Second part:
Part of his job is the help promote Danish export and business on travels abroad and that is something he takes very seriously. Fortunately he and Mary share the same approach to how to do that and after such a trip, they evaluate in order to become better at the next visit.
One thing Frederik very much appreciate is that he and Mary gets to meet all sorts of Danes and that they can walk the streets safe and without having negative experiences. That attributes to how the Danes perceive him and his family, so to him this is an extra bonus.
Frederik feels very much Danish when he is watching his mother's New Year speech. It also makes him very proud of his mother.
Sailing is very much in the DNA of Frederik. It's something he inherited from his father, and the joy of sailing is something he has passed on to his eldest son, Christian, who has taken up sailing as a sport.
All the children are accomplished swimmers.
Prince Henrik was fond of Dannebrog and so is Frederik and his family. Last year the family went for a private cruise of Denmark, where they introduced their children to various historical sites. That was a delightful family-outing.
As for the children, he and Mary are in agreement as to what is going to happen to their children and how. That's why it's important to be there for the children and install in them some basic values like common sense, curiosity and the ability to have a positive outlook.
"Why, life is fantastic right now. You should really feel good about every day that goes well. That we are all happy and in good health. In the old days you gave thanks in your evening prayer before going to bed. Today it may be better to stop once in a while. It can be at the end of the week and whenever you like. That you remember: - Hey, how cool is this! Things are working, the family is working and the children are well".
(Personal note: Denmark has often been labelled the happiest country in the world. Whether that is true or not can be discussed. However, they keyword IMO is: contend. - Frederik in the above quote explained the whole reason why we Danes are happy/contend.
That's the yardstick. Nothing more, nothing less.)
It's no secret that Frederik is fond of art, and that he has grown up surrounded by are and by the pleasure for art.
Frederik's interest in art has clearly come from his parents, who expressed themselves through art, an ability Frederik has not inherited however.
Instead he finds a lot of pleasure in viewing art, and that was instrumental in the decision in incorporating modern art into his and Mary's home at Amalienborg.
Frederik is going to take over one day. Something he initially looked on with dread and bewilderment. It wasn't clear to him what it meant to become king one day. It wasn't something he discussed with his parents, so he has felt lost and alone in that regard.
However, times goes and has grown more comfortable in his present role and in the thought of him becoming king. It was a gradual process where he got more tasks and grew more and more into the role.
Based on his own experiences he and Mary are very careful about explaining their children what it is to be a royal and what that entails.
"The Crown Princess and I are together with our children in a different way that I was with my parents. It was a different time. To us it's a huge daily pleasure to share as many hours with our children and for example take and pick them up from school. It makes them feel like all other children.
We are however also very conscious about teaching them that they have a life which is a little more unusual than their classmates and friends.
To me it's exciting to see the difference between myself in my childhood and they, where they are in their time. It's great that the Crown Princess and I can follow them well on their way."
Love is the foundation of any marriage, but also mutual respect and interest in each other. Which is what Frederik finds a lot of pleasure in hearing about Mary experiences at work and also about her plans and commitment.
But the element of surprise is also important in a marriage.
So, is he good at surprising his wife?
"You must ask the Crown Princess. I think so."
Q: You have previously mentioned that You are proud of Your wife?
"It's good to see how she simply keeps on building on what she is working with and that she carries the weight she does, because she pursues some things that are dear to her heart. The Crown Princess will always continue to become better. I'm proud of that attitude. And I'm proud of her accomplishments in general."
Frederik has by no means walked the straight and narrow path to where he is now. Frederik compares that to having hacked his way through the forest rather than following the path. But it hasn't ruined anything for him, nor has it harmed him and that means that he today can feel that whatever he did, he didn't miss that target completely.
Like with everybody else traditions are important for Frederik, not least Christmas. He grew up with certain Christmas traditions, and that's how they should be! However, since Mary entered his life he has loosened up a little and incorporated their own Christmas traditions and also celebrated Christmas the Australian way, albeit initially a little reluctantly.
Another family tradition is summer at Gråsten. This is a place he has grown up with and which to him contains so many happy memories, not least with his beloved mormor, Queen Ingrid, but also his cousins from Berleburg and Greece. So this is a place where his family very much feel at ease.
Now he is looking very much forward to Royal Run.
He wanted to share his joy in physical activity with as many as possible, so after a little thinking this came up. Two distances; one mile and ten kilometers. The shorter distance because 1.600 meters is something most healthy people can accomplish, even if they have really never run before. While ten kilometers might scare most away. - And perhaps, maybe, possibly some will be bitten by the running bug...
Some of Frederik's old Frogman mates believed that when you turn 50, you must run 50 Km, but alas, he wouldn't be able to visit all five cities that day, so...
The interview ends with Frederik admonishing the readers: "The 21st May, when Royal Run takes place is second day of Whitsun, and a bank holiday for many. That's why there is no excuse for not showing up and if no more, then at least dragging yourself through 1.6 km."
You will find the scans of the interview here:
https://app.box.com/s/g61mgkbz2qys8wkaehxqvjhficykq776
And a scan of Frederik's life illustrated here:
https://app.box.com/s/lov9291vc9ybgtwpzwt6p5x0ot5v5r3y
CAUTION!
While many photos will be familiar to you, some are not. Fans of Frederik should consider taking an anti-swoon pill before looking.
Linear Mode
