Frederik and Mary's Work Schedule

[NGalitzine]

Originally Posted by fairy tale

CP Haakon did 179 engagements last year.
Kong harald - Kongen knuser Mette-Marit - Seher.no Kongelige
Google Translation
(Hope this is not too off topic.)

179 engagements vs Muhler's 140 working days for Frederik (Not sure how many engagements that could translate into) doesn't seem that big a difference.

[Princess BellyFlop]

179 vs 140. Over 25% more. Just in numbers. Not considering quality.

[Nordic]

Originally Posted by NGalitzine

179 engagements vs Muhler's 140 working days for Frederik (Not sure how many engagements that could translate into) doesn't seem that big a difference.

A few weeks ago I made a quick count, and got about 170 engagements
for Frederik for 2011 and about the same in 2010. It's not an exact number,
because the Court didn't release an official program for all the foreign visits.

[Duke of Marmalade]

I think each country has to decide what is ok for their royals' conduct.

If Danes find that their CP doesnt do enough they will eventually let him know, the latest consequence being that the monarchy isnt needed anymore. But if they dont, where is the problem?

Most royals work in order to stay on the throne, like the Spanish, but the history is very different. What the Danes get away with, wouldnt work in Spain, but then again they only have a King since 1975 (before monarchy didnt work out for the better).

Regarding Frederik, I guess the Danes know and accept his shortcomings but as King he will have to try harder.

Mary actually has a huge workload compared to other CPs, she does a lot of solo acts and I think she works more than some of her peers (MM comes to my mind).

[Muhler]

I doubt this will endanger the monarchy. It's more an annoyance and a point where Frederik in particular is vulnerable.

It's also very much about ignorance. We simply do not know how much work goes on behind the scenes.
With QMII we know she's at the office every day, because we've seen it in documentaries and she is also the Monarch, so it is simply taken for granted that she is working a lot behind the scenes, apart from her public duties.

Mary is all over the place at public events, so very few, if any, accuse her of being laid back. Apart from that she has launched initiatives like the Mary Foundation.

Joachim has his estate to run and we learned recently that he is usually at the office from after breakfast to 17.00. And he is also seen often at public event. Albeit more low key, because he isn't wearing dresses.

Frederik, he's the Crown Prince, number two. Where is he?
Attending a sports match, thus promoting sports in general and encouraging Danish teams in particular. All very well, buut how much preparation is needed for that?
And then classifying boat racing as work? It takes a bit of effort to defend that one.

It is simply not known to the general public that Frederik apparantly now takes part in all state functions with QMII, like audiences, State Councils, briefings. And also that he is now working close with QMII about the daily running and planning of the court.

This is very much a PR issue.
In my opinon Frederik needs to beef up his public image by taking on more public duties. He is the Crown Prince and he needs to be seen by the public. - QMII has reached retirement age, Mary is settled in in her job, and the children are there. So it's time to increase his public profle.
He ought to learn from his wife and launch a more heavy public initiative, like the environment or public health. - Which is pretty safe from a political point of view.
And he needs to let people in on what he is actually doing when not out in the public. (What goes on behind the scenes is always interesting).
If not, he risk being labbled as lazy, which I don't thnink he is, or worse: being uninterested.

The major weakness in the DRF, Frederik in particular, is PR, even though it has improved i recent years. I would so much wish they would get an advisor who has the guts to say: "This sucks! Work on it or change it".

[Nordic]

Originally Posted by Muhler

It's also very much about ignorance. We simply do not know how much work goes on behind the scenes.

It is simply not known to the general public that Frederik apparantly now takes part in all state functions with QMII, like audiences, State Councils, briefings. And also that he is now working close with QMII about the daily running and planning of the court.

This is very much a PR issue.
In my opinon Frederik needs to beef up his public image by taking on more public duties. He is the Crown Prince and he needs to be seen by the public. - QMII has reached retirement age, Mary is settled in in her job, and the children are there. So it's time to increase his public profle.
He ought to learn from his wife and launch a more heavy public initiative, like the environment or public health. - Which is pretty safe from a political point of view.
And he needs to let people in on what he is actually doing when not out in the public. (What goes on behind the scenes is always interesting).
If not, he risk being labbled as lazy, which I don't thnink he is, or worse: being uninterested.

The major weakness in the DRF, Frederik in particular, is PR, even though it has improved i recent years. I would so much wish they would get an advisor who has the guts to say: "This sucks! Work on it or change it".

I agree with the PR issue. Lene Balleby has improved things, but I really wish they would understad that more is needed.

In the documentary a couple of years ago, we could see F&M and the Regent couple attending a briefing about something connected to the military at Amalienborg. Why can't events like that be added to the calendar? And the audiences and State Councils, they are never added to his personal calendar.

The past couple of years Frederik has attended lots of climate related events. Most foreign visits have events that are connected to the climate/clean tech/sustainability etc. Saying he only attends sports events is a bit unfair, IMO.

[AnnaNotherThing]

But have any of you stopped to consider that perhaps Frederik's 'laziness' or 'focus on sports/recreation' has in fact been fully endorsed by QMII? Maybe as one who also was thrust into the role, Margrethe's advice to her son was, have fun while you can, enjoy your family, your wife and children while you can, because one day when I die, your life is never going to be the same again and your focus will be on your country and duties and all else will take a backseat...Maybe Margrethe knows her son better than any of us (yes, imagine that ) and she knows what makes him happy, stressed, uncomfortable, she knows how he operates and his approach to certain issues and tasks...I think we can all be critical of Frederik and his workload, but if internal personnel do not have an issue with it, than neither should we...It will all work out in the end...Margrethe will die, Frederik will accede, and Mary will do all the work behind the scenes

[Tarlita]

Annanotherthing and Muhler both have very valid points. I think it is grossly to unfair to say that Fred is lazy, especially when we do not know what goes on behind the scenes. Fred could very well be up to his armpits in paper work, and other - on the quiet - stuff like for the Anders Lasson awards. Just because we don't see him out and about much does not mean he isn't doing anything.
As for only doing 140 engagements, how do we know he wasn't doing much more behind the scenes. Simple answer - We do not know. I find it a huge waste of time even discussing a subject no one knows anything about.
There I have vented!! Because I needed to. One rant a day is plenty.

[Nordic]

Originally Posted by Tarlita

I think it is grossly to unfair to say that Fred is lazy, especially when we do not know what goes on behind the scenes. Fred could very well be up to his armpits in paper work, and other - on the quiet - stuff like for the Anders Lasson awards. Just because we don't see him out and about much does not mean he isn't doing anything.
As for only doing 140 engagements, how do we know he wasn't doing much more behind the scenes. Simple answer - We do not know. I find it a huge waste of time even discussing a subject no one knows anything about.

Exactly. I don't understand how some people automatically label him as lazy, when we don't know the whole picture. I refuse to believe, that a man who knows he could be King any day, would just waist his life without doing anything. Until someone shows that he doesn't do anything when not in public, I really think it's very unfair to judge him.


"Innocent until..."

[lucien]

Originally Posted by Saphire

I am a little curious and I know that most of you are probably better informed than I am, but I was looking at the calendar for Crown Prince Fred and Mary and they haven't worked much in the last three months. Mary is understandable, but what's up with Fred? I don't understand Danish so please pardon my ignorance if I am mistaken.

• March - 15 days had events (31 day month)
• April - 8 days had events (30 day month)
• May - 5 days had events (31 day month)
• June - 8 days have events (30 day month)
• July - 7 days have events (some are related to Queen Sonja's Birthday), from what I read in a separate post, Fred will only be attending one event. (31 day month)

Apart from scheduled events, sailing, and sailing, what else does he do? Please help me understand. As I said, I don't understand Danish, so I counted the pins on the calendar.

Thanks.

The visible work schedule is always here:

Kongehuset - Forside

and oh my,they do have an english section.....

The unvisible load is probably still way more then most here do in a day to day week,giving the breaks folks take...and....given they haven't got a clue on what's what and how things work at Court...

[Princess BellyFlop]

In the good old days it was «location, location, location». Now it's «perception, perception, perception». Even Frederick should know that.

[lucien]

Originally Posted by Princess BellyFlop

In the good old days it was «location, location, location». Now it's «perception, perception, perception». Even Frederick should know that.

No,not quite.Now it's the craze of the day on boards and forums where each with a pc can throw in their moneys worth....even tho they haven't got a penny to spend...i.e.,know close to nothing...Monarchies nor their members go by the craze of the day,that's for the fluffy and superficial and their deception deception deception......

[grevinnan]

The issue of CP Frederick's reluctance to work has been around since long before anyone had PC's. If it is only a matter of perception then it would be very easy to rectify. The day he will take over the throne from the very beloved Queen we will know for sure what the Danish man and woman on the street really think of him as the next regent. For most Danes the only regent they have known is a woman with a very admirable work ethic and that is what he will be compared to.

[Duke of Marmalade]

I am sure Frederik's work ethic will come under massive scrutiny once he has the top job. It will be the same in all other monarchies, and the media respect the longstanding monarchs could enjoy because of their achievements over the years will be little.

If people, supported by the media, start thinking that he is useless and not doing anything to bring Denmark forward, he will have to justify his existance very soon.

I think for now he is popular the way he is, people know and respect his reluctance/awkwardness/preference for "light" events, plus he is a father of four young children, but the day will come that this status quo wont be enough anymore. Much will depend on Frederik's conduct when the time has come, all eyes will be on him, and he will have to sink or swim.

Times have become rough, who knows if Denmark remains the kind of sleepy little country where people are quite well off, look around what happens in other countries, and sometimes dynamics take off much faster than anyone could ever expect.

[Nordic]

Originally Posted by Duke of Marmalade

I think for now he is popular the way he is, people know and respect his reluctance/awkwardness/preference for "light" events, plus he is a father of four young children, but the day will come that this status quo wont be enough anymore.

What are "light" events?

Much has been commented on Frederik attending mostly sports events. Last year Frederik attended about 6 sports/public health related events in DK. I don't think that sounds like much, or? The same goes for the "he spends most of his time sailing" : Last year he attended two races, for about 6 days total. It looks like Joachim spends more time racing.


Compared to the sporting events, he spent about 30 days heading official/business promotion visits abroad+ the State Visit.

[Duke of Marmalade]

I could have said "folksy events" instead of light. I didnt say that those are all he does, but he seems to have a preference. It might be ok for a CP but not for a monarch.

What I find disappointing that Frederik didnt make more of his Olympic Committee role, there was so much controversy to get him into the organisation but he doesnt seem to make an effort here, at least not visibly. WA or Albert of Monaco are much more present. This role would be one with more gravity than the folksy or light events we see Frederik attend.

Joachim doesnt count since he isnt the heir. Like CP of Sweden, he can car race as much as he wants to, people dont really mind.

[Nordic]

Originally Posted by Duke of Marmalade

I could have said "folksy events" instead of light.

What I find disappointing that Frederik didnt make more of his Olympic Committee role, there was so much controversy to get him into the organisation but he doesnt seem to make an effort here, at least not visibly. WA or Albert of Monaco are much more present. This role would be one with more gravity than the folksy or light events we see Frederik attend.
.

Ok, thanks.

Do you mean more present in Denmark, or what?
Last year Frederik became a member of the Coordination Commission for the 2018 Winter Olympics and he is a member of the "Sports for all" commission. He attended the "SportAccord" convention, the IOC session and the "Sport for all" congress. A couple of weeks ago he visited the Youth winter olympics (not on the calendar).

I can't say anything about what WA or Albert do, but they have been members much longer. (I think).

[Duke of Marmalade]

With "present" I meant basically visibly engaging into this role (or any other), be it in Denmark or outside representing the Danish cause.

[Nordic]

Originally Posted by Duke of Marmalade

With "present" I meant basically visibly engaging into this role (or any other), be it in Denmark or outside representing the Danish cause.

And that's what Frederik has been doing, isn't it:
Several visits promoting Danish business, a State Visit, IOC duties, a visit to
Africa with the Danish Red Cross, a visit to the Japanese disaster regions, regent duties, the "folksy" events etc.

[Naggi]

It is strange to me that people indicate to give Prince Frederik some credit as he is still the Crown Prince and not yet the King. Isn't it the case that because he still is Crown Prince he needs to prove himself that he will be a worthy King one day? No one doubts that Victoria or Hakoon will be great monarchs one day. Why? I would say because they are great number twos at the moment.