Four years down the track; Is Mary OK now? - Page 2

Sophus · #21 10-02-2006, 07:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MargreteI

.... at set of twin girls

*being modest*

He he...

sesa · #22 10-02-2006, 07:30 PM

I think that there will always be 2 sides when it comes to CP Mary. Those who like and those who don't. And for some reason, I really can't foresee that changing.
The ones that like her whenshe first came on to the seen, LOVE her now and she can do no wrong.
The ones that did not like her when she first came on to the seen, now have an intense dislike for her, and no matter what or how she does something, it will always be wrong.
As for myself, I can't really say that I like or dislike her. As well as with the other CP's. I can not pass judgement on someone that I personally do not know. I go based on thier actions and involvment in causes.
But I think there will always be 2 sides: the likes and dislikes no matter how long she is on the scene.

planetcher · #23 10-02-2006, 10:05 PM

Well, after 4-5(?) years living in Denmark with the best language teachers she still has not mastered Danish according to the Danes from another board who heard her Culture Prize speech weeks ago, and the press surely did not let go of that one. Poor woman, they thought it was bad. Obviously they speak English at home. I think she should make learning the language her top priority now, afterall she's the Crown Princess of Denmark and future Queen.

soCal girl · #24 10-02-2006, 10:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by planetcher

Well, after 4-5(?) years living in Denmark with the best language teachers she still has not mastered Danish according to the Danes from another board who heard her Culture Prize speech weeks ago, and the press surely did not let go of that one. Poor woman, they thought it was bad. Obviously they speak English at home. I think she should make learning the language her top priority now, afterall she's the Crown Princess of Denmark and future Queen.

I don't speak Danish so I will take the word of the Danes. If Mary hasn't mastered Danish or isn't even close then she should definitely work on it. Being Crown Princess means mastering the language of her adopted home. It does take time though. However, I understand that in a relationship it's hard to switch gears and start speaking in a different language than they are used to with each other. I don't think Mary is working with her tutors anymore. I doubt the royal court had a tutor sticking around for more than two years. Does anybody know more about this?

MoonlightRhapsody · #25 10-02-2006, 10:18 PM

Learning a language takes time. Even with language imersion, fluency isn't achieved quickly, especially with a specially difficult language such as Danish. With so many functions she has to carry out, she probably learns when she could. Plus, learning a language gets harder as you get older! She'll be fluent by the time she's queen.

Anyway, I was one of those people who did not like her, along with Letizia, at first. She looked too aloof and too forced. In hindsight, it was probably the shock of being thrust from relative obscurity to the harsh light of public life.

I haven't changed in my dislike of Letizia, but Mary has become one of my favorite royals. She's trying her best to be the best she can for her adopted country. Her actions have been impecable and she hasn't given any reason for people to disapprove of her work. She's a good mom and a good representative for Denmark.

GlitteringTiaras · #26 10-02-2006, 11:11 PM

Hi KelliB, welcome to the board.

Overall, I believe the general opinion and perspective of Crown Princess Mary certainly has changed since her engagement to Crown Prince Frederik. Some negative, some postive.

When I first knew about Mary, I really didn't know what to think. In the beginning she was simply a girlfriend. None of us really knew anything about her and what she could actually accomplish as the Crown Princess of Denmark.

As time has past, my thoughts about her certainly has changed. Mary has done a fine job as Crown Princess. It isn't easy as it looks. Sure she'll fumble here and there, but she is human afterall like the rest of us. The only major difference is that she has a title, a life long duty, rather job, to her country and cannot retire.

She's doing the best she can. That's all we can ask for, right?

lise · #27 10-02-2006, 11:38 PM

As far as I can tell she seems to be doing well. Mary seems to be hard working.

Queen Katherine · #28 10-02-2006, 11:51 PM

I think Mrs Glucksborg is ideal.

oskana · #29 10-03-2006, 01:01 AM

I think Mary has improved considerably. I admit I didnt like her before. I am not ready to love her yet because I still feel theres something fake about her. But over the past few years she has grown on me. She seems to be doing her best so i'll give her credit there.

Katrianna · #30 10-03-2006, 06:21 PM

I don't think Mary has done too bad of a job as a Crown Princess. I've noticed in photos that she has become more confident appearing especially during her visit to the Czech Republic.

sunlesstanning · #31 10-03-2006, 07:33 PM

I wouldn't say CP Mary has done an impecable job. So far she does a pretty good job in her role--she played it safe I think. However I wish to see her bring out her personality to her job. I want to see the person Mary is, the person who Fred fell in love with. Of couse we won't see all of Mary personality. I have a feeling she's a fun loving type, spontaneous person. But most of us have seen is her being polite, following instructions etc.

Lady Bluffton · #32 10-03-2006, 09:27 PM

All I can say is that Mary is doing a much better job than I imagine I would do. Seems like she is settling in well to a life spent in a fish bowl, albeit it a rather plush one.

tenngirl · #33 10-03-2006, 10:09 PM

I think she is doing well. How many other Crown Princesses have gone to other countries on their own, i.e. Prague?

I feel for her, I have to tried to learn Spanish several times and just could not do it. It is hard to pick up a language, some of us do not have the gift for it.

I think Mary has had it rough from the beginning. It seems like people feel more strongly about her than the other Princesses. Who else has more topics about her hair, past, clothes, accent, etc.? I wonder if it is because she is more like us than the other Princesses?

ortino · #34 10-03-2006, 10:37 PM

I think she does a good job what w/ producing an heir, going to all the functions that royals have to attend(art gallery openings, speeches, blah blah blah). She seems to be always in good spirits and happy to be doing them-unlike some other princesses- and is very profesional. However...there is something shady or fake about her, but I can't put my finger on what it is.

tabbitha · #35 10-03-2006, 11:18 PM

I think Mary is doing a wonderful job and living up to what is demanded of her.I really can't fault her- she is almost born into this role- she fits in well and the Danish people love her- what more could they ask for.. I agree that she carries herself well and she is always polite and dresses for the occasion.
I have heard from one friendly dane

on this board she speaks very well and to me her opinion accounts for more than others on another board-

norwegianne · #36 10-04-2006, 02:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tenngirl

I think she is doing well. How many other Crown Princesses have gone to other countries on their own, i.e. Prague?

Mette-Marit went to the US, on her own, and Malawi on her own. Mathilde went to Tanzania and Mali, Maxima visited Brazil, Uganda and Kenya, on their own.

As far as Mary's Danish goes, I've heard her speak once after she got married - a year ago when she came out of the hospital with Christian, when she had to switch between Danish and English, and when you have to switch like that, at rapid speed, not one of the languages are perfect. To get a more updated viewpoint of her language, I went to DR to view the transmission from 24/9, and the awarding of the culture-prize. She should definitely be working on her Danish, in my opinion. There was just something off on how it was flowing, and her pronounciation was way off at times, but I understood what she was saying, so kudos for that. Yes, Danish is difficult to learn, I'm not disputing that, and I admire her for going out there to speak in Danish when most Danes very well would have understood her if she'd spoken English. But to claim that her Danish is perfect, would be taking it too far.

She's gained a lot of confidence over these years, which I think is a great thing. When it comes to like or dislike, I have no problem with how she performs her duties. Obviously, I'd wish she worked on the Danish, to avoid the same sort of problems Henrik has been facing, but as Christian grows up, I think it will also make Mary apply herself a bit more. (Like Alexandra who talks Danish to her sons, so she can be a "Danish" mother like their friends have, while Joachim speaks French with them...)

While liking Mary, I have to admit that I don't see the point in glorifying her to the point of a saint. Few humans can stand up to such expectations. I also can't see the point of pushing other crown princesses down to push Mary forward, or the other way around. They all have their qualities and they do things differently in every country.

It got a bit longer than I intended.

UserDane · #37 10-04-2006, 03:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by norwegianne

While liking Mary, I have to admit that I don't see the point in glorifying her to the point of a saint. Few humans can stand up to such expectations. I also can't see the point of pushing other crown princesses down to push Mary forward, or the other way around. They all have their qualities and they do things differently in every country.

Somehow, I don't get the feeling that the general intention with this thread is to glorify Mary or make her a saint in any way - rather an opportunity for some to state that they have been pleasantly surprised with her development and her way of handling her new tasks. Mary has for some inexplicable reasons (to me at least) evoked some very strong negative feelings in some people; now we're just experiencing that some are reevaluating their opinions - and that's good I think - and fair.
And just for the record: I do like Mary

; I don't glorify her or make her a saint (I suppose some of us should be able to just like Mary without doing that - just as some like MM or Letizia or Maxima without making them saints) - I just defend her when I find that she is being treated unnecessarily harshly. But I agree that there is much to like in other CPss as well - they all have their different strengths I think.

biboquinhas · #38 10-04-2006, 05:49 AM

I really think she ahs changed a lot, although a god change!She is making a big effort to be a really good Princess. It is not easy for a normal person to became a Princess. Of Course she must have very good advisers to help her that is th good thing!

KelliB · #39 10-04-2006, 05:49 AM

My intention in beginning this thread was to see how many of the very negative forum members had changed their minds at all about Mary. I couldn't understand where all the negativity was coming from. Considering she's come from the other side of the planet, both physically and culturally, I think she's doing pretty well. I don't imagine I would have coped as well... and I DID want to be a princess when I grew up!

Sira · #40 10-04-2006, 06:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HRHAmy

I think Mary has deffintely improved from when she was just starting out. I love the Crown Princess, I think she works hard, is a great mother and serves her adopted country well. I could compare her to other princesses but Mary is Mary and with all that she has done so far I think she has fared pretty well. Can you imagine living in a different country, you have to learn the language, follow their customs (and they're even more detailed since you are a crown princess), connect with the people, try to wear something suitable so some people don't pick you apart and say you're a bad princess because "oh my" you wore orange or something. And you have to get in good with the press which no princess has managed to do 100% yet!

I think Mary has done a very good job of adapting to her surroundings and finding a home in Denmark and is every inch of a princess.

HRM Amy I could agree with you more.
Mary has proved to be a great Crown Princess. Thumb up for Mary.