Frederik and Mary's Introduction and Courtship

[Archduchess Zelia]

What is this, your fourth thread on the subject?
He was allowed to marry her because he loves her and wanted her to be his wife, simple as that.

[grevinnan]

Originally Posted by Morgan43201

I am sometimes confused as to why a royal would marry outside of nobility?

Why would he not marry outside of nobility. Being of noble birth does not guarantee intelligence, looks, integrity nor any other traits that a crown prince or princess would look for in a spouse. As royal marriages no longer are arranged for financials or political reasons the choice of a marriage partner is more of finding the right life partner, not a convenient political match.

[Lumutqueen]

Originally Posted by Morgan43201

I am sometimes confused as to why a royal would marry outside of nobility?

It's this little thing called love.

[Lady Rosie]

How wonderful it is that Frederik found a lady who he loves and loves him back. After all this time and four children later they appear to have settled into a life that gives them enjoyment and contentment. Good for them.

Frederik must have been very aware that his choice of wife not only needed to be someone he wanted to share his life with but also someone who would be able to fulfil the role of CP and also later as his ( and Denmark's) Queen.

Mary seems to have surpassed all of these expectations. At the end of the day if you have love, your health, a kind heart and a willingness to work hard then the rest takes care of itself. Nobility or not.

Good on them and merry Christmas to you all.

[vkrish]

Originally Posted by Morgan43201

I am sometimes confused as to why a royal would marry outside of nobility?

Because this is 21st century, and you are thinkink exactly 100 years behind..

[Muhler]

Excerpts from article in Billed Bladet #2, 2013.
Man skal have det sjovt og drikke champagne - You've got to have fun and drink champagne.
Written by John Lautrup.

The royal reporter Anna Johannesen is retiering after 43 years and she is being interviewed and talking about various episodes from her career. Most notably when Billed Bladet were the first to reveal that Mary and Frederik were dating.

- "As early as in the spring my sources had told me that there probably was something about a new girl. During the summer when then found out that Frederik was often in Australia and then it was just a matter of putting two and two together. And then I was send along.
I knew some Danes in Australia, who knew some other Danes who had been to a party with Frederik and Mary. I had lunch with them on Sunday as I had touched down in Sydney on Saturday and they could confirm the story and tell that the girl's last name was Donaldson. At that time I only knew her first name.
The next morning I took up position in front of the real estate office, Bell Property, where she worked and it became a darned long day, because she only came out at 18.00.
It turned out that the office had two entrances. I had a small unclear picture of her from a university yearbook, but I was in no doubt when she finally came out on the street. Without looking I ran across the street while the cars honked and introduced myself.
But in the same moment I said - Danmark -, she said - no comments -and vanished down the parking cellar of the building. I got hold of her mobile number and when I called her she kindly said that she understood my job but that she still had no comments".

Anna Johannesen sums up later on in the interview: "She's a huge asset for the DRF. She's fantastically sweet and gifted and she knows just what being a princess is all about. Frederik kan have his days, but she has had an incredibly positive influence on him".

Anna Johannsen was allocated Frederik, for her to cover and the article says:
When Anna Johannesen back then was allocated the Crown Prince, Frederik involuntarily aquired the company of a news-hound it was impossible to shake off. He has had to realise that many times. Not always to his undivided enthusiasm, but he has had to bow down to her deep professionalism and sense of fair play/treating her victimes with fairness. Frederik has with guarantee considered her a pain in the behind from time to time but he has never had reason to question her integrity.

She is apparantly good at rhyming, so at Frederik's first solo visit to Thailand, she had composed the lyrics to a well known children's song, which the press corps sang to a somewhat baffled Frederik after a press conference.

[camelot23ca]

Thanks, Muhler.
It must be a strange relationship between members of the press like Anna Johannesen and the royal family. They're in such close contact, usually over a period of years that I imagine it's a knowledgeable and even intimate relationship on both ends, but then there's the inevitable tension and and the fact that the two camps must often have very different ideas about what they want to get out of their encounters with each other.

[Muhler]

Indeed. Especially if you, like Frederik, is uncomfortable about being in the limelight and also that he had problems coming to terms with his future life.
He must often have felt like shouting: "Get lost"!

However, that's where the difference between a serious reporter and a gossip column writer comes in. If you treat you victims with respect and build up a mutual trust, then you end up getting the exclusives and in some cases a relationship bordering on friendship is established. Prince Henrik has such a relationship with at least one such reporter. He knows and asks to her family and in return he tells her more than he would perhaps otherwise have had.
Such reporters may sometimes omit writing a juicy article, but that pays off in the long run.

Anna Johannesen points it out in the interview: "Sometimes I have thought, good heavens, that sure is private. But I apparantly have an inbred abillity to make people open up. Perhaps because I'm good at listening. Perhaps because I ask very directly. You have to take action and not being too meek.....".

About getting favors in return. Some of you may remember when M&F visited Australia some years back. They requested Anne Johannesen, who covered the visit, to leave them alone while visiting a zoo. The Australian press however followed them and that's where we got the pics of Christian stealing the show along with the animals.
- I was later told that it had bothered her (Mary) that we had been cheated of these pictures. So she personally ensured that we were allowed to bring the Australian pictures with exclusive right for Denmark. That was really sweet of her". (*)

(*) Of course the cynic might argue that it was a wise move by Mary. Because there was indeed critisism later on of M&F having snubbed the Danish press, but M&F couldn't have known about that in advance. And the BB editor-in-chief came out in defence of M&F. - Mutual co-operation based on mutual respect.

This is what the editor wrote in the editorial:

Annemette Krakau: Sandheden om Marys ”skideballe” – Annemette Krakau: The truth about Mary's ”dressing down”.


03 september 2008 | Annemette Krakau

The headlines have thundered about Mary’s rage towards the press – Read the complete and true story here.

Last week the headlines thundered about how an angry Crown Princess Mary had shown the Danish press the door in Tasmania in connection with the CP couple’s visit in an animal/wildlife park. And Mary were called both “furious”, “snobbish” and a lot more from the bag of words that triggers frowns in the forehead and lots of letters to the editor.

The true story from Tasmania is very different.

The truth is that Mary is both professional and cooperative and that the tone/mood between her and us is really good. When the CP couple and their children were to visit the animal park the journalist and photographer from Billed Bladet lined up outside the gate. When Mary passed we asked whether we could take some pictures inside the park. And Mary answered quite calmly that she dealy wished for a private moment with her Australian family and she asked whether we would please respect that. Which we did. The message was only delivered in Danish, because we were the only ones who asked for permission. The foreign press was already inside the park and were photographing away. In order to get the situation calmed down/less hectic the CP couple agreed – under heavy pressure – to line up for some pictures.

After the visit the journalist and photographer from Billed Bladet were of course annoyed about missing a good shot inside the park, but we had kept our agreement/promise, which Mary knew. She went into action and arranged for her private pictures from the visit to be at disposal for Billed Bladet (these pictures are published in Billed Bladet this week) and a team of Danish colleagues.

Mary could have been indifferent. She could have shrugged her shoulders and acted “furious” or “snobbish”, as it was written that she did. But the future queen of Denmark was everything but that. We are fond of having Mary’s pictures, but we are even fonder of the truth.

Yours sincerely
Annemette Krakau, editor in chief.

[polyesco]

Originally Posted by Muhler

- "As early as in the spring my sources had told me that there probably was something about a new girl. During the summer when then found out that Frederik was often in Australia and then it was just a matter of putting two and two together. And then I was send along.
I knew some Danes in Australia, who knew some other Danes who had been to a party with Frederik and Mary. I had lunch with them on Sunday as I had touched down in Sydney on Saturday and they could confirm the story and tell that the girl's last name was Donaldson. At that time I only knew her first name.
The next morning I took up position in front of the real estate office, Bell Property, where she worked and it became a darned long day, because she only came out at 18.00.
It turned out that the office had two entrances. I had a small unclear picture of her from a university yearbook, but I was in no doubt when she finally came out on the street. Without looking I ran across the street while the cars honked and introduced myself.
But in the same moment I said - Danmark -, she said - no comments -and vanished down the parking cellar of the building. I got hold of her mobile number and when I called her she kindly said that she understood my job but that she still had no comments".

Anna Johannesen sums up later on in the interview: "She's a huge asset for the DRF. She's fantastically sweet and gifted and she knows just what being a princess is all about. Frederik kan have his days, but she has had an incredibly positive influence on him".
.

this is very interesting thank you Muhler
I dont know how I would have reacted if someone like this got my phone # but good for Mary.

Its also nice to see how the press can see Mary as a positive influence in Frederik, no doubt a change for the better.

[Tarlita]

I remember at the zoo in Tassie some of the Australian press interviewed Anna Johannesen ( just a short clip)and she came across as very nice and dedicated to her work. One said that Annas office at BB was like a shrine to Frederik, as she had followed his life from very early on. Mange Tak for the info Muhler and others.

[Lady Rosie]

That is sad that Anna is retiring. I really enjoy her stories in BB (via Muhler's translations).

Anna must have had a very unique position from which to commentate. And to do it fairly as a journalist not a gossip column speaks volumes about her as a person. I am sure the DRF respect her for this.

Hopefully she has a healthy and enjoyable retirement.

[carlota]

i found this article from 2002, before the engagement, where they mention that mary had moved to the UK, to oxford where his father lived, to be closer to frederik. they mention how mary was an expert on "not being found by the journalists"

Mary has proven to be an excellent student in the course of dismissal: change airline tickets at the last minute not to leave proofs, used hats, wigs and all sorts of disguises to move between the crowd hiding her true face. The lawyer also covers perfectly behind when making the slightest movement. Not a misstep, or a revelation to whom does not really deserve it.

MARY DONALDSON DEJA AUSTRALIA Y SE INSTALA DEFINITIVAMENTE EN EL VIEJO CONTINENTE

[Sun Lion]

Here are a few of the photos I took when a ship I was on, berthed alongside CP Mary's old apartment in the Langelinie area of Copenhagen.

[Muhler]

Thanks, Sun Lion.

Please share your experience with us.

[Sun Lion]

Originally Posted by Muhler

Please share your experience with us.

Well Muhler, yes, I have now been to Copenhagen and even to Skagen.

And I've sailed under the landmark bridge between Denmark and Sweden.

And past the "Hamlet" castle of Kronborg at Helsingor, which is not a usual thing, as although the Baltic Sea is non-tidal, certain other things, (sorry, I can't remember exactly what), have to be a certain way for cruise ships to be able to navigate the channel in that area.

I can't say I've seen a lot of your country, but I can say I saw a lot in the few days I sailed around it and was on it.

And the funny thing is, eveywhere I went, there was something about CP Mary and her life, wherever I went.

For example, of the many options on offer, my husband and I took the "Free Time in Three Locations" and that was basically a bus from the ship to three different parts of Copenhagen where we were let loose on our own.

We just needed to not get lost, and get back to the bus to be taken to the next area - quite thrilling to be in a foreign city, without a map, and under pressure to literally not miss the bus.

So because I've taken an interest in my fellow Tasmanian M, I realised our ship was berthed right alongside the apartment block where she once lived.

And the first stop of the day was the Cathedral where F and M wed. The bus used the parking area at the side for our pickup.

We whizzed in and had a good look - and so already a second CP Mary location to photograph.

We raced off from here through the narrow streets to the Radhus - familiar from the many Danish TV shows we've watched over the last few years here in Oz on the SBS channel.

Then we pressed onto to the Tivoli Gardens, but were too early, it hadn't opened yet.

We got as far as the Glyptotek and then had to turn around to get back to the bus.

The next stop was where we climbed the tower of the Christiansborg Slot - I've posted some photos I took, in the thread about that building - and again the bus parked near the church where the twins were christened - so we went in for a look and some photos.

Then the bus took us to Amalienborg, and we were told that because the flag was flying, that F and M were actually there, at home. But no-one came to the window.

A professional camera crew were filming in front of their building, and we saw the changing of the guards.

I took more photos - there were some nice gladioli in the sunlight in one of the rooms.

We went off from here to see Nyhavn and managed to find our way back.

Then we went to the large domed church, the Marble Church, near the palace complex, and then down to the fountain and harbour-side where the bus was parked at the back of the palaces.

We finished with a side trip to the Little Mermaid.

I took so many photos - even of the palace back door which is just on the street.

I'll try and post some photos and write a bit about my day in Skagen soon.

They are trying very hard to accommodate the cruise industry in Skagen, and are building a big port - and are very keen as it will help to provide employment in the area, and so their youth will not all have to leave.

(And of course, the Crown Prince Couple sometimes holiday there.)

[Muhler]

Thanks, Sun Lion.

I hope you enjoyed your stay and took the opportunity while in Skagen to stand with a leg in two different oceans at the same time. (The Baltic is less salty than the North Sea so they are litterally different).

[Tarlita]

Thanks Sun Lion for sharing that with us. It is a pity you had time constraints. But at any rate sounds like you managed quite a lot considering the time.

[Nordic]

Originally Posted by carlota

i found this article from 2002, before the engagement, where they mention that mary had moved to the UK, to oxford where his father lived, to be closer to frederik

Mary moved to the UK, to Oxford??

IIRC, she moved to Paris beginning of 2012, worked there for about 6 months, spent weekends in Denmark. When she met Queen M spring 2012, got "the green light", it was decided that she would move to Denmark, which she did autumn 2012.

[ricarda]

Well, it's an article from 2002 (and a Spanish one).
It gives an impression of one journalist's (non-)knowledge or opinion at that time. Nothing more, nothing less.
Today we know that Mary moved to Paris and not to the UK.

[Sun Lion]

Originally Posted by Tarlita

Thanks Sun Lion for sharing that with us. It is a pity you had time constraints. But at any rate sounds like you managed quite a lot considering the time.

Yes Tarlita, major time constraints as there is so, so much to see, but everything is quite close to everything else considering it is a capital city.

Even though we didn't have time to go into everything, there were a lot of buildings and areas that I recognised from various CP Mary photos over the years.

When everyone first got off the bus it was suprising no-one was run down by the peak hour bicycle frenzy.

A lot of us were old and slow with sticks, and even mobility scooters and children's pushers, (some young families cruising too), and the roads in several places where disrupted by machinery digging for the transport system.

We must have given a scare to the young and in a hurry Danish locals too - what a melee - we couldn't wait to get around the corner into a quieter street.