Crown Princess Mary and the Danish Home Guard

[sgl]

Congratulations to Mary on her promotion to Lieutenant! In one of the photos on the royal web site, it looks like her LIW is sitting next to her. Does anyone know if Mary went through the training with her LIW?

[RubyPrincess168]

One of the photos posted on a previous thread showed her on the training field with a red head which made me wonder the same thing.
http://i43.tinypic.com/301g2uo.jpg
I gotta love a woman (CPM) who goes through military training wearing diamond stud earrings!

[sgl]

Originally Posted by RubyPrincess168

One of the photos posted on a previous thread showed her on the training field with a red head which made me wonder the same thing.
http://i43.tinypic.com/301g2uo.jpg
I gotta love a woman (CPM) who goes through military training wearing diamond stud earrings!

This is the same red head that appears to be sitting next to Mary in one of the other photos taken during her training. If I recall correctly, she has a LIW who looks very similar to this woman.

[ayvee]

Originally Posted by sgl

This is the same red head that appears to be sitting next to Mary in one of the other photos taken during her training. If I recall correctly, she has a LIW who looks very similar to this woman.

Indeed the redhead is Caroline Heering, Princess Mary's LIW and personal secretary. Both Caroline and Princess Mary did the whole training together. As much as I admire Princess Mary, I also admire Caroline for going through this too. What an amazing friend she is to Mary! Can anyone imagine a friend doing this for them or doing this for their friend?

The thing I am still unclear is whether Caroline also got promoted like Princess Mary or not. I know the big news is Princess Mary's completion and promition but Caroline did the same thing so I wonder why there's no mention of Caroling being promoted.

[princess may]

You are correct. The redhead is Caroline Heering, lady in waiting (Danish-hofdame) to CP Mary. She is also Mary's personal secretary. Her husband Peter is a childhood friend of Frederik's. She was appointed LiW in 2006.

[carlota]

caroline is lovely, i love seeing her around! in fact, all of mary's LIWs seemed great, from victoria to tanja. indeed, her and mary seem quite close, although i'm sure it's not a huge effort to do the military training with a friend. i'm sure it must be interesting and not hugely time-consuming.

[ChantalC]

I am amazed to see Princess Mary to contiune her training with the Danish Home Guard. Congratulations to Mary on her promotion to Lieutenant!

[Elsa M.]

What did she do or how many exercises, trainings, etc. did she perform in order to be promoted to Lieutenant? This looks like a very informal rank... does anyone familiar with military things can explain what is usually implied in a promotion from a more junior rank?

[Eliza]

Congrats on her promotion!! I think she's an amazing person to do what she has done and to join this home guard and do military training....it can't be easy for a woman and such a busy woman at that!

[JessRulz]

After becoming a Lieutenant in the Danish Home Guard, Mary gave an interview to the Home Guard's magazine HJV.

Here is the magazine on the website, the interview with Mary is on pages 6-9.

An excerpt in Danish is available on the HJV website, here and here.

One of the above links translated into English can be found here.

[Muhler]

Hjemmeværnet - Kronprinsessen og havmiljøet

An article from the Home Guard about the new vessel Mary will name tomorrow, Sunday 18. September in the town of Kalundborg.

It's a fairly big event with the navy band, parade, military top brass and what not.
The show starts at 09.30 and Mary arrives, with escort at 10.30 after which the Navy Home Guard vessel is named. So far it's designated MHV 912.
Navy Home Guard vessels are for whatever reason always called vessels, not boats or ships. Beforehand they used to be called cutters, but that was when the vessels were nothing more than fishing boats with a mounting for a machine gun.
The 30 present Navy Home Guard vessels are modern and well equipped.
As Kalundborg is located near the main shipping route through the Danish straits, MHV 912's main function is to monitor and combat oil spills. Secondary function is patrol and security.

After the vessel has been named, there will be a photoshoot, after which Mary will sail for a short trip onboard the vessel, before returning to Kalundborg to a reception at Restaurant Fjorden.

This is to me a good indication that Mary has become a de facto patron of the entire Home Guard, even though she's a member of the Army Home Guard.

[iceflower]

Crown Princess Mary at the name-giving ceremony of the Naval Home Guard vessel in
Kalundborg today, September 18, 2011.


** Pic 1 ** Pic 2 ** Pic 3 ** Pic 4 ** nordvestnyt.dk gallery **

** nordvestnyt.dk: Kronprinsesse Mary i Kalundborg ** translation **

[Muhler]

Originally Posted by iceflower

Crown Princess Mary at the name-giving ceremony of the Naval Home Guard vessel in
Kalundborg today, September 18, 2011.
nordvestnyt.dk gallery **

Thank you, Iceflower

A few comments to the gallery, you posted.
http://www.nordvestnyt.dk/artikel/12...?image=1#image
The vessel is named Holger Danske. He was among those who according to legend, fell in a last stand with Roland, a famous Frankish early medieval hero.
Nowadays there is a statue of Holger Danske, an impressive looking warrior who is asleep, in the casemates under Kronborg Castle. Should Denmark ever be in serious trouble, he will wake up from his sleep and slay the enemy. - Well, he slept through WWII...

Kronprinsesse Mary i Kalundborg - www.nordvestnyt.dk - Lokalområder - Kalundborg
As you can tell, it's now early autumn here in DK. The trees are switching from that particular tired green color to the first colors of autumn. The top brass officers are all in full dress uniforms. And as you can see, the navy uniforms are better looking than the army uniforms.

Kronprinsesse Mary i Kalundborg - www.nordvestnyt.dk - Lokalområder - Kalundborg
There she is, the proud MHV 912, aka Holger Danske. Navy Home Guard vessels are, in contrast to navy ships, not armed unless necessary.

Kronprinsesse Mary i Kalundborg - www.nordvestnyt.dk - Lokalområder - Kalundborg
Part of the parade. These are from the Army Home Guard.

Kronprinsesse Mary i Kalundborg - www.nordvestnyt.dk - Lokalområder - Kalundborg
The officer with the sabre is from the Army Home Guard, and I presume Mary is here inspecting the honor guard.

Kronprinsesse Mary i Kalundborg - www.nordvestnyt.dk - Lokalområder - Kalundborg
The navy band. We'll see them tomorrow with Prince Henrik at Battery Sixtus in Copenhagen.

Kronprinsesse Mary i Kalundborg - www.nordvestnyt.dk - Lokalområder - Kalundborg
Mary inspecting the honor guard. The group in the centre is from the Navy Home Guard and like their colleagues to their right, they are wearing service uniforms.
I understand that due to savings, members of the Home Guard are no longer issued the tailor adapted dress uniforms.

Kronprinsesse Mary i Kalundborg - www.nordvestnyt.dk - Lokalområder - Kalundborg
A full view of the parade. The group to our far right is from the Air Home Guard. (QMII was a member of the female branch of what was then known as Luftmeldekorpset = The Air Observation Corps. Who equipped with binoculars and a field telephone were stationed in pairs in towers all over the country).

Kronprinsesse Mary i Kalundborg - www.nordvestnyt.dk - Lokalområder - Kalundborg
The crest in front of the rostrum is the crest of the local Navy Home Guard squadron.

Kronprinsesse Mary i Kalundborg - www.nordvestnyt.dk - Lokalområder - Kalundborg
Looks can be deceptive. This crew would never make it through a Hollywood audition, but they are actually on one hour stand-by.

Kronprinsesse Mary i Kalundborg - www.nordvestnyt.dk - Lokalområder - Kalundborg
On the occassion Mary has been attached an adjutant from the navy. And in case you are wondering the officer to her right is a major general.

Kronprinsesse Mary i Kalundborg - www.nordvestnyt.dk - Lokalområder - Kalundborg
As is so common at such occasions, former members of the resistance have also been invited. The Home Guard was formed after WWII, based on members of the resistance, who did not trust the government to keep on fighting, in case of a new invasion. They feared a repetition of 9th April 1940, where the Danish government surrendered after a few hours of fighting. (They actually had little choice). So the Home Guard was supposed to both be active in the military defence of DK but also to form a cadre for a new resistance movement. As such the vast majority kept their personal weapon and ammunition at home.
Few keep their weapons and ammunition at home nowadays, because of strickter rules in regards to storing the weapon and ammunition.

[Danishla]

Originally Posted by Her_Majesty

As far as I know Crown Princess Victoria of Sweden had a military education, too.

I was quite surprised to see Princess Mary in military attire, but after reading through the commentaries, I feel it makes perfect sense for the crown princess to have this training. I know all Crown Princes fulfill this requirement in England and Spain, etc. What about the other royal houses,do the crown princesses require this training too? (other than Princess Victoria, anyone else?)

[blauerengel]

I really admire CP Mary for doing this training,she´s so cool in her uniform and I always wonder where she takes all this energy to do so much good work while she is also a wife and mother of four children!I know she´s probably having nannies and other help but still she seems to be very involved in their upbringing while she´s doing many royal duties at the same time...

[Muhler]

A gallery from Billed Bladet: https://picasaweb.google.com/1008659...aryIKalundborg

And an article: Billed-Bladet - Kronprinsesse Mary hilste på Holger Danske
Which basically dwell on Mary's sensible clothing, considering the weather.

I can add that the vessel is not named after the Danish mythical hero Holger Danske. It's named after one of the most prominent resistance groups during WWII, Holger Danske. - The group however was named after the legendary hero, Holger Danske. - Confused anyone?

[iceflower]

Not really

The Billed-Bladet pics turned out quite good, thanks for these!


Here's a nice additional gallery from sn.dk!

[Muhler]

Thanks, Iceflower

I like this pic in particular. sn.dk - Sjællands Nyheder
Mary's handbag sure is well guarded! Two from PET and two from the Military Police.

Did any of you notice any LiW accompanying Mary this time? Or did her adjutant and driver step in as substitutes?
I noticed Mary's adjutant was carrying a briefcase. That's unusual. - Perhaps containing Mary's speech?
http://www.nordvestnyt.dk/artikel/12...image=15#image

[dazzling]

I didn't notice any LiW at this event, would there be a reason not one of them would attend?
Mary looked nice. I hope we get a video of the event.
Thanks all for the articles and picture galleries.

[Muhler]

Mary's naming of the new vessel is of course covered on the Navy Home Guard site: Hjemmeværnet - HOLGER DANSKE

Summary of the article Holger Danske, written by Ninna Falck.

No less than six Navy Home Guard vessels had lines up, decorated with banners and flags for this festive occasion.
Mary - and the rain, arrived escorted by military police on motor bikes, to be recieved by the mayor of Kalundborg, the head of the Home Guard, major general Finn Winkler and the head of the Navy Home Guard, kommandør = Commodore Jens Walther.
After inspecting the honor guard it was time for speech by the commodore, before Mary entered the rostrum.
Mary was not supposed to give a speech, she was supposed to name the vessel and that is always done with a few well chosen words: "Her Majesty the Queen has resolved (*) that this Navy Home Guard vessel shall carry the name Holger Danske".
Mary then congratulated the vessel and her crew and called for a three cheers for Holger Danske and her crew.
Mary then boarded the vessel and after a tour, they sailed. Especially invited guests were also onboard, among them two veterans from the resistance group Holger Danske.
The whole thing ended with a reception, with additional speeched and entertainment by the Female Sailors (**) Music Corps of the Navy Home Guard.

There is also clip from the regional news: Mary døbte skib | TV2 ØST
Notice at 01.08, where Mary is inspecting the honor guard. The band is playing the Colour March, which is also a salute, in this case to Mary.
The children at the very end of the clip are patiently waiting for Mary to return from her trip with the new vessel. One of them tried out Mary's chair. - It was soft.

(*) Notice the archaic expression "resolved". Charming isn't it? QMII approves all names and crests for all new navy ships and Navy Home Guard vessels. As such she really do "resolve" the name.

(**) Denmark has never had a marine corps. Soldiers serving onboard ships were from the army. As such a marine (mariner) in Danish means a sailor serving in the navy and not a marine infantry man.

It looked to me like this was very much a novel experience for Mary and she seem slightly hesitant at times. She has taken part in military ceremonial before, but always with Frederik or the rest of the DRF. Here she was playing the main part, and there she suddenly was surrounded by military traditions, ceremonial and officers who know each other.