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02-28-2016, 04:35 AM
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Heir Apparent
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Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: Roskilde, Denmark
Posts: 4,361
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 Thanks Polyesco 
Yes Frederik and Mary and the entire Danish delegation landed last night in Riyadh. And they were greeted at the hotel (this is what we can see on the pictures...)
It was not written in the official program, so I guess it was an unofficial welcome. There was, however, shown clips of the welcome and F&M arrive in TV news here this morning on TV2.
F&M's official (and tightly packed) program starts today.
Today they only have one event - they will meet the country's royal family. We don't have (as the only event) got any information about what time of day they will meet the royal family, though.
How is the weather in Riyadh?
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02-28-2016, 07:30 AM
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Nobility
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Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: Small Town, United States
Posts: 402
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According to World Time Server, the temperature is 81F / 27C and partly cloudy.
We usually see Frederik and Mary holding hands, etc. on these trips, but this one may be a little more restrained. If I remember correctly, public displays of affection are frowned upon in Saudi Arabia. No kissing pictures like the one in Germany 
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02-28-2016, 10:26 AM
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Imperial Majesty
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Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: Eastern Jutland, Denmark
Posts: 16,432
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And we have the first detailed account from the Danish press, Ekstra Bladet: Frede og Mary hyggede med tyran – Ekstra Bladet
Complete with video.
During the four days in Saudi Arabia, M&F live in the royal guest-palace.
They arrived late Saturday night and after breakfast Friday, they were taken for a sightseeing tour of Riyadh.
Later on they had lunch with King Salman, whom Frederik met at the funeral of King Abdullah last year.
With M&F went their Chief-of-Court, Christian Schønau. Frederik's personal assistant, Morten Roland Hansen and Mary's LiW, Christine Pii Hansen.
After the lunch Frederik went to have dinner at the Danish embassy, while Mary went with the King's two sisters, Latifa and Al Jawhara. Their dinner took place at Princess Latifa's residence.
Tomorrow it will be down to business.
Notice the handshaking video. There are two men who do not shake hands with Mary. The first one greet her politely though, while the second one was in my eyes about to pass right by her, when she stretched out her hand, which he refused. I thought that was a bit rude.
BT has more details: Har gjort stort indtryk i ørkenstaten: Nu skal Mary til middag med de saudiske prinsesser - Udland | www.bt.dk
It was actually the intention that both Mary and Frederik should eat dinner at the Danish embassy, but these plans were changed during the lunch, where Mary instead was invited to dine with the King's sisters.
Later Mary will meet Saudi businesswomen.
The article mentions that while women in Saudi Arabia are not allowed to drive cars, a few months ago widows and divorced women were allowed to have their own identity papers.
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02-28-2016, 10:54 AM
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Heir Apparent
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Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: Roskilde, Denmark
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02-28-2016, 11:28 AM
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Majesty
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Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: Torrance, United States
Posts: 6,208
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Question for our Danish posters, has QM ever visited Saudi Arabia?
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02-28-2016, 11:33 AM
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Heir Presumptive
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Join Date: Dec 2012
Location: Giraffe Land, United States
Posts: 2,567
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Yes, thanks for the photos! Interesting trip (or I would find it interesting )
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The future George VII's opinion on infant carriers,
"One is not amused."
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02-28-2016, 11:34 AM
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Imperial Majesty
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Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: Eastern Jutland, Denmark
Posts: 16,432
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Quote:
Originally Posted by TLLK
Question for our Danish posters, has QM ever visited Saudi Arabia?
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Yes, she has.
Back in the 70's. An official state visit.
I remember it clearly as QMII was praised for dressing in a manner that respected the local culture regarding appropriate attire for women, while not going too much on compromise with Danish/Western values at the time. I.e. covering her hair adequately but not fully. Making sure her ankles were covered while still having red nail-polish on her feet.
And I also remember the coverage about PH. Because normally the consort would be entertained by the female members of the Saudi RF, but he is man, so modifications had to be made.
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02-28-2016, 11:38 AM
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Imperial Majesty
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Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: san diego, United States
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02-28-2016, 11:38 AM
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Heir Presumptive
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Join Date: Dec 2012
Location: Giraffe Land, United States
Posts: 2,567
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Muhler
Yes, she has.
Back in the 70's. An official state visit.
I remember it clearly as QMII was praised for dressing in a manner that respected the local culture regarding appropriate attire for women, while not going too much on compromise with Danish/Western values at the time. I.e. covering her hair adequately but not fully. Making sure her ankles were covered while still having red nail-polish on her feet.
And I also remember the coverage about PH. Because normally the consort would be entertained by the female members of the Saudi RF, but he is man, so modifications had to be made.
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From what I can see, Mary did a good job in her dress today as well. Modest yet stylish
As for trying to entertain PH in a manner befitting Himself, well, I'll keep my thoughts to myself... 
__________________
The future George VII's opinion on infant carriers,
"One is not amused."
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02-28-2016, 11:51 AM
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Heir Presumptive
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Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: T., Belgium
Posts: 2,528
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I don't think Mary ever dressed so conservative as what we saw today! I think it's very civil to adapt to the situation of your hosts. Of course it's always nice if these manners exist in both directions. 
About the pictures of the hand shaking: was that during the breakfast ceremony?
I wonder what Frederik was offered to taste in that one picture. I'm not sure he's enjoying it 
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02-28-2016, 11:54 AM
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Imperial Majesty
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Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: Eastern Jutland, Denmark
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Perhaps it was merely hot? And Frederik blew over the spoon in order to cool it?
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02-28-2016, 12:07 PM
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Heir Presumptive
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Join Date: Dec 2012
Location: Giraffe Land, United States
Posts: 2,567
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Muhler
Perhaps it was merely hot? And Frederik blew over the spoon in order to cool it? |
It did not look very appealing to my Western eyes. That's the dark side of being royal; having to eat whatever you are served and being cheerful about it.
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The future George VII's opinion on infant carriers,
"One is not amused."
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02-28-2016, 01:44 PM
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Royal Highness
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Join Date: Jun 2009
Posts: 1,537
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Hannelore
I don't think Mary ever dressed so conservative as what we saw today! I think it's very civil to adapt to the situation of your hosts. Of course it's always nice if these manners exist in both directions.
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I have 2 questions...How long is the flight from Copenhagen to Saudi Arabia? And I see Crown Princess Mary always with a long scarf around her neck...but isn't she supposed to cover her head? Especially in the presence of the Saudi King and when she is outside as well?
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02-28-2016, 02:13 PM
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Commoner
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Join Date: Aug 2015
Location: London, United Kingdom
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Shouldn't her head be covered ?, is she not insulting her hosts by not covering it ?
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02-28-2016, 03:23 PM
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Imperial Majesty
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Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: Eastern Jutland, Denmark
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As far as I understand the hajib is mandatory in public. I.e. a scarf covering all the hair.
While the niqab is optional. I.e. a dress covering the entire body, including the face.
Women are under all circumstances required to wear a loose outfit from head to toe. - Otherwise the Religious Police will intervene.
What have other visiting female royals done?
BB has a video: http://www.billedbladet.dk/kongelige...-saudi-arabien
The visit was well covered tonight on the main news on TV2 at 19.00. The focus being that the visit and commerce offensive is controversial in wide circles.
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02-28-2016, 03:39 PM
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Serene Highness
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Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: xxx, Finland
Posts: 1,117
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Quote:
Originally Posted by RoyalOutcast
Shouldn't her head be covered ?, is she not insulting her hosts by not covering it ?
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I don't know what Mary was supposed to wear but her hosts can't have been too insulted, because during the day, she was asked to dine with the Kings sisters.
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02-28-2016, 03:49 PM
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Royal Highness
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Join Date: Jun 2009
Posts: 1,537
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Muhler
As far as I understand the hajib is mandatory in public. I.e. a scarf covering all the hair.
While the niqab is optional. I.e. a dress covering the entire body, including the face.
Women are under all circumstances required to wear a loose outfit from head to toe. - Otherwise the Religious Police will intervene.
What have other visiting female royals done?
BB has a video: VIDEO: Kronprinsesse Mary og kronprins Frederik modtaget i Saudi Arabien | BILLED-BLADET
The visit was well covered tonight on the main news on TV2 at 19.00. The focus being that the visit and commerce offensive is controversial in wide circles. |
Thank you Muhler! You actually provided the link to a video above which answered my question as to whether CP Mary's head should be covered. From watching the video, during the presentation to the Saudi King at his palace, there is a section shown with other western women who are seated, and they too are not wearing head scarfs. So, it appears that CP Mary has not broken any rules.
And Nordic is correct, if CP Mary had indeed insulted her hosts - she would not have been given the great honor of having dinner with the King's senior female relatives in the royal family. As a matter of fact, it would appear that CP Mary has impressed the Saudi King given the impromptu and unscheduled royal invitation.
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02-28-2016, 04:12 PM
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Heir Apparent
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Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: Athens, Angola
Posts: 5,547
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Quote:
Originally Posted by RoyalOutcast
Shouldn't her head be covered ?, is she not insulting her hosts by not covering it ?
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I think only inside the mosque. Outside it is not an obligation. Princess Ameera was not covering her head either.
I did see in the welcome video with other females not covered though, I suppose they are occidental ?
As for the shake hands, many Muslims do not shake female hands, other do. Iranians I think never do it. In this video some did some did not, it was their choice. I'm sure Mary was advised what to expect, she was not surprised.
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