Mary and Frederik's Circle of Friends (Danish and Australian)

[Jemima]

Amber is a very loyal friend to Mary. And she has been for a very long time.

[Terri Terri]

I would assume Mary would not want to upset Amber. While there would not be a market for our own confidences there will be lots of interested journalists if Amber would start to talk.

I think Amber would stand to lose a lot more if she ever talked about Mary and divulge her secrets to the media. She will loose their friends in Australia. Being Mary's bridesmaid has opened some doors to her that would otherwise have been closed. She is still important enough that Mary flew back to Australia to attend her 40th birthday celebrations...and Amber was invited to Frederik's 40th birthday party and to the christenings of Mary's children. So Mary's friendship is of great value to Amber and I don't imagine she would want to loose it.
I don't think that there is any reason to worry...in over 10 years, Amber has never revealed any confidences and she has been a true and loyal friend.

[Viv]

Originally Posted by grevinnan

Most women I know tend to discuss things with their/our best girlfriends that we would never want anyone else to know. So I would imagine Amber has lots of information about Mary that she would not want to be made official. Chit chats about Mary and Frederik among other topics. I would assume Mary would not want to upset Amber. While there would not be a market for our own confidences there will be lots of interested journalists if Amber would start to talk.

That's a good point! I suppose that Mary and Amber Petty were clubbing together before Sydney 2000 ???
And about Amber Petty not being a god parent: IMO her affair with a rocker-type, who was even married, did not do her any favours!

Viv

[missMaryanne]

Originally Posted by Madame Royale

I disagree. Whether employed or not, both these ladies, particularly Caroline I'd endeavour to suggest, seem quite close. So much so their families have vacationed together in Switzerland on more than one occasion I believe. Mary and Frederik have also attended various dinner parties hosted by Caroline and her husband.

Because they work for the Crown Princely couple cannot then suggest that their relationship is strictly professional. All 'signs' indicate that their relationship goes beyond a working environment, and quite often at that.

totally agree.

are you gonna choose an employee to be your kid's godmother if she's not close to you?

[Sternchen]

Originally Posted by AnnaNotherThing

I think the omission of Amber Petty as a godparent of one of the twins was very telling...I think Amber has always been vocal about her friendship with Mary and this has obviously (now) been to her detriment...All the Australian friends of Mary who have been made godparents of her children Hamish Campbell (Christian), Nadine Johnston (Isabella) and lately Josephine Rechner (Josephine) have all kept quiet and discrete...So Amber was off to a good start with the bridesmaid gig, but I think she is beginning her downward spin into obscurity...If the family circumstances of the list of godparents testify, they all compromise of people in stable, long term relationships and some even include children...And Amber at 40 years old is still unmarried and childless and maybe that is not example of good godparent material...

And totally off topic...but what was Amber thinking wearing that frumpy floral number? All the women (Mary included) seemed to be going for a tailored, fitted, above the knee look that worked well for that kind of event...Outfits like the ones Helle Reedtz-Thott, Caroline Heering, Josephine Rechner, Caroline Fleming, Patricia Bailey, etc were wearing...they all looked sophisticated and polished and Amber stuck out like a sore thumb in her floral, longish, flowy, 'vintage' (who cares) frumpy dress...Harsh I know but didn't someone think to advise her?, couldn't Mary have loaned her a dress too, like she did her sister?...Anyway, I wonder if Mary has outgrown Amber is finding more in common with her friends with children and families, like Josephine Rechner...someone they can talk about poo and spew with

Weren't you also the one who was sooooo sure that Peter Warnoe will be a godfather?

[King of the Jungle]

Not all people opt to accept an invitation to become a Godparent.
It can be seen as a sincere Christian role.
Not every one sees themselves as comfortable, regular believers and examples of the Christian faith.

One can be a fantastic Aunt, Grandparent or best friend and very important in the life of a friend's child without being Godparent material.
If one is not confident in being a Godmother then it might be seen as hypercritical to accept the role to be one.

We have no idea how many people were asked or declined to be a Godparent.

[AnnaNotherThing]

Originally Posted by Sternchen

Weren't you also the one who was sooooo sure that Peter Warnoe will be a godfather?

Maybe I was...but he didn't look so happy upon his entry to the church (wish I could find the photo)...So maybe he is really rather cut up about his exclusion...no more free holidays to Verbier for you, humph!

Found it: http://msndk.starlounge.com/index.cf...enr=22&page=22

What a grump! :)

[Jemima]

Originally Posted by AnnaNotherThing

Maybe I was...but he didn't look so happy upon his entry to the church (wish I could find the photo)...So maybe he is really rather cut up about his exclusion...no more free holidays to Verbier for you, humph!

Found it: Barnedåb: Se alle kjolerne - Billede 22 | Starlounge

What a grump! :)

Maybe he just doesn't appreciate the media photogs taking his picture.
Anyways, I don't think he looks all that grumpy!

[missMaryanne]

Originally Posted by King of the Jungle

Not all people opt to accept an invitation to become a Godparent.
It can be seen as a sincere Christian role.
Not every one sees themselves as comfortable, regular believers and examples of the Christian faith.

One can be a fantastic Aunt, Grandparent or best friend and very important in the life of a friend's child without being Godparent material.
If one is not confident in being a Godmother then it might be seen as hypercritical to accept the role to be one.


We have no idea how many people were asked or declined to be a Godparent.

i think that maybe amber and mary talk about it, and they both agree that amber won't be a godmother. maybe she wasn't comfortable with that role...at least she was mary's maid of honor.

[Muhler]

Via BT I came across this little piece written by Amber Petty: Petty: Charles spells trouble for royals | Adelaide Now

In short she says that she would like to keep QEII but once the PoW Charles is due, then it's time to sever the bonds between Australia and the BRF.

I wonder if Mary shared the same view when she was still a commoner. It's my impression that she did. I recall her saying in one of the documentaries that she of course had an opinion about that and as I heard it, she was back then in favour of Australia turning republic.
Perhaps some of you remember that? And perhaps even able to find that clip?

Personally I don't see a conflict in the commoner Mary being in favour of Australia becoming a republic and herself later becoming a royal in another country.
You simply cannot compare Australia and Denmark in that respect.

[American Dane]

Originally Posted by Muhler

Via BT I came across this little peice written by Amber Petty: Petty: Charles spells trouble for royals | Adelaide Now

In short she says that she would like to keep QEII but once the PoW Charles is due, then it's time to sever the bonds between Australia and the BRF.

I wonder if Mary shared the same view when she was still a commoner. It's my impression that she did. I recall her saying in one of the documentaries that she of course had an opinion about that and as I heard it she was back then in favour of Australia turning republic.
Perhaps some of you remember that? And perhaps even able to find that clip?

Personally I don't see a conflict in the commonor Mary being in favour of Australia becoming a republic and herself later becoming a royal in another country.
You simply cannot compare Australia and Denmark in that respect.

Hi Muhler!

You've touched upon something I've thought about for a while. What were Mary's, Kate's, Letizia's, etc. thoughts on their respective monarchies (in Mary's case: Australia) before they became princesses or involved with their princes? Perhaps other members would like to enlighten me on that.

N.B. I've watched the documentary several times but for some reason I can't remember the part where she speaks about the referendum or her opinion about it. I do remember, however, a story told by a friend of Mary's mother or someone like that who recounted a story about Mary meeting a British royal (the Queen or Charles, I can't remember which) when she was a small child, and from then on her mother called her "her little princess".

[Muhler]

Originally Posted by American Dane

Hi Muhler!

N.B. I've watched the documentary several times but for some reason I can't remember the part where she speaks about the referendum or her opinion about it.

Hi, American Dane,

I can't remember which documentary it was. - There have been quite a few by now.
I can actually still see her. She expressed herself very diplomatically but I can't remember the exact wording or whether it was in Danish or English.

[American Dane]

Originally Posted by Muhler

Hi, American Dane,

I can't remember which documentary it was. - There have been quite a few by now.
I can actually still see her. She expressed herself very diplomatically but I can't remember the exact wording or whether it was in Danish or English.

True, I'm perhaps mixing up documentaries as well. It's probably just in the back of my mind somewhere I wonder, though, if her opinion on monarchy in Australia has stayed the same. I mean her view of what monarchy actually is and does must have changed since Frederik even if it is two completely distinct countries.

In terms of the Amber Petty article you so kindly posted I disagree with this paragraph: "How much have we grown? And do we really need to feel that because our history and culture doesn't date back as far as some other parts of the world, that we haven't evolved and developed sufficiently to be regarded as a sovereign nation in our own right?"

Who doesn't consider Australia a sovereign nation in its own right, nor Canada, and so on? British policies and the like have not been enforced since 1901 and Australia is now a Commonwealth (which denotes independence), no longer a dominion.

Anyway, that's just my opinion and all that really matters is that Mary represents Denmark and the DRF the best she can, which she certainly does!

[NGalitzine]

I remember them being asked about an Australian republic during their last official visit to Australia. Frederik was the one who answered the question basically saying it was a question for the Australians to answer and not one they would deal with.

[Muhler]

Originally Posted by American Dane

True, I'm perhaps mixing up documentaries as well. It's probably just in the back of my mind somewhere I wonder, though, if her opinion on monarchy in Australia has stayed the same. I mean her view of what monarchy actually is and does must have changed since Frederik even if it is two completely distinct countries.

Probably. It certainly did for Frederik.
As he has grown older, he has learned to understand and appreciate things like the New Year Courts:
From the portrait book: Frederik, Crown Prince of Denmark, pages 338-339:
- "In the eyes of some, it's stiff (too formal) that you wear gala uniforms and wear the highest orders of Denmark. When I was young I was a little sceptical myself and had a bit of this - screw the traditions (*) (attitude). But then one gets older and starts to reflect about things. Today I leave the courts in a light hearted/festive mood".

Originally Posted by American Dane

In terms of the Amber Petty article you so kindly posted I disagree with this paragraph: "How much have we grown? And do we really need to feel that because our history and culture doesn't date back as far as some other parts of the world, that we haven't evolved and developed sufficiently to be regarded as a sovereign nation in our own right?"

Who doesn't consider Australia a sovereign nation in its own right, nor Canada, and so on? British policies and the like have not been enforced since 1901 and Australia is now a Commonwealth (which denotes independence), no longer a dominion.

You are right. I believe I have mentioned before that here from DK Australia, New Zealand and Canada are usually percieved as not adhering to a monarchy but instead they are put in the same catagory as republics, simply because they don't have resident royals.

Originally Posted by American Dane

Anyway, that's just my opinion and all that really matters is that Mary represents Denmark and the DRF the best she can, which she certainly does!

Agree wholeheartedly.

(*) From a novel by Leif Panduro, where he skewerd the middle class in particular and pointed out the folly of keeping up a facade.

[Muhler]

Summary of article in Billed Bladet #52, 2012.
Jeg vil være gravid nu - I want to become pregnant now.
Written by Ulrik Ulriksen.

Amber Petty, 42, is in a state of panic. Time has passed and she has no husband and no child. The biological clock is ticking and she has decided to have a child, preferably yesterday.
Now, what to do if you are not in a relationship? You get a sperm donor. In this case one of her exes, whom she still has a good relationship with. So far without any luck.

- This is not the first time I've read about Amber Petty being broody. Perhaps our Australian friends can tell us if there is more to this story?

[Lady Rosie]

I just did a google search and here is a link to Amber talking about having a baby with her ex:
Petty: Hatching a cunning plan to have a baby | adelaidenow

amberpetty.com.au has previous articles she has written on similar topics.

Personally I don't know what to think of it all so I won't comment. Just gave the links in case some were interested.

[Muhler]

I guess this is the most appropriate place to place this: Kronprinsesse Marys ridelærer brutalt overfaldet med hammer: De var ude efter mig - Krimi | www.bt.dk

I'll leave it to the mods to decide how relevant this serious story really is and whether it should remain here. I thought I would post it before other headlines may turn up.

It's about an assault with a hammer on a Hans Helmgaard Kristiansen. He is now committed to a hospital and the police is investigating the case as aggrivated assault. I.e. very serious premeditated violence with the clear intent of seriously harming someone.
He himself describes it as an attempt on his life and he believe it is payback for him telling about drug deals in the jet set. A drug factory in connection with the jet set was uncovered in 2011.

When Mary first came to DK, his then wife was a friend of Mary Donaldson, and as such he became her riding introctor and remained so for some years. (I believe it was Louise Rich, because her mother is a friend of QMII).
However, Hans Helmgaard Kristiansen apart from being a very competent riding instructor, is also a very controversial figure.
He has admitted to cruelty towards horses, in an attempt to make them jump higher over obstacles.
He has been quaranteed for altogether five years since the 1990's by the Danish Riding Association, for swindling with the ID papers of horses.
He is currently charged by the police in cases involving fraud with expensive cars and horse trailers. (There was a major razzia some time ago I remember).

All in all he is a questionable character, who is no longer Mary's riding instructor. I can imagine the court as well as PET has red-flagged him years ago and I cannot imagine Mary now has anything to do with him, especially as he is long divorced from the wife Mary knew.

[Hannelore]

Has someone read this week's Billedbladet? What is said about Helle?

BILLED-BLADET nr. 45 - 2013 smugkig

[Muhler]

Indeed.

Summary of article in Billed Bladet #45, 2013.
Kærligheden førte til Gavnø - The road of love led to Gavnø.
Written by Henrik Salling.

It's basically a portrait of Helle Reedtz-Thott and her and her family's life at Gavnø Slot. (for location, see here: https://app.box.com/s/6dkvmx8abxohunxa0yfn). File is updated to S.
The Reedtz-Thott family has been living there since 1737.

Gavnø Slot (manor in this context) dates from at least 1231. The current main building is from 1402.
Helle met her husband Baron Otto Reedtz Thott seventeen years ago. Back then she was a lawyer specialising in commerce.

Keeping an eye on an estate like this is a full time job, including weekends, so when they relax they go away from the manor.

The living area of the manor is 4.000 square meters. (IRRC the living space at the mansion M&F live in at Amalienborg is around 2.500 Square meters). The grounds of the manor is around 2.500 hectares.
For the first three years Helle lived in Copenhagen and only went to Gavnø during weekends. But since then children have entered the picture and she has plenty to do keeping an eye on the estate and a foundation, just to mention two of her jobs in that connection.
A considerable part of the estate is open to the public and the proceeds barely cover the expences for maintanaince. - In short: It's not a goldmine.
Next year Otto Reedtz-Thott will turn 60 and Helle will turn 40. But there are no difinite plans in regards to celebrations yet.

They consider it a duty, but in regards to the family tradition as well as preserving a piece of national heritance to hand over the estate in the best possible condition to their children, but it will be expensive due to the rules regarding taxation here in DK.

- In short: Not much personal stuff but more a general picture of the estate an how it's being handled.

---------------------------

BB this week also has a short article about the Christmas events at Egeskov Slot, which in contrast to Gavnø is a castle complete with a moat.
Here the Ahlefeldts reside. Count and Countess Michael and Caroline Ahlefeldt.