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Originally Posted by carlota
what is an adjutant mulher and what is the reason for having them? what are their duties exactly? (since i pressume mary travels with her LIW or secretary or both on given ocassions?)
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That's a big question, Carlota.
An adjutant in respect to the DRF (things may vary from country to country) has a number of functions:
A: Being a liason between the royal and the local military and other authorities.
B: Being the male equivalent to a LiW. I.e. a personal assistant.
C: Having a ceremonial role in ecorting a royal.
D: Being formally in charge of the entourage of the royal.
Most of this is based on traditions but also very much so on the roles of sexes beforehand.
An adjutant to a female royal like Mary, would beforehand be in charge of the then much bigger entourage that would accompany her. He would be in charge of accomodation, transport, security, where to eat and convey instructions to local authorities and military garrisons. Basically he would be in charge of everything running smoothly.
The LiW would convey the wishes of Mary to the adjutant and it would be his job to carry them out. It was unthinkable that a noble Lady-in-Waiting should trouble herself with all the tasks above. Her job was to service Mary.
It was equally unthinkable that Mary should concern herself with practical details.
Nowadays that has changed. PET is in charge of close security. Mary's LiW is now in charge of the practical details, including conveying Mary's wishes to whomever she is visiting and if need be arrange accomodation.
That's why we rarely see an adjutant around Mary when she's on the job. Unless there is a ceremonial function.
Like today, when Mary visited the Landtag. Mary is here the direct representative of the Danish head of state and that require a certain protocol and a certain style, which is why an adjutant was allocated. In other words Mary's visit to the Landtag is a notch higher than just a "normal" visit. It's also a way to show respect for the Landtag.
However, an adjutant is also helpful to have around as an extra set of hands to relieve the LiW, who often has plenty to do and carry around.
And he is now only formally in charge of the people following Mary around.
But, there is also a much more omnious role of the adjutant. Now, but especially when Mary become queen.
In case of war, a terrorist attack, an assassination attempt on Mary, a natural disaster, troubles while visiting a foreign country - i.e. when something really serious happens, then the adjutant has a specific role.
It will the job of the PET officers with the help of the local police to ensure the immediate safety of Mary. But the adjutant's job is to bring her a temporary safe place and ensure that a security cordon is set up around her, until she can be evacuated to an even safer place or out of a foreign country.
That includes alerting local military units and order a transport and an escort for her. - Depending naturally on the severity of the situation.
In a foreign country that means functioning as a liason for the local security forces allocated to protect Mary in case of problems and, if possible, taking charge of the FET agents from the embassy sent to provide additional protection and being in charge of the (very likely) military transport sent to evacuate her home.
If in Denmark and if an equivalent to 9/11 should take place and the situation is unclear, it is very likely Mary would be brought to a REGAN bunker. And until she is safe it's the adjutant who is responsible of the evacuation and the security cordon around her.
So yes, an adjutant still has a role nowadays. Even though 99% of the time nothing dramatic happens and the role is primarily ceremonial.
However, when the Regent Couple visited Egypt in the 70's troubles erupted and the Regent Couple was de facto "precautionary evacuated" out. That was an example where the adjutants suddenly had an active role.
Quote:
Originally Posted by polyesco
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Thanks, Polyesco.
Do we know who the prominent looking lady in blue to Mary's left is?
she looks fantastic and glowing!!
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