Danish New Year Courts: 2004, 2006-2021, 2023

[gerry]

Muhler, I am sorry about your cold and agree that vodka is a very good remedy Me, I have dug deep into my wallet and purchased a bottle of Aalborg Jubileumakvavit to ward off the -15 degree temperatures and icestorm that we have been battling in my home city of Toronto. However, no cold as yet, touch wood, so the aqvavit is working its magic! Speaking of magic, do I recognize the faces of the former chamberlain (since retired whose name I have forgotten but who helped introduce the Crown Princess into Danish society) and a current chamberlain who looks suspiciously like the former prime minister now secretary general of NATO and who curiously appears with the chamberlain's staff in the picture of the New Year's court and whose name I have also forgotten?

[LibrarianDaisy]

Hi Muhler - yes, I can view the link thank you which is great as I missed it live earlier. Happy New Year.

[gerry]

Originally Posted by Muhler

Are you able to watch this? Dronningens nytårskur - 01. jan. 2014 | DR1 | DR

It's the DR1 coverage of the guests and the DRF arriving.

If you can't, please feel free to delete this post as I expect to go to bed soon.

(I watched TV2's coverage myself, the picture quality was much better).

Thank you for posting this link; fascinating to watch this event and learn as much as I could from the body language of the participants as my Danish is still not strong enough to understand much more than 'flotte kjole'! It was indeed interesting to watch the different guard inspection styles of the Prince Joachim and his Crown Princely brother: the former very serious and thorough, the latter more relaxed and 'why are we doing this, you guys look great and we would all be happier in the pub watching football'!

Originally Posted by Muhler

Thank you, Gerry.
I can assure you that my head is already swelled - but due to a cold, not so much with air as with something else... but a chilli-vodka is the perfect remedy.

Anyway, let's return to what is actually going on during such a court.
The guest line up in order of rank, including government ministers, and they greet the DRF before going to the table.

Here they are served the legendary Rosenborg wine from 1580's. A Rhinsk/Rhein wine. I don't know much about wine, but is has been diluted and been added other wines over the centuries and some years ago it was poured into new wooden casks.
As such it has now gone from undrinkable and "an experience" to tasting a bit like a dark sherry - and "an experience"...

The whole thing lasts a couple of hours, during which the guests are served a few light treats and some more (drinkable) wine. QMII will call a number of the guests to her for a brief chat, which is mainly about their jobs. The other members of the DRF will mingle as what would be done at a normal reception.

The government will drive from Amalienborg to the official residence of the PM, Marienborg Manor. Here their spouses have had a light dinner and here the government will have a minor New Year party.

- I'm pretty certain that the new approach by letting the guests off at the red carpet and not inside the gate, originate from Frederik, who is now increasingly working ever closer with QMII, and who (according to QMII herself) is allowed more and more influence.
Because that media-friendly change bears the hallmark of M&F. It is something QMII simply wouldn't think off IMO.

A little trivia. QMII do not wish that the chain of the Order of the Elephant is worn against naked skin, so the dresses have to be made with that consideration in mind.

The DR people kindly provided the food and wine pairings for the 'light treats' you mention that seem somewhat more substantial so that I don't wonder that the crown princess jogs off the many calories she must needs eat for her job! The wines provided at the Royal Court come from le Chateau de Cayx so that once again, HM must be commended for her excellent choice in husband and wisdom in investing in a French vineyard that must be extremely valuable! I am sure the wine must be sold in Danish shops so will look for it next time I am in Copenhagen!

[SElizabeth]

Can anyone tell me who the lady was in the white gown, it had a lace top and long lace sleeves? That was a very beautiful gown, very elegant and classy. I loved that CM reused a former gown, I happen to love velvet, in fact dark red velvet and she looked really beautiful tonight. I also like CMarie's gown, new and cute on her. QM, don't like the color on her, green is not her color at all.
Worst dress there, the gray gown with the green huge green bow down the front.......oh my goodness who would wear that?


Originally Posted by Muhler
Are you able to watch this? Dronningens nytårskur - 01. jan. 2014 | DR1 | DR

It's the DR1 coverage of the guests and the DRF arriving.

If you can't, please feel free to delete this post as I expect to go to bed soon.

(I watched TV2's coverage myself, the picture quality was much better).

Thank you so very much Muhler, this was wonderful. I really enjoyed watching the Queen arrive. I have a sony vaio laptop so I unpugged it and took it to the kitchen to watch while I fed my dog, I didn't want to miss a minute of it and I don't even understand Danish. To me this is history walking and talking .....and being a history buff, I truly enjoyed this. Wish I could give you a hug for this, so I hope these flowers will help. Many many thanks.

[marfre]

Originally Posted by polyesco

Frederik inspecting the guard
http://25.media.tumblr.com/40816b770...jme9o3_500.jpg

http://25.media.tumblr.com/e8489a3a8...jme9o4_500.jpg

http://25.media.tumblr.com/160dc20e1...jme9o5_500.jpg

Joachim
http://31.media.tumblr.com/a42947b29...jme9o4_500.jpg

Thanks for the links.
Love the first one, Mary looks so regal (as I said in a previous post) and the proud look on Frederik's face says it all.


Thanks Muhler for the details always much appreciated.

[cepe]

Originally Posted by SElizabeth

Can anyone tell me who the lady was in the white gown, it had a lace top and long lace sleeves? That was a very beautiful gown, very elegant and classy. I loved that CM reused a former gown, I happen to love velvet, in fact dark red velvet and she looked really beautiful tonight. I also like CMarie's gown, new and cute on her. QM, don't like the color on her, green is not her color at all.
Worst dress there, the gray gown with the green huge green bow down the front.......oh my goodness who would wear that?

That is Helle Thorning-Schmidt, the Prime Minister - the one who did the pcitrue at Mandela's memorial with Obama and Cameron, whille FLOTUS looked glum

[Jacknch]

Such marvellous coverage, links and pictures - thank you all for posting! New Year would not be the same without seeing the New Year Courts and the Queen's address the previous evening....it's become quite a tradition for me!

[SElizabeth]

Cepe:That is Helle Thorning-Schmidt, the Prime Minister - the one who did the pcitrue at Mandela's memorial with Obama and Cameron, whille FLOTUS looked glum
__________________

Thank you so much Cepe, I just couldn't place who she was, I have heard many good and some not so good things about her, yet it takes a very strong woman to be in that position in the world filled with men. She is one very beautiful lady and I bet very intelligent also. I do remember the picture and thought, "Oh why or why BO are you doing this now? This isn't the time nor place to take pictures of yourself with other people." Guess egos just get in the way regardless of the time and place.

My big dream is to go to Denmark and sit in an outdoor café and people watch..........someday. I read tonight about the Elephant Order, very interesting and very old history, nice to see that some traditions still remain.

Happy New Year to you and all the royal form people that comment and make this a place to enjoy.................

[polyesco]

video of the arrivals.
Dronningens nytårskur - 01. jan. 2014 | DR1 | DR
its funny seeing Joachim moving around Marie so much, one side and then around, and then to the other side again.

This picture, I like it, very regal both Mary and handsome Frederik
http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-PWSBcg9V1s...070697-001.JPG

Another member pointed this out in the fashion thread, but is Marie not wearing the Family Order? ( the portrait of the Queen? sorry if thats not what its called)

are they not suppose to? i see Mary wearing it
http://b.bimg.dk/node-images/70/7/x2...malienborg.jpg
http://a.bimg.dk/node-images/70/7/x2...6-maryass3.jpg

the queen uses the one with her father
http://www.billedbladet.dk/sites/bil...?itok=8t1GSWg0

[MaggieDenmark]

this is an excellent photo of mary... she looks like a dream walking down the red carpet
http://b.bimg.dk/node-images/70/7/11...ingen-repr.jpg

[COUNTESS]

Mary and Marie are lovely. Fredrick looks like a wooden soldier, as does his brother. They do not fit the attire. The scrubby beard on Frederick is awful, but whatever. The Queen looks lovely, also, and she and Mary seem to wear the same gowns every year. Probably a good idea for economy.

[Dman]

Thanks for the videos of the coverage. Everyone looked so good and I like that the media dedicate so much time in covering some of the Danish royal events.

[ashelen]

Originally Posted by SElizabeth

Can anyone tell me who the lady was in the white gown, it had a lace top and long lace sleeves? That was a very beautiful gown, very elegant and classy. I loved that CM reused a former gown, I happen to love velvet, in fact dark red velvet and she looked really beautiful tonight. I also like CMarie's gown, new and cute on her. QM, don't like the color on her, green is not her color at all.
Worst dress there, the gray gown with the green huge green bow down the front.......oh my goodness who would wear that?

She is the Primer Minester of Denamrk, Helle Thorning-Schmidt, very beautiful and intelligent Lady! she needs a tiara too fer her heair do!and she her dress to die for too!

[Frelinghighness]

Va va voom quite a PM for Denmark! No wonder our President and others were taken by her and her wonderful english accent (by Marriage) how interesting life is.
What a lovely gown she wore, reminds me of Mary's gown from the Dutch abdication.
anyway...Mary needs a new dress for this, too many repeats

[dazzling]

Picture gallery of the royals arriving from kongehuset.dk
Marie's outfit looks much nicer in the video than the pictures. Mary & the Queen looks nice as well.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sE2idYxfJZE

[Roskilde]

For those who are interested in fashion and the beautiful dresses, here's a link to the Danish Tv2.dk. One of Denmark's most famous fashion experts, Uffe Buchard comment on those three dresses, which he finds nicest from last night: Prime Minister Helle Thorning, CP Mary and Queen Margrethe, and a couple of other dresses as well.

Mode-ekspert: Her er den flotteste kjole | GO'
Translated: Google Oversæt

[antonieta]

All the 3 royal ladies were beautiful, but i´m a little tired of seing crown princess Mary with this dress, i think it´s time for a change!

[polyesco]

Love these two pictures.
Wonderful smiles from Frederik and Mary
https://m.ak.fbcdn.net/sphotos-b.ak/..._8816267_n.jpg

and this one, something so regal about it
http://svenskdam.se/wp-content/galle...frederik-3.jpg

Handsome Frederik getting out of the car
http://frederiketmary.f.r.pic.centerblog.net/o/am25.jpg

another pic of Frederik and Mary
http://frederiketmary.f.r.pic.centerblog.net/o/am1.jpg

[Rebafan81]

Maybe some of our Danish experts can answer this for me, why did Joachim salute the soldiers inside when they were at attention and Fred didn't, Fred walked by them, spoke to them but didn't salute them? Also, I noticed while watching the video, Joachim stopped and spoke to more people then Fred and Mary, he seemed warmer then I anticipated because normally he seems more standoffish.

[Muhler]

Originally Posted by Rebafan81

Maybe some of our Danish experts can answer this for me, why did Joachim salute the soldiers inside when they were at attention and Fred didn't, Fred walked by them, spoke to them but didn't salute them? Also, I noticed while watching the video, Joachim stopped and spoke to more people then Fred and Mary, he seemed warmer then I anticipated because normally he seems more standoffish.

Well, correct procedure IIRC, and mind you I wasn't an officer in the army myself.
Is that you salute the officer in command of the guard first and continue to do so, until he has given his report. Because until you take over, the guard on duty can give you a command, which you are obliged to obey, no matter your rank. (I.e. a private on guard can give an order to a full general).
After which the senior officer (here a royal) walk down the line of guardsmen and recieve their salute by looking each one of them in the eyes.
Having done that you give a "very well/carry onl" or something like that to the commanding guards officer by saluting him.
ADDED: There wasn't a colourbearer, so I deleted that part to avoid confusion.

So as far as I could tell Joachim did the whole thing by the letter. While Frederik opted for a more relaxed approach (he is after all a navy man) and saluted with his eyes. I.e. by looking the commanding officer in the eyes at the end.

Did this make any sense?

- As to why Joachim greeted and spoke to more people than Frederik I can't say. Three of them were adjutants, so I can imagine that at least one was attached Joachim and our Marie when M&F arrived.