Crown Princess Mary's Working Visit to New York: September 27-October 1, 2012

[dazzling]

Originally Posted by Roskilde

I too don't understand why her visit isn't covered more? Is it maybe because it is weekend?

Its the weekend, many agencies don't publish pictures. Moreover, we got a pretty good amount of pictures and information from her first event in New York so the event is being covered.

[Nordic]

Originally Posted by Roskilde

I too don't understand why her visit isn't covered more? Is it maybe because it is weekend?

I don't think it's surprising that there are no photos of all the events on the program.
The launch of the media project "Why Poverty" last Thursday and the launch of the "High Level Task Force on ICPD" tomorrow are more public events. We have photos of the first event.
The meetings and briefings Friday-Sunday are just that, work meetings.

Re the speech: I thought the event was about launching the: "Why Poverty? - a ground breaking, cross-media event, online and on TV, using films to get people talking about poverty" and not so much about donations? Or have I got that wrong?

If Mary is to be part of the international panel, the "High Level Task Force for the ICPD" which "will help to ensure the global fight against maternal mortality and promote women’s reproductive health, rights and access to family planning" she more or less has to travel to NY or other places for meetings and such.

[Roskilde]

Originally Posted by dazzling

Its the weekend, many agencies don't publish pictures. Moreover, we got a pretty good amount of pictures and information from her first event in New York so the event is being covered.

Originally Posted by Nordic

I don't think it's surprising that there are no photos of all the events on the program.
The launch of the media project "Why Poverty" last Thursday and the launch of the "High Level Task Force on ICPD" tomorrow are more public events. We have photos of the first event.
The meetings and briefings Friday-Sunday are just that, work meetings.

That makes good sense. Thanks for answering dazzling and Nordic

[Dman]

I think Crown Princess Mary made a very effective speech. I would've been nice if her visit was covered a bit more.

[gerry]

Originally Posted by AnnaNotherThing

I watched the video...and I always think it is quite condescending (perhaps not the right word) or self-righteous or cringeworthy of people like Princess Mary who advocate that for '$25 a woman can have safe birth or whatever...' when her life is what it is, one of privilege and wealth and endless Louboutins it seems...I like Mary - don't get me wrong - but this kind of preachy ideals really bugs me...It seems meaningless that she can say things like this and be concerned and then not put her money where her mouth is...I could be wrong but what is the point of people like Mary and celebs like Danny Glover to be there...PR? To get normal people like US to donate to this cause? They talk about the gap between rich and poor widening...and why is this? Baffling...

Thank you for your observation that questions the value of celebrity in today's hyperconnected world, as Muhler points out. The Prince of Wales once remarked that he could just as easily spend his time skiing rather than advocating for one of his many causes, but he uses his 'news-worthiness' to bring attention to something he cares about. The Crown Princess does put her money where her mouth is by taking valuable time away from her family to bring her celebrity to New York and allowing it to shine on the issue of maternal health that she has embraced wholeheartedly. She did not wear her Louboutin shoes at the NY appearance, I am sure you noticed!

[NGalitzine]

Originally Posted by carlota

it was what i thought, exactly, when i heard about the 25 USD in her speech. i bet that just this trip, with all the transportation, hotels, security costs, etc, has a value of many, many multiples of 25 USD - perhaps even many more than what this speech will actually get people to donate.

just a thought.

Look at it this way. Had Mary not attended and given a speech would you even have given a moments thought to the issue or been aware of what $25 could do? Would you even have considered donating $25 to help the cause?

[Catherine J]

Originally Posted by Roskilde

I too don't understand why her visit isn't covered more? Is it maybe because it is weekend?

I believe the American press is like the press everywhere else. The royalty that is interesting to them works like this:

1. The young and glamorous members of the BRF - all press is interested in them because many average people will read the coverage

2. Monaco - primarily because of the Princess Grace connection but also because they are among the very few royals left with administrative/executive power

3. Any royalty that is scandal-ridden and/or newsworthy in their own right outside of their own realm


So, Mary would get coverage in Australia and in Denmark and other isolated areas of Europe.

Just a guess.

[carlota]

Originally Posted by NGalitzine

Look at it this way. Had Mary not attended and given a speech would you even have given a moments thought to the issue or been aware of what $25 could do? Would you even have considered donating $25 to help the cause?

i refer back to my first comment. the cost of her trip will be many times 25 dollars, i bet that is a sum way higher than the total of what people like me would donate. so why not cut the story short and just give that money away to a charity on maternity in underdevelopped countries?

this is not just for mary, but in general for most royals who should practice what they preach.

[gerry]

Originally Posted by carlota

i refer back to my first comment. the cost of her trip will be many times 25 dollars, i bet that is a sum way higher than the total of what people like me would donate. so why not cut the story short and just give that money away to a charity on maternity in underdevelopped countries?

this is not just for mary, but in general for most royals who should practice what they preach.

Perhaps you should then regard the money spent on the trip as a donation to the cause.

[AnnaNotherThing]

In my opinion it is events like this that actually widen the gap between rich and poor...It is a high profile talk-fest attended by all the movers and shakers blabbing and blahing about all the problems in the world, raising awareness (hate this phrase) and yet all the while expecting US, the average person trying to make ends meet, maybe not poor but perhaps on the brink and walking the fine line every day to give some of OUR money to a cause that is both overwhelming (where to start?) and media oversaturated (apathy and indifference rule) that the cynic in me tends to think why don't the wealthy classes just forgo all these costly overseas jaunts and just donate directly in lieu of attendance...Now that would impress me! I think royals and whoever else do these things partly to make themselves feel better, that they are somehow contributing to the effort which perhaps eases the guilt of their opulent lifestyle?

[gerry]

Originally Posted by AnnaNotherThing

In my opinion it is events like this that actually widen the gap between rich and poor...It is a high profile talk-fest attended by all the movers and shakers blabbing and blahing about all the problems in the world, raising awareness (hate this phrase) and yet all the while expecting US, the average person trying to make ends meet, maybe not poor but perhaps on the brink and walking the fine line every day to give some of OUR money to a cause that is both overwhelming (where to start?) and media oversaturated (apathy and indifference rule) that the cynic in me tends to think why don't the wealthy classes just forgo all these costly overseas jaunts and just donate directly in lieu of attendance...Now that would impress me! I think royals and whoever else do these things partly to make themselves feel better, that they are somehow contributing to the effort which perhaps eases the guilt of their opulent lifestyle?

Who knows, maybe she also donated, but unfortunately pictures of Danish kroner don't.sell as well as those of the Crown Princess

[NGalitzine]

Originally Posted by AnnaNotherThing

In my opinion it is events like this that actually widen the gap between rich and poor...It is a high profile talk-fest attended by all the movers and shakers blabbing and blahing about all the problems in the world, raising awareness (hate this phrase) and yet all the while expecting US, the average person trying to make ends meet, maybe not poor but perhaps on the brink and walking the fine line every day to give some of OUR money to a cause that is both overwhelming (where to start?) and media oversaturated (apathy and indifference rule) that the cynic in me tends to think why don't the wealthy classes just forgo all these costly overseas jaunts and just donate directly in lieu of attendance...Now that would impress me! I think royals and whoever else do these things partly to make themselves feel better, that they are somehow contributing to the effort which perhaps eases the guilt of their opulent lifestyle?

In other words you would prefer not to know about the problem, not be informed of ways you could possibly help, just sweep it under the carpet and let somone else take care of the problem if they feel it is of such importance.
No one is forcing you to personally give money and we do not know if Mary herself or the Mary Foundation has given money or if the UN is (since Mary is a UN Spokesperson) directing money towards the problem. No one is even forcing you to learn more about the problem. I don't think Mary has any need to feel guilty about doing her job well or for looking good while doing it.

[Catherine J]

Originally Posted by AnnaNotherThing

...eases the guilt of their opulent lifestyle?

Oh my. That old sway backed horse?

I don't know a soul who has truly thought about it that thinks that the hard work and lifestyle of a working royal could possibly be compensated for with mere opulence. Living in a castle is probably just drafty and takes too long to get anywhere. Being a clothes horse can only be fun when you don't *have* to be every time you step into the public eye. Wearing ten pound necklaces can't be fun either. Having nice cars to ride in loses some of its joy when you can't just go out for a drive in the country on Sunday in them. Having access to lots of cash must be a stress and a half when the whole world will have an opinion on how you spend it. Being a walking, talking baby making machine (male or female) must be a little weighty, too. And then there's the constant pressure to be working at public service. And you can never retire. Or change jobs. A bodyguard wherever you go? People waiting to snap a picture when you're chewing or sneezing or sun bathing? Everyone second guessing everything you do...

No, I am guessing opulence is a small, small compensation.

You assume they feel guilty about drafty castles and living in a fishbowl? We should feel guilty for being so damn judgmental. There is not enough opulence in this whole wide world, all piled in one place, to make me feel *envious* of it.

I have respect for those that do it well. BIG respect which has nothing at all to do with their titles and other such superficial nonsense - respect for their willingness to do it at all, frankly.

[Muhler]

Originally Posted by AnnaNotherThing

In my opinion it is events like this that actually widen the gap between rich and poor...It is a high profile talk-fest attended by all the movers and shakers blabbing and blahing about all the problems in the world, raising awareness (hate this phrase) and yet all the while expecting US, the average person trying to make ends meet, maybe not poor but perhaps on the brink and walking the fine line every day to give some of OUR money to a cause that is both overwhelming (where to start?) and media oversaturated (apathy and indifference rule) that the cynic in me tends to think why don't the wealthy classes just forgo all these costly overseas jaunts and just donate directly in lieu of attendance...Now that would impress me! I think royals and whoever else do these things partly to make themselves feel better, that they are somehow contributing to the effort which perhaps eases the guilt of their opulent lifestyle?

Okay, let's do that.

Mary launches the initiative by holding a video conference with a number of selected persons. The press is invited to look on and get a videoclip of Mary giving a speech and saying hello - In Denmark. Oh, they can get some photos as well.
Aaaand how big an interest do you think that will create in the international media?
Just as importantly how many of the key figures internationally would notice this, let alone care?
This is very as much about personal contacts. Why else do diplomats and businessmen travel out to meet their opposite numbers?

[Nordic]

Originally Posted by NGalitzine

No one is forcing you to personally give money and we do not know if Mary herself or the Mary Foundation has given money or if the UN is (since Mary is a UN Spokesperson) directing money towards the problem. No one is even forcing you to learn more about the problem. I don't think Mary has any need to feel guilty about doing her job well or for looking good while doing it.

The Mary Foundation donated money to Maternity Worldwide/Denmark project in Ethiopia a couple of years ago.
The money was used to send a Danish midwife to a clinic in Gimbe for one year.
They also donated money to a joint project in North Uganda with the Danish Refugee Council to provide microloans to poor women.

The Mary Foundation website has information about this but it's only in Danish.

[rubies]

Originally Posted by AnnaNotherThing

In my opinion it is events like this that actually widen the gap between rich and poor...It is a high profile talk-fest attended by all the movers and shakers blabbing and blahing about all the problems in the world, raising awareness (hate this phrase) and yet all the while expecting US, the average person trying to make ends meet, maybe not poor but perhaps on the brink and walking the fine line every day to give some of OUR money to a cause that is both overwhelming (where to start?) and media oversaturated (apathy and indifference rule) that the cynic in me tends to think why don't the wealthy classes just forgo all these costly overseas jaunts and just donate directly in lieu of attendance...Now that would impress me! I think royals and whoever else do these things partly to make themselves feel better, that they are somehow contributing to the effort which perhaps eases the guilt of their opulent lifestyle?

I like what you said. I agree on many levels.

[Muhler]

A TV2 article about one of the main items on Mary's agenda in New York: Kronprinsesse Mary kæmper for prævention - TV 2 Nyhederne

Access to prevention/birth control and sexual education, which is in particular aimed at women - they are after all the ones who are getting pregnant.
It is estimated that 200 million people worldwide do not have access to prevention.
Each day 800 women die while giving birth.
As such a task force of 26 people, Mary being one of them, has no been set up to help in regards to providing information about prevention and also basic information in connection with pregnancies and giving birth.

[Marika86]

Crown Princess Mary arrives at the Ford Foundation building to attend a event about High Level Task Force for ICPD in New York, NY. October 1, 2012

Pic 1 ** Pic 2 ** Pic 3 ** Pic 4 ** Pic 5 ** Pic 6 ** Pic 7 ** Pic 8

[Daria_S]

Originally Posted by Catherine J

Oh my. That old sway backed horse?

I don't know a soul who has truly thought about it that thinks that the hard work and lifestyle of a working royal could possibly be compensated for with mere opulence. Living in a castle is probably just drafty and takes too long to get anywhere. Being a clothes horse can only be fun when you don't *have* to be every time you step into the public eye. Wearing ten pound necklaces can't be fun either. Having nice cars to ride in loses some of its joy when you can't just go out for a drive in the country on Sunday in them. Having access to lots of cash must be a stress and a half when the whole world will have an opinion on how you spend it. Being a walking, talking baby making machine (male or female) must be a little weighty, too. And then there's the constant pressure to be working at public service. And you can never retire. Or change jobs. A bodyguard wherever you go? People waiting to snap a picture when you're chewing or sneezing or sun bathing? Everyone second guessing everything you do...

No, I am guessing opulence is a small, small compensation.

You assume they feel guilty about drafty castles and living in a fishbowl? We should feel guilty for being so damn judgmental. There is not enough opulence in this whole wide world, all piled in one place, to make me feel *envious* of it.

I have respect for those that do it well. BIG respect which has nothing at all to do with their titles and other such superficial nonsense - respect for their willingness to do it at all, frankly.

Bravo ! Very, very well said. I think many see the glamour of the royal lifestyle, and forget that there's a lot of work and stress that come with it. It may look delightful from afar, but up close, it's just as nerve-wrecking as a life of someone who has to worry about making deadlines, etc. on his/her 'regular' job. I have a lot of respect for these people as well. They do a great job representing their countries, and smile and nod when on the inside they may be hurting due to a scandal that wasn't their making, family tragedy, or any other issues.

Originally Posted by Marika86

Crown Princess Mary arrives at the Ford Foundation building to attend a event about High Level Task Force for ICPD in New York, NY. October 1, 2012

Pic 1 ** Pic 2 ** Pic 3 ** Pic 4 ** Pic 5 ** Pic 6 ** Pic 7 ** Pic 8

Glad to see that Mary made another visit to 'my' place of residence. I always get excited when we are lucky to get a royal visitor.

[Roskilde]

Originally Posted by Marika86

Crown Princess Mary arrives at the Ford Foundation building to attend a event about High Level Task Force for ICPD in New York, NY. October 1, 2012

Pic 1 ** Pic 2 ** Pic 3 ** Pic 4 ** Pic 5 ** Pic 6 ** Pic 7 ** Pic 8

Thanks for posting pictures, Marika

Finally, a little more about her days in New York.
If she took part in this meeting yesterday 18:30 pm (Danish time) and it takes about 9 hours to fly home she may just have landed in Denmark. And in about 3 hours she will be ready for the opening of the Parliament - I won't blame her if it is a bit tired and jetlag affected Mary we will see

Kongehuset has uploaded three photos and some information

http://kongehuset.dk/materialemappe/.../hltf1.jpg.img
http://kongehuset.dk/materialemappe/.../hltf3.jpg.img
http://kongehuset.dk/materialemappe/.../hltf2.jpg.img (The 24 members)

Første møde i High Level Task Force for ICPD - Kongehuset