Princess Alexandra, Current Events 3: April 2006 - March 2007

[princess olga]

Originally Posted by Moonlightrhapsody

From what I can remember, for sure her title of 'Her Highness' will be downgraded to 'Her Excellency' after remarriage to anyone else. However, I don't think she'll lose her state-supported income; I think the terms is she's on the civil list for the rest of her life. Someone correct me if I'm wrong.

I hope for Alexandra that you're right. Imagine having to choose between your 'royal' career and rebuilding your life/marrying a new love. Not very nice!

[norwegianne]

Originally Posted by Moonlightrhapsody

From what I can remember, for sure her title of 'Her Highness' will be downgraded to 'Her Excellency' after remarriage to anyone else. However, I don't think she'll lose her state-supported income; I think the terms is she's on the civil list for the rest of her life. Someone correct me if I'm wrong.

You are correct. However, if she remarries, she will have to pay income tax of the state supported income. (Which basically means that it will be halved, or something like that, as Denmark has a fairly steep income tax)

[Larzen]

Also she will have to pay VAT on all purchases which is like 22-23%? Last year she got more than 400 000 DKR in VAT return, back. She also would have to pay property tax. And she would be classed as "top-Tax" ie pay maximum tax of her income. The tax specialists says that finacially it would be crazy for her to marry.
http://ekstrabladet.dk/underholdning...icle193642.ece
http://ekstrabladet.dk/underholdning...icle158747.ece

[HenrikaB]

Originally Posted by princess olga

I hope for Alexandra that you're right. Imagine having to choose between your 'royal' career and rebuilding your life/marrying a new love. Not very nice!

I guess I must be a dyed-in-the-wool romantic because for me there would be no contest if I were to have to choose between a 'royal' career and marrying what I perceived to be the love of my life.

[royaltywatcher]

Originally Posted by Larzen

The tax specialists says that finacially it would be crazy for her to marry.

What a horrible situation to be in and what a terrible choice to have to make. It looks like the second round of losses is worse than the first, financially if not socially. The Danish royal family should have compensated Princess Alexandra to the degree that she would be whole after a remarriage, although from what I understand the Danish royal family really doesn't have that much money.

[HenrikaB]

Originally Posted by royaltywatcher

What a horrible situation to be in and what a terrible choice to have to make. It looks like the second round of losses is worse than the first, financially if not socially.

I guess it depends on what your priorities are in life. I place LOVE above everything else. I've never felt that money confers happiness; but I feel that sharing your life with that special someone certainly does.

Also, I've known married women who were comfortably well off and decided to divorce their mates because they were unhappy. These women ended up with men who were struggling financially but found that what they got from the relationship was worth more to them than the previous financial security.

Perhaps this is the situation that Alexandra now finds herself in(?).

[Larzen]

Originally Posted by royaltywatcher

What a horrible situation to be in and what a terrible choice to have to make. It looks like the second round of losses is worse than the first, financially if not socially. The Danish royal family should have compensated Princess Alexandra to the degree that she would be whole after a remarriage, although from what I understand the Danish royal family really doesn't have that much money.

The danish royal family has already been more than generous, she got a huge house for free, a one time amount of money from Joachim (several millions dkr) she got a title and a state allowance to keep even if she remarries. What more should they do? She was plaine Alexandra Manley before she married, she got all the Princess stuff trough her marriage, they could have taken it all away with the divorce, they did not.

[Heidi P.]

Originally Posted by Larzen

The danish royal family has already been more than generous, she got a huge house for free, a one time amount of money from Joachim (several millions dkr) she got a title and a state allowance to keep even if she remarries. What more should they do? She was plaine Alexandra Manley before she married, she got all the Princess stuff trough her marriage, they could have taken it all away with the divorce, they did not.

True. Don't forget she is still the mother of the two young heirs to the throne. The Danish Royal Family cares very, very much about how these two children grow up. I doubt they would let the boys grow up in a lifestyle that is not fit for a future King.

[royaltywatcher]

Originally Posted by Larzen

The danish royal family has already been more than generous, she got a huge house for free, a one time amount of money from Joachim (several millions dkr) she got a title and a state allowance to keep even if she remarries. What more should they do? She was plaine Alexandra Manley before she married, she got all the Princess stuff trough her marriage, they could have taken it all away with the divorce, they did not.

True, but Princess Alexandra earned all the princess perks through her service and her sheer suitability to the role, and what I find disturbing about the divorce is that as a result of it she is just not as important, although lots of people may continue to admire her (and I do). She is fading away, but at least she should not have to make a choice between what remains of her former life and remarriage to someone that deserves her (but I don't think Martin is that guy, and I thought they broke up anyway).

[princess olga]

Originally Posted by Larzen

The danish royal family has already been more than generous, she got a huge house for free, a one time amount of money from Joachim (several millions dkr) she got a title and a state allowance to keep even if she remarries. What more should they do? She was plaine Alexandra Manley before she married, she got all the Princess stuff trough her marriage, they could have taken it all away with the divorce, they did not.

Excellent points. If we want to feel sorry for anyone, Alexandra's not the best candidate. My view of her gets cloudy now and then because I like the woman. But in many ways, she's got her cake and she's eating it.

Originally Posted by royaltywatcher

True, but Princess Alexandra earned all the princess perks through her service and her sheer suitability to the role, and what I find disturbing about the divorce is that as a result of it she is just not as important, although lots of people may continue to admire her (and I do). She is fading away, but at least she should not have to make a choice between what remains of her former life and remarriage to someone that deserves her (but I don't think Martin is that guy, and I thought they broke up anyway).

And you also have an equally valid point here. Alexandra gave ten years of her life to the royal family. But then, we all take risks in life that we don't know will or will not pay off in the end. I'd vote that her takingthe risk of moving to Denmark has paid off: she's gained incredibly hard to come by status by just showing up to the event for the past decade, lived in a huge house with a hunky husband who gave her two sons and a sum of money to boot when things didn't exactly go according to plan with the marriage. Now she has another big, free house, can do with herself whatever she wants, and if she shows up once every week to be the center of attention at one event or another, she gets a TAX FREE salary fit for a royal indeed.

Now I'm not saying this to in any way diminish how we think of her, after all SHE's never complained about anything, she's gone on with her life and made the best of it in such a discreet way, if Diana were still around I'd say to British 'princess of hearts' : now THIS is how you should have behaved after leaving Charles!

I'm not sure either that she is fading away. The reality just is that she is no longer a member of the royal family.
I for one am one of her big fans as I find her elegance and sophistication of a very rare quality, Jackie Kennedy-esk if you ask me, so I'd vote for a higher profile of this marvelous lady, but again the reality is she's no longer the brother of the heir to the throne's wife.

[Larzen]

Originally Posted by royaltywatcher

True, but Princess Alexandra earned all the princess perks through her service and her sheer suitability to the role, and what I find disturbing about the divorce is that as a result of it she is just not as important, although lots of people may continue to admire her (and I do). She is fading away, but at least she should not have to make a choice between what remains of her former life and remarriage to someone that deserves her (but I don't think Martin is that guy, and I thought they broke up anyway).

The Princesss perks arrived the day she married not because she earned them. actually I find it very natural that she is fathing out, she is not so important anymore, she is not the wife of the Prince, she is not the daughter in law if the Queen, however she will always be the mother of the Princes but her role is significantly smaller now. Joachim is the Prince by birth, son of the Queen, brother of the futuere King, and no matter how "perfect" a divorce might look from the outside having your ex around is not always what he might want. Not to speak of if he remarries on day, so on gala dinners he will sit there with both his wife and his ex wife at the same table?

Alexandra is very, very clever with the press, maybe the best in the family. Around the divorce she worked like never before she made 3 or 4 travles abroad in a very short time (which is not common in the Danish family, just look at the agenda) all which got her even more symphaty as the oh so hard working dedicated poor Princess married to the Party-drinking-cheating-Play-boy-Prince. Well in hinsight it was not so black and white.

I personally think it would be more elegant of her to get a fulltime job in UNICEF or the red cross, Danish industri or something like that and withdraw from the Princess duties. Just my oppinion.

[princess olga]

Originally Posted by Larzen

The Princesss perks arrived the day she married not because she earned them. actually I find it very natural that she is fathing out, she is not so important anymore, she is not the wife of the Prince, she is not the daughter in law if the Queen, however she will always be the mother of the Princes but her role is significantly smaller now. Joachim is the Prince by birth, son of the Queen, brother of the futuere King, and no matter how "perfect" a divorce might look from the outside having your ex around is not always what he might want. Not to speak of if he remarries on day, so on gala dinners he will sit there with both his wife and his ex wife at the same table?

Alexandra is very, very clever with the press, maybe the best in the family. Around the divorce she worked like never before she made 3 or 4 travles abroad in a very short time (which is not common in the Danish family, just look at the agenda) all which got her even more symphaty as the oh so hard working dedicated poor Princess married to the Party-drinking-cheating-Play-boy-Prince. Well in hinsight it was not so black and white.

I personally think it would be more elegant of her to get a fulltime job in UNICEF or the red cross, Danish industri or something like that and withdraw from the Princess duties. Just my oppinion.

Totally, totally agree with your assessment of the situation, Larzen. I have to say I haven't seen a more seemingly accurate summary analysis of Alexandra and her situation and role in the Danish royal fold than yours. In recent years, I for one have been drinking the coolaid Alexandra's been feeding the press--even despite the fact that when it comes down to modern royalty, it would be hard to find a more cynical watcher sometimes, than me. Agree with you Alexandra's been very very clever about the way she's depited in the press--she'd be an excellent PR planner!

Agree also about her getting a real job for the likes of Unicef--she's still young, her boys will need her less and less, she's got a great public profile so hopefully she'll be able to step up to the plate in the future and do something with the experience she's gathered being a spokesperson of sorts for the Danes, and mold it for a worthy goal.

[HenrikaB]

Originally Posted by Larzen

Not to speak of if he remarries on day, so on gala dinners he will sit there with both his wife and his ex wife at the same table?

I agree, it would be de trop if she is still around with the 'princess' label once he remarries.

Originally Posted by Larzen

I personally think it would be more elegant of her to get a fulltime job in UNICEF or the red cross, Danish industri or something like that and withdraw from the Princess duties. Just my oppinion.

I totally agree and think that this is a very good idea. I'm just wondering why I didn't think of it myself.

[grevinnan]

Alexandra is the most glamorous of the danish royal house. She has enough of money to attend to her family and her organizations of which she is the patron. No need to work for money. She may very well get a high profile position with UN or one of its organizations. In the meantime she is raising two young boys. She is living the life of the wealthy upper class woman she is.

[royaltywatcher]

Originally Posted by Larzen

Joachim is the Prince by birth, son of the Queen, brother of the futuere King

I don't disagree with your analysis, but although the process may be natural it is also sad, and it is a real lesson to those who marry princes on their tenuous claims to royal status. (Princess Mary, Princess Letizia, you'd better behave!)

So Joachim (ugh, yuck), continues on as "prince by birth", which sadly is what he is, but Alexandra, although possessing true royal character is now considered more properly employed with a charity organization. I guess the de-princessing of Alexandra is complete, and in record time.

I also notice a common theme with Princess Diana and Princess Alexandra--their works were considered altruistic when they had royal status, but as soon as that status was gone, they weren't so great, they were just good at manipulating the press. I really don't know why anyone bothers doing good works if this is how it all ends up.

[Australian]

Originally Posted by royaltywatcher

I really don't know why anyone bothers doing good works if this is how it all ends up.

Maybe they did their good works for personal satisfaction, and never really did it for their title or what they would get at the end of it. I really think, well at least in Alexandra's case, that the good works she did/does was for personal satisfaction, not only because it's her royal duty.

[royaltywatcher]

Originally Posted by Australian

Maybe they did their good works for personal satisfaction, and never really did it for their title or what they would get at the end of it. I really think, well at least in Alexandra's case, that the good works she did/does was for personal satisfaction, not only because it's her royal duty.

I do believe that Princess Alexandra did her public works for the satisfaction of it; I think that she really embraced the role. I don't think she expected a reward (being Princess was its own reward) but I also don't think she expected the dismissal, followed by the downgrading of her performance from princess to press manipulator.

I think that this is a microcosm of the sort of thing that women do to themselves all the time. Why can't we just stick to the simple truth, that she was great at what she did, and not rewrite history because she doesn't have an important husband anymore?

I know I'm really on the soapbox tonight.

[Lamyah]

I think the downgrading comes when you are no longer directly representing a royal house, but still garner press attention & public devotion. Its almost like why can't you just disappear, why are you still on the public eye, getting all the acalaid only a 'real' princess should get. Its the very archaic image of women that has yet to change, in particular a royal/former royal woman & her place in public vs. private life.

[princess olga]

Originally Posted by Lamyah

I think the downgrading comes when you are no longer directly representing a royal house, but still garner press attention & public devotion. Its almost like why can't you just disappear, why are you still on the public eye, getting all the acalaid only a 'real' princess should get. Its the very archaic image of women that has yet to change, in particular a royal/former royal woman & her place in public vs. private life.

This is not something that only happens to women. Two words: Mark Phillips. Mark Who? My point, indeed.

Thing with the job as princess-consort is, you divorce? Fine, but it's akin to quitting your job. That's what it is.
Because as a princess who wasn't born as one, without the royal family formally attached any longer, what you then are is on par with a commoner socialite.

The job of a royal is being an ambassador of sorts, a spokesperson. You quit being a royal? That's a choice, but after you quit the royal fold, who or what are you still an ambassador of? This is the problem, because all of a sudden, the role doesn't seem well defined any more. Has nothing to do with being a woman or not, just with the entity of modern monarchies. This is why I agree with Warren. Alexandra's been affiliated with unicef for example: while she's still in the spotlight, she should grab a larger gig with them and run with it.

[royaltywatcher]

Originally Posted by princess olga

This is not something that only happens to women. Two words: Mark Phillips. Mark Who? My point, indeed.

But I do remember Mark Phillips. And my sense of his status is exactly the same as it was when he was married to Princess Anne. Men are not elevated on the occasion of marriage to a royal woman, so they lose nothing in a divorce, except some comforts and and some access. Maybe that's the problem--maybe women who marry royal princes should remain non-royal, i.e., instead of becoming HRH Princess Alexandra on her marriage, Alexandra should have become Mrs. Joachim LastName.