Princess Benedikte and Family, Current Events 1: March 2003 - September 2005

[michelleq]

It is almost. It clears up many things in my mind. My next question is, since the princess' have become citizens, and I believe that they do represent Denmark at various functions, as well as the prince, can't they become HRH of Denmark based on their service to Denmark? Also, why is it that none of the Berleburg children have Sashes of Denmark? I also find that odd, esp. since Queen Anne Marie's children have them.

Reading another Message Board, someone made the comment that Princess Benedikte would not welcome a "Mary" (middle class commoner) into her family. I found that somewhat odd. What type of personality does she have? Is she stuck on her "Royalty"? What about her children, Gustav, Alexandra, Nathalie and her husband, Richard, are they snobbish?

[Jasl]

I really don't believe that. Mary IMO is quite close to Princess Alexandra, and I don't think the two of them would be close if Alex's mum was so against a commoner marrying into her family (well her sister's family, but still family). Benedikte even cried during F & M's engagement, but some people will make you believe that it was because she was so upset! Nah I don't believe that - I think she was happy.

In any case, when Benedikte gave an interview for her birthday (60th?) she mentioned Mary quite a bit. If I remember correctly, she said that she likes Mary very much and even asked the press to give Mary some space.

Don't know if I can find the link to the interview.... perhaps someone else knows the link to it??

So nah, don't believe what some negative people say.... Benedikte seems like a very nice, hardworking and caring lady (apparently she's the "cry baby" of the family - because her emotions overwhelms her sometimes).

[michelleq]

Thank you. I always assumed that about her. I have mentioned on this board (Or it's precursor) that she struck me as being so down to earth; her and her family. She never struck me as snobbish. She is an outstanding, beautiful princess and human imho.

[Alexandria]

Originally Posted by Jasl

you believe that it was because she was so upset! Nah I don't believe that - I think she was happy.

In any case, when Benedikte gave an interview for her birthday (60th?) she mentioned Mary quite a bit. If I remember correctly, she said that she likes Mary very much and even asked the press to give Mary some space.

Don't know if I can find the link to the interview.... perhaps someone else knows the link to it??

I think that if you search this thread you'll find the link for the article Jasl is referring to; I believe it was a BT interview for Beneditke's 60th birthday, although she gave several at the time so I could be confused.

(See the middle of this page for several interviews Benedikte gave around the time of her birthday celebrations, although some are in Danish: http://www.theroyalforums.com/forums...8&page=4&pp=20)

Around the time of the engagement I read the story about the tears, too. But it wasn't because she was happy, or not exactly. The story I heard about the reason for the tears was that Benedikte was sad that her mom Ingrid couldn't be there to celebrate the engagement and meet Mary herself -- surely a sign of approval on Benedikte's part if she longed for her beloved mother's presence on that special October day she could not disapprove of Mary.

I heard a second story for the tears, and that was related to Benedikte's husband, Richard, whose recovery from cancer was not progressing as speedily as it should've been and allegedly the emotions of the engagement and her husband's ailing health took its toll on Benedikte.

Whatever story you believe, none of them seem to point to disapproval of Mary.

[Chatleen]

I would say, that you have often seen Princess Benedikte with a few tears in her eyes during big family celebrations, including events taking place before Queen Ingrid passed away and Prince Richard had cancer.

But of course there can be various reasons for tears. At other celebrations, she might have been touched due to other causes, while she at the engagement and wedding of Frederik thought about her mother's absence.

About a week before the wedding the Danish television channel DR showed some small interviews with Prince Gustav of Berleburg, Princess Alexandra of Berleburg, Crown Prince Pavlos of Greece and Marie-Chantal.

I would say, that both Gustav and Alexandra seemed really fond of Mary. Alexandra told, how she had spent hours with Queen Ingrid right before her death. Amongst other things they had discussed how sure they both were, that Frederik eventually would find the right woman for him. Do you really think, she would tell this in public television, if she wasn't convinced, that Mary was the right woman for him?

[GrandDuchess]

Princess Nathalie zu Sayn-Wittgenstein-Berleburg at the Appassionata Horse Gala show in Forum, Copenhagen. Pictures from IS:

[GrandDuchess]

A stylish Princess Benedikte attended the memorial service for Princess Alice, Duchess of Gloucester today in the St. Clement Danes church in London, England. Pictures from Getty:

[Josefine]

here are a few old photos

[betina]

Originally Posted by michelleq

It is almost. It clears up many things in my mind. My next question is, since the princess' have become citizens, and I believe that they do represent Denmark at various functions, as well as the prince, can't they become HRH of Denmark based on their service to Denmark? Also, why is it that none of the Berleburg children have Sashes of Denmark? I also find that odd, esp. since Queen Anne Marie's children have them.

All Benediktes children have the highest order. They are decorated with the order of the elephant

Best regards betina

[michelleq]

Thank you Betina! If you or anyone else have any photos of them wearing their Orders and/or Sashes, can they post it? It would be greatly appreciated.

[betina]

I am sorry. I was mistaken. Here is the persons who are knights of the elephant

• Martti Ahtisaari, former President of Finland
• Algirdas Brazauskas, President of Lithuania
• Fernando Henrique Cardoso, President of Brazil
• Carl Gustaf Oscar Frederik Christian
• Carl Johan Arthur Bernadotte
• Emil Constantinescu, former President of Romania
• Nicolae Ceausescu, former President of Romania (Note: Awarded on the November 1980 State Visit to Denmark but revoked by the Queen on 12/23/89 for the first time in history. The insignia have been returned to Denmark and Ceausescu's name has been deleted from the Official Rolls)
• António Santos Ramalho Eanes, former President of Portugal
• Vigdis Finbogadóttir, former President of Iceland
• Valéry Giscard d'Estaing, former President of France
• Ólafur Ragnar Grímson, President of Iceland
• Tarja Halonen, President of Finland
• H. E. Christian
• H. E. Ingolf
• H.H. Prince Richard Casimir Karl August Konstantin til Sayn-Wittgenstein-Berleburg
• H. I. H. Akihito, Japan
• H. I. H. Mikasa, Japan
• H. I. H. Prince Hitachi af Japan
• H. R. H. Albert of Monaco
• H. R. H. Charles Philip Arthur George
• H. R. H. Crown Prince Haakon Magnus of Norway
• H. R. H. Crown Prince Frederik of Denmark
• H. R. H. Crown Prince Pavlos of Greece
• H. R. H. Crown Prince Vajiralongkorn of Thailand
• H. R. H. Philip
• H. R. H. Prince Bernhard of The Netherlands
• H. R. H. Prince Joachim of Denmark
• H. R. H. Prince Michael of Greece
• H. R. H. Prince Philippe, Duke of Brabant, Prince of Belgium
• H. R. H. Prince Henrik of Denmark
• H. R. H. Crownprincess Mary of Denmark, awarded in 2004
• H. R. H. Grand Duke Jean of Luxembourg
• H. R. H. Willem-Alexander
• H. M. King Carl XVI Gustaf of Sweden
• H. M. King Fahad bin Abdul Aziz Al Saud of Saudi Arabia
• H. M. King Juan Carlos I of Spain

• H. M. King Bhumibol Adulyadej
• H. M. King Harald V of Norway
• H. M. Konstantin II
• H. H. Princess Elisabeth
• H. R. H. Christina
• H. R. H. Crown Princess Victoria of Sweden
• H. R. H. Princess Alexandra of Denmark
• H. R. H. Princess Benedikte
• Princess Märtha Louise of Norway
• H. R. H. Grand Dutchess Joséphine-Charlotte of Luxembourg
• H. M. Anne-Marie
• H. M. Beatrix of Belgium
• H. M. Queen Noor of Jordan
• H. M. Queen Paola of Belgium
• H. M. Queen Silvia of Sweden
• H. M. Queen Elisabeth II of England
• H. M. Farah Pahlavi
• H. M. Juliana
• H.M. Emperioress Michiko af Japan
• H. M. Sirikit
• H. M. Sofia
• H. M. Queen Sonja of Norway
• Rudolf Kirchschläger, President of Austria († 1915 - 2000)
• Mauno Henrik Koivisto, former President of Finland
• Milan Kucan, President of Slovenia
• Nelson Mandela, President of South Africa
• Lennart Meri, President of Estonia
• Mohamed Hosni Mubarak, President of Egypt
• Mærsk Mc-Kinney Møller, Chairman of A. P. Møller Group
• Johannes Rau, President of Germany
• Oscar Luigi Scalfaro, President of Italy
• Mario Alberto Nobre Lopes Soares, President of Portugal
• Petar Stoyanov, President of Bulgaria
• Guntis Ulmanis, President of Latvia
• Lech Walesa, former President of Poland
• Richard von Weizsäcker, former President of Germany
  
• Ion Iliescu, President of Romania, awarded 3/16/2004
  

[SpiffyBallerina]

This may be a really stupid question, but what happened?! Why did HM QMII take it back?
Nicolae Ceausescu, former President of Romania (Note: Awarded on the November 1980 State Visit to Denmark but revoked by the Queen on 12/23/89 for the first time in history. The insignia have been returned to Denmark and Ceausescu's name has been deleted from the Official Rolls)
Also, Princess Alexia and Prince Nikolas of Greece also have the order of the elephant because I saw them wear it at the wedding of CP Frederik and Mary (plus, it makes sense since they're prince/princess of Greece AND Denmark).

[michelleq]

That is what I don't understand. What is the prerequisite? Princess Benedikte's children do more for Denmark than Queen Anne Marie's; even if they didn't why give one sister's children the Order and not the other. Especially if Princess Benedikte is part of the Royal Family and not Queen Anne Marie (Technically speaking).

[SpiffyBallerina]

Because the Greek and Danish familes are the same starting waaaaay back (the Danish king was invited to rule Greece- hence the dual titles of Prince/Princess of Greece and Denmark). So really, QAM's relation to Denmark and Greece has nothing to do with her children's titles.
I don't believe Princess Benedikte's children are officially princes/princesses of Denmark. Plus, apparently there was some way that they maybe could have entered into the succession but none of them even tried.
And as far as what people "do" or don't do for a country, that's the whole point of royal titles- they're inherited and there's really no earning involved. It's just who they are.

[Alexandria]

Originally Posted by SpiffyBallerina

I don't believe Princess Benedikte's children are officially princes/princesses of Denmark. Plus, apparently there was some way that they maybe could have entered into the succession but none of them even tried.
And as far as what people "do" or don't do for a country, that's the whole point of royal titles- they're inherited and there's really no earning involved. It's just who they are.

I read something to the effect that had Benedikte's children wanted to be in line to the throne they would've had to either live in Denmark at least part time as Benedikte does or had to become Danish citizens. My memory is a bit fuzzy on which requirement it is exactly. But if it is a matter of residency I think Nathalie may be the only one who lives in Denmark full or part time, though she spends much of her time out of the country for her equestrian training. Alexandra and her family live in Paris while Gustav used to work in London and at one point was spending his time at the Sayn-Wittgenstein-Berleberg estate in Germany.

[betina]

I think it is because they are children of a king. If you look after, it is only anne-maries oldest children who have the order. Princess Theodora and Prince Philippos does not have it. They only have the highest greek order.

Betina

[SpiffyBallerina]

The younger ones don't have it yet because they're too young. Theodora only recently came of age and Philppos is still too young I believe. They'll get the order of the elephant in time.

[betina]

Theodora is almost 21 and Philippos is 18 so in Denmark they are adults and have the right to vote. I don´t think they get the order

[norwegianne]

Originally Posted by Alexandria

I read something to the effect that had Benedikte's children wanted to be in line to the throne they would've had to either live in Denmark at least part time as Benedikte does or had to become Danish citizens. My memory is a bit fuzzy on which requirement it is exactly. But if it is a matter of residency I think Nathalie may be the only one who lives in Denmark full or part time, though she spends much of her time out of the country for her equestrian training. Alexandra and her family live in Paris while Gustav used to work in London and at one point was spending his time at the Sayn-Wittgenstein-Berleberg estate in Germany.

http://www.theroyalforums.com/forums...011#post119011

[Lyonnaise]

Polfoto 12-03-2005 Prinsesse Benedikte overværerede lørdag, som protektor sammen med prins Richard og prinsesse Nathalie, Dansk Varmblods hesteshow i Messecenter Herning.(Uffe Kongsted/POLFOTO).