Crown Prince Frederik's 50th Birthday Celebrations: May 2018

[Duc_et_Pair]

Originally Posted by Mbruno

Were they invited ?





I guess you mean that they (the BRF) "must have been invited". Modals have different semantic values in different germanic languages and that may cause some confusion.



Probably they were invited, but we simply don't know unless the Court confirms it. A conspiracy theorist would suggest there may be some retaliation for the lack of European royal guests at Harry and Meghan's wedding, but the Danish court is too professional to engage in that sort of "tit-for-tat" policy.





Queen Sofia or Infanta Elena could have attended. They would have to go alone, but GD Henri also attended Queen Margrethe's 75th birthday gala by himself, didn't he ?

Sadly the Infanta Doña Elena is no member anymore of the King's House. Doña Sofía could have attended but maybe she was in Altshausen or she was probably represented by her brother Konstantinos.

Originally Posted by wartenberg7

I´m sure they were! Why would the BENELUX states and even Liechtenstein be invited then and the UK not...?

Again and again, they do not have interest in mingling with their continental counterparts, except they have to because of official visits or engagements with the exception of weddings of heirs to the thrones - but this is rather a taking part as a duty, not because they enjoy in doing so...
I mean, Prince Harry not even having invited the greek royal family, or at least 1 or 2 members, for his wedding although his grandfather comes from it, his father is terribly close to the Ex-Monarchs that he even chose Constantine a godfather of brother William, speaks volumes! He rather decided to invite these, partly, ridiculous show-biz, celebrities instead....

For the 40th and 50th birthday of Willem-Alexander the Wessexes were present, so it is not true that they only do "duty".

[Muhler]

Originally Posted by Mbruno

I guess you mean that they (the BRF) "must have been invited". Modals have different semantic values in different germanic languages and that may cause some confusion.

I meant "should have been invited" as in it being most unusual if they had not.

In fact the former Chief-of-Ceremonies, Christian Eugen Olsen, expressed considerable surprise the BRF was not represented.
The absence of the Spanish royals was no surprise as they are a bit understaffed these years in regards to working adult couples.
Monaco was not discussed.

I understand the DRF (can't say about other Continental RFs) extend a general invitation to the various royal families, who then let it be known who will come.
While the BRF extend personal invitations. Hence why Victoria and Daniel went to W&K's wedding instead of the Swedish King and Queen, rather than accompanying them which is more common on the Continent.

[Archduchess Zelia]

Originally Posted by Mbruno

Were they invited ?

Such a ridiculous question that always comes up when the BRF choose to be absent. Of course they were invited. The collective European royal families haven't made some sort of pact to exclude the British royals – they themselves choose to exclude themselves from most European gatherings despite having an abundance of people they could potentially send. To me, it's a laughable holier-than-thou attitude to have (an attitude most appallingly exhibited for Queen Fabiola's funeral), but it's their choice. It is what it is, but please, let's not make up excuses for them

[Mbruno]

Originally Posted by Muhler

I meant "should have been invited" as in it being most unusual if they had not.

I am not sure if I understood what you were saying then. To me, when one says "They should have been invited", that means they ought to have been invited (i.e. it would have been right or expected to invite them), but, for some reason, they were not. When I want to say that they were probably invited, I say "they must have been invited".

[Stefan]

Originally Posted by Duc_et_Pair

Sadly the Infanta Doña Elena is no member anymore of the King's House. Doña Sofía could have attended but maybe she was in Altshausen or she was probably represented by her brother Konstantinos.

Infanta Pilar was also no member of the official Royal Family when her brother was King but stil she represented him at some Events of former reigning Families abroad. There was also nobody from the at the funeral in Altshausen.

[Duke of Marmalade]

Originally Posted by Mbruno

Queen Sofia or Infanta Elena could have attended. They would have to go alone, but GD Henri also attended Queen Margrethe's 75th birthday gala by himself, didn't he ?

Felipe is Frederik's peer and very likely they have been friends on a personal level for many years, Felipe is Vincent's godfather.
Felipe (and Letizia) could not attend because they had an important event in Spain (would have been interesting to see in case there was no Armed Forces event, if Felipe would have shown up on his own or if Letizia would have come as well, royal watchers would have loved to see her in the same room as MC after her tweet).


It's quite confusing that Sofia chose not to attend since a lot of the guests are even related to her from the greek side of the family and she usually loves to mingle on high profile royal events, and this certainly was a high profile event, with lots of reigning Queens/Kings / CPs / ex-Kings present.

[wartenberg7]

Originally Posted by Duc_et_Pair

For the 40th and 50th birthday of Willem-Alexander the Wessexes were present, so it is not true that they only do "duty".

I knew someone would point to one or another occasion just to stress "Oh, but there and then they did attend, so you´re wrong...!"

Yes, one will always find some small exceptions to the rule...

[Muhler]

Originally Posted by Mbruno

I am not sure if I understood what you were saying then. To me, when one says "They should have been invited", that means they ought to have been invited (i.e. it would have been right or expected to invite them), but, for some reason, they were not. When I want to say that they were probably invited, I say "they must have been invited".

I trust you understand what I mean now.

[O-H Anglophile]

Originally Posted by wartenberg7

Margrethe seems to be in her "pink period" (a pink dress for the exhibition of her son´s new painting, pink on the balcony yesterday and some kind of pink last night) - a bit too much of pink IMO for a almost 80 year old...

I don't think colors are age specific.
Would it be better if she only wore black like Queen Victoria?

[MidwestMom]

There has been some discussion about Nikolai not having the Order of the Elephant, but there are some medals on his lapel. Does anyone know what they are? Also, the Daily Mail says that QMII wore her daisy brooch for the balcony appearance because it's the national flower of Denmark. Is that true? If not, what is Denmark's national flower?

Wonderful event. Thanks to all for their links, translations, and comments.

[Mbruno]

Originally Posted by wartenberg7

I knew someone would point to one or another occasion just to stress "Oh, but there and then they did attend, so you´re wrong...!"

Yes, one will always find some small exceptions to the rule...

I can't answer for Duc et Pair, but I guess he meant that Edward and Sophie actually seem to have a personal relationship with many of the continental crown princes/princesses and former crown princes (now monarchs), as shown by the fact that they attended Willem-Alexander's birthday parties and other private events.

It is indeed odd that they didn't attend yesterday because, according to the British posters ( I didn't check), they had no previously scheduled engagements. Maybe if they had received a personal invitation,rather than a court-to-court invitation sent to Buckingham Palace, they may have come. With a court-to-court invitation , a decision could have been made (high up by the Queen herself) that no one would be sent and Edward and Sophie were not even consulted. I think it is totally unfair to blame them for not showing up.

Originally Posted by Stefan

Infanta Pilar was also no member of the official Royal Family when her brother was King but stil she represented him at some Events of former reigning Families abroad. There was also nobody from the at the funeral in Altshausen.

I agree. Infanta Elena is still an HRH and will be for the rest of her life. She doesn't need to be an official member of the Royal House (Casa Real) to represent the King in some family events, unless there is some kind of political issue about the Royal House reimbursing her for the cost of taking part in such events. It may seem far-fetched, but given the scrutiny the monarchy gets in Spain, it wouldn't surprise me.

[JR76]

Originally Posted by MidwestMom

There has been some discussion about Nikolai not having the Order of the Elephant, but there are some medals on his lapel. Does anyone know what they are? Also, the Daily Mail says that QMII wore her daisy brooch for the balcony appearance because it's the national flower of Denmark. Is that true? If not, what is Denmark's national flower?

Wonderful event. Thanks to all for their links, translations, and comments.

Denmark has no official flower but Daisy won a competition in the 80s no doubt because of the flowers connection to the Queen.

[Archduchess Zelia]

Originally Posted by MidwestMom

There has been some discussion about Nikolai not having the Order of the Elephant, but there are some medals on his lapel. Does anyone know what they are?

Commemorative medals. From birthdays, jubilees and the like

[polyesco]

Thank you all for the wonderful coverage.
What a lovely day. Balcony, carriage, dinner. So much love.

Galleries from the DRF
De kongeliges ankomst til gallataffel | Kongehuset
Gallataffel på Christiansborg Slot | Kongehuset

love the Queen's and Mary's speech.
So full of emotion
Frederik was beaming
https://tv2i.dk/users/editorial/imag...f512254087483c

[Charlotte_Aster]

Originally Posted by MidwestMom

There has been some discussion about Nikolai not having the Order of the Elephant, but there are some medals on his lapel. Does anyone know what they are?

They are the commemorative medals presented to the members of DRF. I believe Nikolai is wearing the Medal for the 100th Anniversary of the Birth of King Frederik IX, Queen Ingrid Commemorative Medal, Prince Henriks 75th Birthday Medal, Commemorative Medal on the Occasion of the 70th Birthday of Her Majesty Queen Margrethe, Commemorative Medal for the Ruby Jubilee of Queen Margarethe of Denmark, Commemorative Medal on the Occasion of the 75th Birthday of Her Majesty Queen Margrethe and Commemorative Medal for the Golden Wedding of Her Majesty Queen Margrethe and His Royal Highness Prince Henrik.

[Mbruno]

Originally Posted by Archduchess Zelia

Commemorative medals. From birthdays, jubilees and the like

BTW, will there be a commemorative medal for yesterday's birthday ?

[Charlotte_Aster]

Originally Posted by Mbruno

BTW, will there be a commemorative medal for yesterday's birthday ?

I doubt it since it hasn't been announced up till now. Besides, the commemorative medals are usually issued for the anniversaries of the Regent or Regent Couple.
I guess the next medal will be the 80th Birthday Medal of QM.

[tommy100]

Originally Posted by Archduchess Zelia

Such a ridiculous question that always comes up when the BRF choose to be absent. Of course they were invited. The collective European royal families haven't made some sort of pact to exclude the British royals – they themselves choose to exclude themselves from most European gatherings despite having an abundance of people they could potentially send. To me, it's a laughable holier-than-thou attitude to have (an attitude most appallingly exhibited for Queen Fabiola's funeral), but it's their choice. It is what it is, but please, let's not make up excuses for them

I doubt the BRF weren't invited. The most likely people to attend were the Earl and Countess of Wessex, it may be worth noting its half term and a bank holiday weekend here in the UK so they may well have long standing plans to take the children away, who knows. They obviously get on well with European royals and Edward is even godfather to one of Joachim's children so I'm sure if they could have gone they would have. I think the difference between some European monarchies and the Windsors is that they wouldn't just send someone else but let those with a personal connection go, if they can't then they don't just send someone else whereas other monarchies might.

I have to say at times watching last night I wouldn't have been surprised if they had announced MII was abdicating. I've never thought she would but this just seemed such a grand celebration, I guess in part maybe its a first step in getting us use to seeing Frederik centre of attention in a way he will when he is King. I was surprised we didn't see Harald and Sonja from Norway but then hasn't Harald been ill recently? Also I thought we would see Guillaume and Stephanie, not that its not nice to see MT and Henri.

[Stefanie]

Are there any close up' s of the Greeks- especially Phillipos?
And if yes where can I find them?

[Muhler]

Originally Posted by tommy100

I have to say at times watching last night I wouldn't have been surprised if they had announced MII was abdicating. I've never thought she would but this just seemed such a grand celebration, I guess in part maybe its a first step in getting us use to seeing Frederik centre of attention in a way he will when he is King. I was surprised we didn't see Harald and Sonja from Norway but then hasn't Harald been ill recently? Also I thought we would see Guillaume and Stephanie, not that its not nice to see MT and Henri.

It wouldn't have surprised me either.

She looked frail to me, more frail for every year. But don't get me wrong, her mind is still sharp!
However, should QMII consider abdicating this is the year where she is most likely to do so.
This week has been a tremendous PR success for Frederik. This was Frederik being hailed as the new king. Not in title, but in the minds of the Danes.

I'm serious! Judging from the comments and editorials he and Mary has now got the final stamp of approval. Even, grudgingly, from republicans.

It must be good for QMII to know that the succession is secure.
When I listened to Mary's speech yesterday, I looked at QMII more than Frederik and the thought that came to mind, was back in the 90's when Queen Ingrid suddenly gave an improvised speech to her daughter, saying that now she can safely close her eyes.
I don't want QMII to close her eyes now, instead I want her to enjoy her remaining years being proud of her son, the king.

I would like for QMII to abdicate. Partly because M&F are at their prime now, but also because I would like the day when Frederik becomes king to be a happy day.
QMII is immensely respected as it is, if she gives way to M&F there will be no end to the praise she will get. She will never be remembered as an old woman who clinged to the throne until she eventually died of old age. And Frederik will never be a "Prince Charles" (which is a considerable concern on the streets here in DK).