Dutch Introductory Visit to Denmark: June 25, 2013

[ricarda]

Originally Posted by Archduchess Zelia

I highly doubt she's trying to dress "younger". That merely is QMII's style of preference - bright and wow-y colours, preferably with some flowers. And she can wear it, which is the best thing about her style. Can't say I think that this outfit is much different than her usual outfits, and I quite like it, actually.

I don't understand the last comment. What have Mary and Frederik got to do with QMII's outfit?

Their presence would have emphasized the age gap whereas IMO both queens tried to cover it up with their outfits.

While I agree that QMII has a faible for strong colours as well as flowers I cannot recall her dressing like that (strong colours+flowers) for a day event at any of the incoming state visits in the last couple of years.

[vkrish]

Why does the King not wear uniform..Every other King has and most likely will wear a uniform while visiting or receiving a fellow monarch..
I feel uniform adds a lot to the "chivalry" of out modern royal men..

[Muhler]

A charming clip from TV2 of the visit: TV 2 Nyhederne - Video

[Marengo]

Originally Posted by vkrish

Why does the King not wear uniform..Every other King has and most likely will wear a uniform while visiting or receiving a fellow monarch..
I feel uniform adds a lot to the "chivalry" of out modern royal men..

Prince Hendrik doesn't wear a uniform either. This is not a state visit. Just a lunch and introduction.

Uniforms on royals who do not serve in active duty, bedecked with honorary medals, usually give me a bit of an operetta feeling.

[dazzling]

Originally Posted by vkrish

Why does the King not wear uniform..Every other King has and most likely will wear a uniform while visiting or receiving a fellow monarch..
I feel uniform adds a lot to the "chivalry" of out modern royal men..

If not mistaken, King QA had to give up his military job therefore he won't be seen in uniform again.

[Muhler]

Summary of article in Billed Bladet #26, 2013.
Kongen var selv pilot - The king was the pilot.
Written by Annelise Weimann.

After one and a half hours of flight with King Willem-Alexander by the controls, the NLRF plane touched down in Copenhagen ten minutes before scheduled. to be met by the Danish Regent Couple.
As this is only a introductory visit the honour guard was not wearing red gala uniforms.
QMII wore a silk-satin dress by Celli Freifeldt and a hat by Per Falk Hansen.
Queen Maxima is a tall woman, because it's very rare to see a lady having to bend down in the knees in order to kiss QMII on the cheeks!
From here it was off to Fredensborg, about an hours drive or so away. QMII & King W-A in one car and PH and Maxima in another.
They apparently had plenty to talk about because they were still chatting away when they arrived at and entered Fredensborg palace. QMII & King W-A were heard speaking English, while PH & Maxima spoke French, pausing only briefly to wave at the locals who had shown up to see the giraffes. (*)
Twenty minutes later, giving the Majesties time to wash their hands I presume, Joachim and our Marie arrived. Marie looking splendid in a red dress, while Joachim had adorned himself with a tie in Dutch orange, complete with elephants. (**)
Present at the lunch were also the Danish PM, Helle Thorning (***) and various ministers as well as the Chairman of the Parliament.

However, when it was time to leave the Dutch couple were followed to the car, but PH needed to support himself by the arm of a footman, being in obvious pain. And QMII supported her husband back up the stairs again. - They are getting older.

Then it was off to Christiansborg, the Parliament, where the Chairman took King W-A and Queen Maxima on a guided tour and offered a drink, before they had a meeting with the PM. (****)
Upon leaving some resident Dutch had taken up position and started to cheer, promting Queen Maxima to go towards them, and then two boys, wearing the orange color surged forward and presented Maxima with a white rose and a drawing each. (The boys are seen and interviewed, in English, in the TV2 clip above.
At a little past 17.00, after six hours the Dutch Regent Couple took off and flew back to the Netherlands after this their third curtesy call.

(*) Idiom. Used to describe seeing something very novel.

(**) His dress sense has gotten pretty wild since marrying Marie. Almost rebellious!

(***) Who at a speech at the midsummer celebrations a couple of days ago said she was a bit tired that only witches are (symbollically) burned at the stake on that evening, she called for sorcerors too to be burned. - I can sympathize with her. It must be unsetteling to watch effigies of colleagues being burned...

(****) The PM's office, Statsministeriet, is a part of Christiansborg complex.

[gerry]

Originally Posted by Muhler

A charming clip from TV2 of the visit: TV 2 Nyhederne - Video

Dear Muhler! Thank you for posting the wonderful clip of King Willem Alexander (it seems still odd to call him king!) visit to Copenhagen with his Queen Maxima. I was glad to see that the local Dutch population has not lost their 'orange-ness' but wondered that the children speak English rather than Danish. I imagine there are Dutch language schools in Copenhagen, that would possibly explain their lack of Danish. However, my lack of Danish meant I could not follow what the commentator and the Prime Minister (who seems even more beautiful lately!) said about the visit. Is there a chance you could enlighten us? Mange tak

[Muhler]

Originally Posted by gerry

Dear Muhler! Thank you for posting the wonderful clip of King Willem Alexander (it seems still odd to call him king!) visit to Copenhagen with his Queen Maxima. I was glad to see that the local Dutch population has not lost their 'orange-ness' but wondered that the children speak English rather than Danish. I imagine there are Dutch language schools in Copenhagen, that would possibly explain their lack of Danish. However, my lack of Danish meant I could not follow what the commentator and the Prime Minister (who seems even more beautiful lately!) said about the visit. Is there a chance you could enlighten us? Mange tak

It shall be my pleasure.

Well, it was basically an explanation of the purpose of the visit. - I.e. the new colleague dropping by to say hi to his workmates.
An overview of the activities during the visit, while determining that King Willem-Alexander and Queen Maxima are the first of the generation of Frederik, to become majesties.
And that Norway, Belgium and Great Britain are next on the list of curtesy visits.

The PM, said she looked forward to be visited by the Dutch Regent Couple at her office and that they would be talking about their new position and that DK and the Netherlands are close.

I presume the boys attend one of the international schools in Copenhagen, where the language is English.

[Cinderella5x]

Originally Posted by ricarda

Their presence would have emphasized the age gap whereas IMO both queens tried to cover it up with their outfits.

While I agree that QMII has a faible for strong colours as well as flowers I cannot recall her dressing like that (strong colours+flowers) for a day event at any of the incoming state visits in the last couple of years.

Marie and Joachim are in similar age to Frederik and Mary and they were there, so the age gap was emphasized, I would think.

[Archduchess Zelia]

Originally Posted by ricarda

Their presence would have emphasized the age gap whereas IMO both queens tried to cover it up with their outfits.

While I agree that QMII has a faible for strong colours as well as flowers I cannot recall her dressing like that (strong colours+flowers) for a day event at any of the incoming state visits in the last couple of years.

But that's irrelevant since WA and Máxima are King and Queen now, they're at the same "level" as QMII and Henrik and therefore they gonna meet with them and not Mary and Frederik. And as Cinderella5x mentioned, Marie and Joachim were there, so I still don't quite understand?

I still don't think there's anything odd about her outfit from yesterday. This is a picture from the Greek state visit in 2009, and while she wasn't wearing flowers that day, she was wearing a lovely pink attire with an interesting pink hat. I don't think she's trying to cover up her age, she's just wearing what she likes to wear, and that happens to be bright, colourful dresses preferably with some pattern on

[ashelen]

I must say I love the look of the Queen Margrathe and Maxima , both in their own styles look lovely! what is the flight duration form Holland to Denmark? around an hour? I guess Maxima got ready with her clothing , high heels, make up and hair in the plane? she arrived so perfect that to be siting an hour in the plane with all her perfect hair and make up is a kind of uncomfortable to relax! wonder how it works in this shorts trips but state visits where still a trip make you tired and you have to look fabulous when you arrive! and after that day run home to see your kids and in this particular date to celebrate one of your daughters birthday!

[carlota]

Originally Posted by ashelen

I must say I love the look of the Queen Margrathe and Maxima , both in their own styles look lovely! what is the flight duration form Holland to Denmark? around an hour? I guess Maxima got ready with her clothing , high heels, make up and hair in the plane? she arrived so perfect that to be siting an hour in the plane with all her perfect hair and make up is a kind of uncomfortable to relax! wonder how it works in this shorts trips but state visits where still a trip make you tired and you have to look fabulous when you arrive! and after that day run home to see your kids and in this particular date to celebrate one of your daughters birthday!

holland is not far from denmark and getting ready at home is always easier than on a flight (appart from the fact she would have gotten access to her hairdresser and make up artist - if she did - while at home and not on the plane). i think for longer flights it's normal that they get ready on the plane but with this one being so short, i doubt it's worth it.