loves fashion, so it's hard for me make sense out of her obvious "faux pas". But then Marie has an agenda, at least in my opinion.

IMHO she does not want to be compared to both Mary and Alexandra and fashion is a topic very much related to these two ladies. We don't know what Joachim thinks about this topic, but as he himself is always impeccably dressed I guess he has his own experiences with a utmost elegant wife and does not need to repeat them if Marie feels differently. As for Mary: I got the impression Marie likes her and the feeling is reciprocated. Thus I think Marie will spare her and herself the contest, especially as "fashion" is not a topic people in Denmark tend to enjoy.

I do not agree with all your comments.
First, it was not a gala dinner, it was a show/presentation dinner - according to the official calendar. We don't know how formal/informal it was. And whether Marie was under-dressed or not. (To me she looks well dressed and I like the blouse.)
Second, her husband is not just a farmer, first of all he is a prince. She has to keep up to the royal standard.
Third, it is my personal impression that people in DK enjoy the topic "fashion".

But I agree that Marie probably doesn't want to be compared with A&M. She seems to know her place and has no intention to start a contest - which adds to my good opinion of her (she is not Sarah Ferguson after all ).
I think she is still trying to find her own way/style which should be adequate for her new role but at the same time comfortable for her personality.
IMO the "business lady at day, barbie princess at night" style of Alexandra - which I personally always detested - would not suit her at all. To me it seems as if Marie is somewhere between Mary's modern and more unusual style and Alexandra's conservative (not to say old-fashioned) style.

Originally Posted by GlitteringTiaras

As for the event itself, it's good to see her finally out and about, but I would like to see her tackle official events alone for once as well as make a long speech in Danish. I mean, it is about time already.

There was an article in Billed-Bladet which stated that she will not take over patronages any time soon. So I think we will see her more out and about with Joachim. And no long speeches in Danish, she is still learning the language. Obviously the court does not think it is about time.

[GlitteringTiaras]

All of the Princesses do the whole "Business lady by day, Barbie princess by night" number, so it obviously doesn't simply apply to the Countess alone.

Second, so far, in my opinion, Marie hasn't kept up with royal standards as of late, in the truest sense. She has and as the court has said, has no plans on tackling events solo. As a royal representative, or any for that matter, one would expect a person in that rep position to perform a duty...solo. Not just accompanying her man every single time. Yes, I am fully aware that she may not be all that comfortable speaking Danish nor taking on any patronages of her own as of late, but my heavens it's the middle of September already. When will she feel comfy? At this point, I doubt she will in the near future hence by 2011.

So, if she wants to stand by her man and only attend official events with him then at least she could do is look the part and not look so frumpy all the time. By the way, how much are she and her husband receiving again from the taxpayers?

[giov]

Originally Posted by biboquinhas

Sorry but the outifit is horrible, the blouse is horrible and that troussers and that jacket didn't match at all...

I totally agree! An awful combination. The blouse is really ugly, IMO.

[ricarda]

Originally Posted by GlitteringTiaras

All of the Princesses do the whole "Business lady by day, Barbie princess by night" number, so it obviously doesn't simply apply to the Countess alone.

It does not apply to the countess alone, but I disagree, not all princesses do this particular kind of fashion number.

Originally Posted by GlitteringTiaras

Second, so far, in my opinion, Marie hasn't kept up with royal standards as of late, in the truest sense. She has and as the court has said, has no plans on tackling events solo. As a royal representative, or any for that matter, one would expect a person in that rep position to perform a duty...solo. Not just accompanying her man every single time. Yes, I am fully aware that she may not be all that comfortable speaking Danish nor taking on any patronages of her own as of late, but my heavens it's the middle of September already. When will she feel comfy? At this point, I doubt she will in the near future hence by 2011.

So, if she wants to stand by her man and only attend official events with him then at least she could do is look the part and not look so frumpy all the time. By the way, how much are she and her husband receiving again from the taxpayers?

Joachim's apanage increased with 900.000 DKK upon his marriage - not that much if you ask me.
On the one hand I understand your concerns but on the other I have questions like: When did Alexandra perform her first duties alone, when did she give her first long speeches in Danish? This is not a rhetorical question, I would really like to have an answer. IIRC she took her first patronage (Girls Choir) in June 1996, more than half a year after the wedding, so I don't see a problem with Marie having none after not yet 4 months.

And, by the way, when did Letizia, future queen of Spain, attend her first solo events? It might very well be Marie&Joachim will follow in the Spanish couple's footsteps, they still have to convince the Danes of their love and marriage (according to a poll ~50% think they will divorce).

I don't think Marie has reached the royal standard yet - and I didn't say so, but I think it's too soon to judge.
And I really don't think she looks frumpy all the time.

[bbb]

The lady is HRH Princess Marie of Denmark, she is beautiful, warm-hearted and charming. So she is no fashion model, but then her husband is a farmer. IMHO she is seeking her own path through the jungle of society life and so far I'd prefer to meet her than those perfectly dressed society ladies I have encountered the last 25 years... thank you, jo of palatine, lovely sentiments, well said

....but i'm not digging the outfit, it looks like something i'd wear to my historical society meeting, OMG i just realized....i look frumpy. joachim looks dapper, very nice- gosh he just seems to be so happy and "glowy" (best word i can come up with, sorry The jacket IMO looks like a raincoat, this new style of high pants tucked in IMO does no woman any favors in the flattering department, marie's just a wisp of a woman and it puts 10 lbs on her middle JMO
lovely color on her and it's sweet with the tie thing matching. if i were going to a chef tasting i would have worn something loose, so i could eat, eat, eat.

i like marie and don't blame her for wanting to take her time and get the lay of the land before jumping in with both feet. Her husband adores her, they have a lovely life in the country, beautiful s-sons, and a lot of changes in a short time, i'm sure she's doing the best she can(JMO)

marie has a certain style, simple and charming, chic but this isn't a good example of her taste

"Business lady by day, Barbie princess by night" exact job description for a tough role (not to mention big shoes to fill and a sister in law with a BIG shadow)

[sneeuwklokje]

Marie should really start doing something by now. It's almost a year since she became engaged and what does she have to show for?? Rien du tout, nothing, zero. She should have been in the Princess school a year ago, not after being married for 4 months. I don't want to sound like I am having the knives out for her, because I don't, but, woman sort yourself out and DO something. She is playing the coy little girl, but she's a grown up adult. I can understand that her Danish isn't perfect, but hey, most Danish people speak English I suppose, so she could go out and do engagements on her own. Sooner or later she will be pregnant and that will give her another year or so for doing nothing!!

[katie1001]

Marie is not the Crown Princess, she will never have Mary's workload. She will probably have a role more like the wives of second sons of monarch's. Mostly joint appearances and limited solo roles. Also when Alexandra married into the Danish Royal House, I think she was treated like the Crown Princess. Being the first younger princess in decades. About her fashion, I liked the outfit. It seemed appropriate for the occasion and the matching tie was a nice touch.

[biboquinhas]

Well fashion apart I also think that she should start to do something!!!! To me being a Royal is a job these days, Royals need to work for their country, having benefits for that yes but they need to to something. Not only having good homes, good castles and sitting all day doing nothing!!! They live because the country says so and because the country supports them so they need to give something back. Marie is married to a royal so she has lots of advantages, she has a good live, she doesn't work, she doesn't support herself, so she needs to give back to those who support her luxurious live

[carlota]

i think she just needs some time to decide what she will concentrate on. it's just normal that this process is taking longer than it did for mary, for example, or for alexandra. marie is just the princess, and also, let's not forget, second wife. the expectations of the first princess in years have been covered by alexandra and now mary takes on quite a huge workload because she is the crown princess (which alexandra reduced when frederik married). marie has none of these 'expectations' and probably not much staff to sort out requests and activities for her to do. i'm also waiting impatiently to see what she decides to cover in her role, but also quite understanding of the fact that her role may not be such. marie may be more suited to be along her husband and support his activities instead of taking on completely new ones as well or may not be given a list of patronages such as mary has, that's something the danish court will decide and we just have to wait to see what happens.
in any case, i'm sure she will do a good job. she has only been married for 3 months, which included her honeymoon and the royal summer vacation.

[Jo of Palatine]

Originally Posted by biboquinhas

Well fashion apart I also think that she should start to do something!!!! To me being a Royal is a job these days, Royals need to work for their country, having benefits for that yes but they need to to something. Not only having good homes, good castles and sitting all day doing nothing!!! They live because the country says so and because the country supports them so they need to give something back. Marie is married to a royal so she has lots of advantages, she has a good live, she doesn't work, she doesn't support herself, so she needs to give back to those who support her luxurious live

IIRC the court said that she is at the moment an apprentice of being a princess. She does the occasional appearance, of course, but the most important job for her at the moment is to learn the ropes of being a princess of Denmark: learning the language and the culture of the country she is now a representative of. She has her whole life to gives something in return and I don't see her as being idle or only aiming at enjoying her position. The German-language newspaper of Northern Schleswig, which is the Southern part of Denmark where Marie lives now at Schackenborg, reported that the princess already has shown interest in the countryside there and they are happy about it and with her. So there's a start already.

[pamk]

Originally Posted by biboquinhas

Sorry but the outifit is horrible, the blouse is horrible and that troussers and that jacket didn't match at all...

Totally agree. There is something very cheap in the quality of Marie's clothing - the fabrics and the styles. That trench coat is totally out of place at this event - a lovely wrap in lightweight wool would have looked so much better. A pretty daytime dress with a wrap would have been nice too.
Marie dresses way too informally for these official events she has been attending - Joachim in his suits and ties and Marie in her informal outfits --- like a Dad and his teenage daughter.
I have a feeling that Marie is pretty immature for her age -

[GlitteringTiaras]

Originally Posted by ricarda

And, by the way, when did Letizia, future queen of Spain, attend her first solo events?

No clue; especially since I don't follow the couple that closely nor the Royal House of Spain in general, so I'm the wrong person to direct that question too.

[Duke of Marmalade]

Originally Posted by GlitteringTiaras

No clue; especially since I don't follow the couple that closely nor the Royal House of Spain in general, so I'm the wrong person to direct that question too.

I will help you out GT
Letizia, a CP unlike Marie, had her first solo event in November 2004 (6 months after her wedding) but only but accident, as Felipe had to fly abroad to attend a funeral. So instead of cancelling the royal appearance they sent Letizia alone. Her first official solo event only happended in October 2006, almost 2 1/2 years (!) after her wedding (she did 2 speeches inbetween but Felipe was present). From that perspective plenty of time for the second wife of the second son of the Danish Queen to get familiar with her duties.

But, back to topic Marie, hopefully she will start her solo activities much earlier than that.

[LadyFinn]

Photos:
Pure People/PHOTOS : Quand Joachim et Marie de Danemark sont les invités des grands chefs… quel menu royal !!!
Click for full screen.

[acdc1]

Not trying to get things too off topic here, but Letizia was also a native of Spain, and she knew the language and the culture. Marie's most important task at the moment, IMO, is to get acquainted with her new country: learn and become fluent in Danish, know the culture, meet the people. The solo events, official patronages, etc. will follow soon, I know it.

[Hedvig]

Originally Posted by pamk

There is something very cheap in the quality of Marie's clothing - the fabrics and the styles.

I sometimes remember the good old advice of "What not to wear": Never wear colour with black, it makes you look cheap. Probably she should ditch the black pants and black skirts style.

[Lilla]

I really don't think Princess Marie looks cheap. I don't like her outfit that much - but it is far away from looking cheap.

[marmi]

Originally Posted by carlota

i think she just needs some time to decide what she will concentrate on. ...... i'm also waiting impatiently to see what she decides to cover in her role, but also quite understanding of the fact that her role may not be such. marie may be more suited to be along her husband and support his activities instead of taking on completely new ones as well or may not be given a list of patronages such as mary has, that's something the danish court will decide and we just have to wait to see what happens.
in any case, i'm sure she will do a good job. she has only been married for 3 months, which included her honeymoon and the royal summer vacation.

True, but I would like to see more of her consistently now. Marie could attend events for a wide range of 'causes' and then narrow down her focus after 6 months or a year of marriage.

Originally Posted by Jo of Palatine

IIRC the court said that she is at the moment an apprentice of being a princess. She does the occasional appearance, of course, but the most important job for her at the moment is to learn the ropes of being a princess of Denmark: learning the language and the culture of the country she is now a representative of. She has her whole life to gives something in return and I don't see her as being idle or only aiming at enjoying her position. ...

It is important that she is learning about Denmark, but I still feel that maybe she could prioritise the language and take on some more events or public appearances, and the rest can come gradually. Just MO, for what its worth.

Originally Posted by Duke of Marmalade

I will help you out GT
Letizia, a CP unlike Marie, had her first solo event in November 2004 (6 months after her wedding) but only but accident, as Felipe had to fly abroad to attend a funeral. So instead of cancelling the royal appearance they sent Letizia alone. Her first official solo event only happended in October 2006, almost 2 1/2 years (!) after her wedding (she did 2 speeches inbetween but Felipe was present). From that perspective plenty of time for the second wife of the second son of the Danish Queen to get familiar with her duties.

But, back to topic Marie, hopefully she will start her solo activities much earlier than that.

Originally Posted by acdc1

Not trying to get things too off topic here, but Letizia was also a native of Spain, and she knew the language and the culture. Marie's most important task at the moment, IMO, is to get acquainted with her new country: learn and become fluent in Danish, know the culture, meet the people. The solo events, official patronages, etc. will follow soon, I know it.

It did take Letizia awhile to start doing her own events, but as I understand it once the engagement was announced she began her 'work' from that day forward? Correct me if I'm wrong, I just remember reading something like that somewhere.
It comes back to the fact that all the royal houses and princesses are different

[Viv]

Why all the worries about Maries clothes? Take it easy, folks! We've got one fashion princess already !