 |
|
06-24-2011, 08:11 AM
|
 |
Imperial Majesty
|
|
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: Eastern Jutland, Denmark
Posts: 16,109
|
|
I have to place this very interesting article here, even though it deals mainly with the Regent Couple's visit to Bahrain earlier this year.
(...)
Regeringen sætter Margrethe under diktator-opsyn - Politik - BT.dk
Anyway, the Regent Couple visited Bahrain and the King of Bahrain was decorated with the Grand Cross of the Order of Dannebrog. Nothing unusual about that, except that just a few weeks later the authorities in Bahrain were very heavy handed in cracking down on demonstrators, with a considerable loss of life. It's not less unfortunate since a Danish citizen, of Bahrain decent was yesterday sentenced to life in prison for speaking up against the authorities.
As such QMII has recieved a good deal of heat for even going to Bahrain in the first place, secondly for decorating the King of Bahrain, who politically speaking is a less than worthy recipient.
The government initially did not back her up. - This is important, so I'll repeat: The government did not back QMII up. That is one of the most impoartant jobs of a PM.
The government stated that handing out of orders is a matter for the court.
- It is, formally.
Questions have been asked in Parliament, after it surfaced in a major newspaper, Berlinske Tidende that the government was eager for QMII to visit Bahrain - and as such present the King of Bahrain with an order. Naturally, that is standard praxis at state visits.
In other words, QMII visted Bahrain on "request" of the Danish government. Who are also those who should advise the court about political issues, so that the court can decline such a request. - That's after all what the Foreign Ministry is there for.
That means that not only was the Prime Minister (it's his responsibility) to blame for QMII ending up in this political undesirable situation, he abandoned her as well.
The governement will still not take responsibility.
The Foreign Ministry has issued written reply to the Parliament saying that the Foreign Ministry and the Court will in the future work more closely together to avoid misunderstandings.
In the article above the opposition is of course up in arms. In their eyes (and mine) the government has admitted to handling this entire affair very poorly.
Kamal Qureshi from the Socialist Peoples Party, says: "The reply (to the Parliament) is a clear admission (of guilt) from the Foreign Ministry that the current procedure has led to handing out of orders, which has been in contrast to Danish values".
He adds: "The civil servants in the Foreign Ministry can with this reply not come up with a bigger admission, without stepping on the toes of Lene Espersen (the Foreign Minister). A change of course is laid out for the government now taking more responsibility for who the Queen will present orders to".
Professor Claus Hagen Jensen says: "The reply points out that the exchange of orders all the time has been carefully considered while the Court and the (foreign) Ministry give each other a careful little reprimand, because the issue apparantly has to be considered more careful in the future. This heralds presumably that the government will interfere more in the issue than beforehand, so that you avoid what in the reply is called "misunderstandings".
-----------
- It is almost unthinkable that the Court will point their fingers back at the government. Even when the government has been clumsy.
It is also untihinkable that the DRF go on official visits anywhere without approval from the government. The DRF after all act on behalf of Denmark and especially the Foreign Ministry, when travelling abroad.
If it turns out that a visit turned out to be very bad timing, you can hardly blame the DRF, they are after all advised by the government, and in this case also encouraged by the government.
So the government had QMII take the heat.
My respect let, alone confidence, for the current Prime Minister, Lars Løkke, is in contrast to his predecessor very low as it is. This is just one more example. And the Foreign Minster... Good grief, I've had problems taking her seriously for years!
There will be more on this, that's for sure!
ADDED: More in depht articles from Berlinske Tidende: http://www.b.dk/nationalt/regeringen...diktatorhaeder
http://www.b.dk/nationalt/ministeriu...diktator-i-dag
|
06-25-2011, 02:45 AM
|
|
Imperial Majesty
|
|
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: Eastern Jutland, Denmark
Posts: 16,109
|
|
Thank you, Iceflower 
I hope QMII had time to enjoy some of the tour.
The paddlesteamer Hjejlen sails on the lakes around Silkeborg in central Jutland, which genuinely must be considered among the most beautiful scenery in Denmark.
Most only sails as far as to the base of Himmelbjerget = The Sky Mountain, which despite it's impressive name is only 147 meters high. Walking to the summit is good for the digestion however..
Here is some info on the paddlesteamer, which is worth a visit in itself: http://www.hjejlen.com/Default.asp?ulang=2
ADDED: A number of comments to some of the many pictures:
http://mja.dk/galleri.php?node_id=69983&nr=4#pictop The popular singer, Lars Lilholt, is entertaining QMII.
http://mja.dk/galleri.php?node_id=69983&nr=12#pictop
Hjejlen is flying the royal pennant on the occasion.
http://mja.dk/galleri.php?node_id=69983&nr=26#pictop
The item QMII is studying with absolute keen interest, is a flint axe. - The bronce age was somewhat delayed in Scandinavia, partly because bronce iems were expensive, but just as much because the flint-technique here was very highly developed. Heavy wood-axes of flint were superiour to bronce axes, actually up until the introduction of iron axes.
This picture is particularly charming: http://mja.dk/galleri.php?node_id=69983&nr=38#pictop
These Knights of the Road or vagabonds if you like, come from a shelter nearby. You will notice ome of them wear the "uniform" of genuine Knights of the Road. The man in the centre with the cap and the many badges on his vest is such a knight.
http://mja.dk/galleri.php?node_id=69997&nr=6#pictop
The uniforms seen here are based on the field uniforms, introduced during the First Schleswigan War 1848-50. It's also that uniform the current gala uniform of the army is based on.
http://mja.dk/galleri.php?node_id=69975&nr=11#pictop
Among the countless bands playing that day was the navy band, who played when QMII went onboard Hjejlen.
http://mja.dk/galleri.php?node_id=69975&nr=12#pictop
As always when the DRF is around the police officers put on their white caps. - And that is something they tend to do with a delight. The white caps look more stylish than the everyday baseball caps,
http://mja.dk/galleri.php?node_id=69975&nr=20#pictop
Don't know what happened here but it doesn't look planned! I minor steering malfunction perhaps? Or the navigator (the wife) was not paying attention? Because surely the "Skipper" cannot be blamed....
http://mja.dk/galleri.php?node_id=69965&nr=2#pictop
This band are regulars from Prinsens Livregiment, a now amalgamated regiment, in which Joachim served as a recruit.
At the same time a Riverboat Festival started and brassbands roam the lakes onboard the various boats playing jazz and blues and generally frighten the fish.
http://mja.dk/galleri.php?node_id=69965&nr=8#pictop
Notice the PET officer on the far right. The bodyguards are as usual among the most well dressed gentlemen present. Perhaps not as much here in central Jutland, where fashionable casual is less acceptable as in Copenhagen, at least not when you are mingling with the Queen.
|
07-01-2011, 03:30 AM
|
|
Imperial Majesty
|
|
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: Eastern Jutland, Denmark
Posts: 16,109
|
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by iceflower
|
You are welcome 
And thanks for the pics. It's nice to see QMII and PH completely relaxed and in summer dress. Notice how few were staring at them.
We went to see the exhibition last weekend and it's even better than the last one. They have really managed to combine scenery, nature and art.
|
07-14-2011, 07:54 AM
|
|
Imperial Majesty
|
|
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: Eastern Jutland, Denmark
Posts: 16,109
|
|
Summary of article in Billed Bladet #28, 2011.
Spejderdronningen - The Scout-Queen.
Written by our camp reporter Ken Richter.
The national FDF camp for scouts was held near the town of Ry in central Jutland. In one of the most beautiful spots in DK, but alas, also a very wet spot this year.
12.000 members form 400 groups were present between the age of ten and eighteen.
This gathering takes place every five years and the last time QMII had to cancel due to a surgery to her knee.
This is the tenth of such gatherings.
Judging from the TV coverage QMII was a very welcome guest and she was treated to a show and shown a home-made toilet-cart constructed by one of the groups.
In return QMII gave a speech and she said among other things: "You'll get lots of good experiences in the rucksack. Experiences, that is, that you'll remember for the rest of your lives".
Quote:
Originally Posted by iceflower
|
|
07-16-2011, 07:39 AM
|
|
Heir Apparent
|
|
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: Edinburgh, United Kingdom
Posts: 3,502
|
|
|
I just loooove the way Margrete dresses ! She is so inventive when it comes to clothes...
|
07-23-2011, 09:28 AM
|
|
Imperial Majesty
|
|
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: Eastern Jutland, Denmark
Posts: 16,109
|
|
This is a somewhat novel situation, so I've placed this here: Ekstra Bladet - Margrethe forfrdet over norsk massakre
QMII has written a letter of condolences to King Harald after the terrible incident in Norway yesterday:
"Both the Queen and the Prince Consort are appalled by the tragic events in Norway. Their thoughts go the families of the victims and the entire Norwegian people", says Bjarne Grønfeldt from the court.
- The protocol is observed in the sense that the Danish head of state convey her condolences to the Norwegian head of state. The Danish PM to the Norwegian PM and so on.
Should, heaven forbid, a similar event have taken place in Australia it would still be QMII who would convey her condolences on behalf of Denmark and the DRF. From the view of the protocol Mary would not issue an official statement as she is after all "only" the Crown Princess. - What she would say if asked would be another matter and she could show her sympathy in another way.
ADDED: The government has decided that in sympathy for the victims Dannebrog will fly on half mast on all public Danish buildings from noon today.
|
07-23-2011, 09:34 AM
|
|
Heir Apparent
|
|
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Melbourne & Sydney, Australia
Posts: 3,977
|
|
Quote:
|
Should, heaven forbid, a similar event have taken place in Australia
|
Indeed, here's hoping it never does.
Mary, as with the Victorian bushfires in 2009 and Queensland floods earlier this year, would be asked by journalists about her thoughts, but as you say Muhler, Mary does not speak on behalf of the nation nor the DRF. And in time, it shall be Frederik who does so. Anything Mary should express as Crown Princess or Queen, in this regard, will be considered a personal undertaking as she shall never be the Head of State.
Quote:
|
ADDED: The government has decided that in sympathy for the victims Dannebrog will fly on half mast on all official Danish buildings from noon today.
|
Very touching.
__________________
"Dressing is a way of life" - Monsieur Saint Laurent
|
07-24-2011, 01:26 PM
|
 |
Royal Highness
|
|
Join Date: May 2006
Location: Istanbul, Turkey
Posts: 1,818
|
|
|
|
07-31-2011, 06:00 AM
|
|
Imperial Majesty
|
|
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: Eastern Jutland, Denmark
Posts: 16,109
|
|
As you probably know politics and what goes on behind the scenes really interest me.
This is a translation of an article in Berlinske Tidende, where historian Jes Fabricius Møller (he’s usually pro-DRF) says what he thinks about QMII getting some heat for handing out an order to the King of Bahrain, just before the bloody crack down on protesters there, earlier this year.
This is about domestic politics and not so much about Bahrain itself.
http://www.b.dk/nationalt/historiker...diktatorhaeder
Berlinske Tidende 31. July 2011.
Historian: The government shies away form honoring dictator.
Written by David Tarp.
“The government tries to wipe off the responsibility for presenting the Grand Cross of Dannebrog to the King of Bahrain on the Queen”. So directly is the assessment from the historian Jes Fabricius Møller, lecturer at Copenhagen University with an in depth knowledge of the history of the DRF.
Jes Fabricius Møller believes that the Foreign Ministry and government run away from their responsibility, when the ministry in a number of written replies (to the Parliament) and in the press express that presentation of the debated order to the King of Bahrain is exclusively the responsibility of Queen Margrethe.
”The problem is just”, says Jes Fabricius Møller, ”That the Queen according to the Constitution is free from responsibility and as such it will always be the responsibility of the government what the Majesty is doing”.
”The Chapter of Orders (Ordenskapitlet *) is on paper a royal prerogative, but it’s unthinkable that the Queen on such a decisive field acts on her own. The Queen is perfectly well aware that she cannot act against the interests of the government. As such the Foreign Ministry has of course approved the order and then it’s the responsibility of the government”, says Jes Fabricius Møller.
The order to the Bahrain’s King Khalifa has been the object for criticism after the Queen at an official visit in February awarded the King with the second highest Danish order. Two weeks after the visit “The Arabian Uprising” spread to the small desert state Bahrain, but that dealt with harshly by the King with many killed as a result.
That led to criticism of both the Queen and the government for discounting Danish foreign policy and values like democracy and human rights.
The Foreign Ministry has afterwards defended itself that it’s exclusively the Queen who makes decisions about presenting that kind of orders and that it has nothing to do with Danish foreign policy.
I five written replies from Foreign Minister Lene Espersen (Conservative) (**) to the human rights spokesman for the Socialists Peoples Party (***) Kamal Qureshi, the minister put a lot of emphasis in distancing herself from the presentation of the order to the dictator of Bahrain.
”It’s Her Majesty the Queen, who make decisions regarding presentation and recalling orders”, says one of the replies.
In another (reply) the minister informs that she has not been involved in the decision regarding the presentation of the order.
The Foreign Minister give according to Jes Fabricius Møller a slight reprimand to the Queen, as the minister in another reply writes that it has now been agreed the Court and the government in the future carefully will consider who the Queen will decorate, so that “misunderstandings” will be avoided.
Jes Fabricius Møller in particular notices the last reply, which he sees at yet another elegant was to put the responsibility at the door of the Queen.
”They (the Foreign Ministry) don’t write anything that is not correct. But they sell it, as it is the Queen who has traveled all over the world and awarded tin on her own. They can see now that it doesn’t look good with Bahrain and then they attempt to say that they’ll do better in the future”, says Jes Fabriscius Møller.
He emphasize that he is in complete agreement with the Court and the Foreign Ministry that the Queen doesn’t pursue politics with her orders. But he cannot understand why the Foreign Minister will not admit that her ministry and as such the government bear the responsibility for.
”Denmark in its foreign policy has to have open diplomatic connections with all countries, also those we don’t like. And one of the tools in the diplomatic toolbox is order. But I cannot understand why the minister will not take a part in the responsibility for the order. Lene Espersen can easily at the same time explain that the order is not an expression of sympathy for everything that goes on in Bahrain”, says Jes Fabricius Møller.
The Queen’s Cabinet Secretary (****), Henning Fode, disagree. (*****) He emphasize to Berlinske that it’s the Queen’s decision who will be awarded an order.
But is the Foreign Ministry involved in the decision?
“It’s correct in the sense that the Foreign Ministry is heard in regards to advice and guidance. The Queen can listen to political feelings but it does not move the fact that it’s the Queen’s decision”, says Henning Fode.
Kamal Qureshi (Socialist Peoples Party) who is the instigator of the written questions the Foreign Minister announce that a Social democrat – Socialist Peoples party government (******) will put an end to the Queen honoring dictators. In that way you also avoid the Foreign Ministry “hiding behind the skirts of the Court” by putting the responsibility for diplomatic decisions on the Queen, he believes.
”It’s cowardly to hold DRF in front of you in that fashion. Of course it’s the responsibility of the government. If the Socialist Peoples Part will be in government, state visits and orders will be connected to values Denmark represents. That means that dictators will not be honored by our head of state”, says Kamal Qureshi.
It’s has not been possible to get a comment from the Social democrats in order to learn whether they too will prevent the Queen from honoring dictators.
(*) Ordenskapitlet. The chapter formally headed by QMII and under the formal control of the DRF, which assess and decide applicants for orders.
(**) She’s major bungler! She has a habit of screwing up in every ministry she heads and she got some very severe criticism after becoming Foreign Minister, after pushing aside a very competent and experienced minister. She was also removed as leader of the Conservatives.
(***) Socialists Peoples Party. Politically slightly to the left of the Social democrats. They are nowhere near being communists though.
(****) And as such also her legal and political advisor. I guess he’s pretty pissed off.
(*****) Of course he does. It would be almost unheard if the Court criticized the government.
(******) A government coalition of the Social democrats and the Socialist Peoples Party is very likely to win the next general election later this year, probably in October or November.
|
08-07-2011, 07:32 PM
|
 |
Courtier
|
|
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: Funen, Denmark
Posts: 794
|
|
|
Sunday, August 7th:
Today the normally DRF-friendly tabloid BT features a piece on the travel expenses of the royal family. The headlines goes that the 'travel budget is getting out of hand'. In 2010 the royal family spent 47 mill. 'kroner' on travel and transportation, including the over all costs of the royal yacht, which clocks up 35 mill. alone!
It is not clear how BT arrived at these figures!
The major complaint is that the armed forces who perform of a lot of the transport, are subject to cuts and reductions and that this should be reflected by the DRF method of transportation.
It did not go down well in the news that HM required an Army (or Air force) helicopter for her trip to the wedding of niece Nathalie Wittgenstein in Germany. BT has come out with the figure of 459.000 Danish kroner for this retirn trip. It sounds like an awful lot to me, but maybe it compares to the costs of a similar civilian helicopter flight??
I have a feeling that the general criticism is a bit unfair except for one point:
I don't know whether HM's schedule was so busy that the has to go by helicopter to Germany, but I'm inclined to agree with the those saying that she had known about the wedding for months and that civil air transportation could have been used in stead!
viv
|
08-12-2011, 03:21 PM
|
 |
Administrator
|
|
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: , Germany
Posts: 72,009
|
|
_________________
Prince Henrik and some friends have been to France. On Monday, August 8,
they've visited the castle of Cavagnac in south-western France.
** Pic ** Cavagnac. Visite royale au château ** translation **
__________________
**** Welcome aboard! ****
|
08-26-2011, 12:54 PM
|
|
Imperial Majesty
|
|
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: Eastern Jutland, Denmark
Posts: 16,109
|
|
Følg Danmarks Dronning i Afghanistan
TV4 (That's part of the DR1 network) will on 29. August at 22.00 show a documentary about QMII visiting Afghanistan.
- I'm surprised this is shown on a niche/public service channel.
|
08-28-2011, 02:58 AM
|
|
Administrator
|
|
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: , Germany
Posts: 72,009
|
|
__________________
Prince Henrik during the gala dinner of the 16th edition of the "Forest Books" at
the Chateau of Clos Luce in Amboise, France, August 27, 2011. Singer Patricia
Kaas has been present as well (3).
** Pic 1 ** Pic 2 ** Pic 3 ** Pic 4 **
And today, Prince Henrik attended the literature festival as well in Chanceau-près-Loches,
central France.
** Pic ** gettyimages/daylife gallery ** belga gallery **
__________________
**** Welcome aboard! ****
|
08-30-2011, 04:25 AM
|
|
Administrator
|
|
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: , Germany
Posts: 72,009
|
|
___________________
Still happy in France Prince Henrik visited the Chateau du Clos Luce "Parc Leonardo da Vinci"
with Gonzague Saint-Bris in Amboise, France, August 29, 2011.
** Pic 1 ** Pic 2 ** Pic 3 ** Pic 4 ** Pic 5 **
__________________
**** Welcome aboard! ****
|
09-02-2011, 03:25 PM
|
|
Administrator
|
|
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: , Germany
Posts: 72,009
|
|
__________________
Today, September 2nd, Queen Margrethe together with King Harald and Queen Sonja
attended the 200th anniversary of The University of Oslo at the University Hall in Oslo,
Norway.
** Pic 1 ** Pic 2 **
More pics and information can be found here:
** King Harald and Queen Sonja: Current events January 2008 - **
__________________
**** Welcome aboard! ****
|
09-17-2011, 09:59 AM
|
|
Administrator
|
|
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: , Germany
Posts: 72,009
|
|
__________________
Today, September 17, Queen Margrethe has attended the celebrations for the 850-year anniversary
of the monastery and church and the 425-year anniversary of the academy of Sorø.
** Pic ** sn.dk gallery **
__________________
**** Welcome aboard! ****
|
09-17-2011, 02:43 PM
|
|
Imperial Majesty
|
|
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: Eastern Jutland, Denmark
Posts: 16,109
|
|
Thank you, Iceflower
Sorø academy is a prestigeous school and boarding school. One of the very few boarding schools in DK.
As you mentioned it started out as a wealthy monastery and fifty years after the Reformation it was simply converted into a full scale academy. Many, especially the larger, monasteries were centres of education anyway, so it was a logic step.
Quote:
Originally Posted by iceflower
__________________
Today, September 17, Queen Margrethe has attended the celebrations for the 850-year anniversary
of the monastery and church and the 425-year anniversary of the academy of Sorø.
** Pic ** sn.dk gallery ** |
|
|
|
|
Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)
|
|
|
| Thread Tools |
Search this Thread |
|
|
|
| Display Modes |
 Linear Mode
|
Posting Rules
|
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts
HTML code is Off
|
|
|
|
Recent Discussions |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
