Prince Frederik & Princess Mary's Official Visit to Australia: Feb. 27-March 11, 2005 - Page 12

Mandy · #**221** 03-05-2005, 12:10 AM

Thanks pdas for the really great photos. I think the brightly coloured dress was a good choice on Mary's part for a visit to a children's hospital.

sara1981 · #**222** 03-05-2005, 12:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pdas1201

Mary follows in Diana's footsteps

March 4, 2005 - 10:45PM

Denmark's Crown Princess Mary has followed in the footsteps of Diana Princess of Wales, promoting the work of murdered heart surgeon Victor Chang.

The 33-year-old Australian-born princess spent Friday touring the Victor Chang Cardiac Research Institute's laboratories in Sydney's east, officially opened by Diana in 1996.

And more than 550 guests looked on in awe as Princess Mary danced the first waltz with former NSW premier Neville Wran at the institute's ball in Sydney, just as Diana did on her final Australian tour.

Princess Mary, looking stunning in a full-length black V-neck gown with diamonte detail, diamond drop earrings and her hair swept up in a roll, smiled as she danced with Mr Wran in the grand ballroom of the Sofitel Wentworth Hotel to the song Moon River.

The cause is close to Princess Mary's heart, after she lost her mother Henrietta to heart disease in 1997, the same year Diana was killed in a Paris car crash.

Addressing the crowd, Princess Mary said it was an honour and a pleasure to support the work of Victor Chang.

"My family knows all too well the impact of losing someone to heart disease and I feel very privileged to be in a position today where I can lend my support and help to bring attention to a cause that is so very close to my heart," she said.
"The Victor Chang institute needs your support to continue and expand their potential life-changing work that may one day impact not only you and me but our children and generations to come."

Prince Frederik was attending a gala dinner for the Farr-40 world sailing championships and did not accompany his wife to the ball.

Earlier, the Royal Australian Navy gave the princess a guard of honour as she walked the red carpet, accepting flowers and a hand-written letter from fans.

Mr Wran introduced her to Ann, Vanessa, Matthew and Marcus Chang before accompanying her into the ballroom.

Princess Mary's sister, Jane Stephens, Kerri-Anne Kennerley and Ros Packer were among the high-profile guests at the black-tie function.

The A-list event was held in the same ballroom where Diana and Prince Charles danced their way on to the front pages of newspapers around the world in 1988.

Princess Mary - who now makes a habit of mingling with locals before private engagements - was given two packets of fruit tingles and flowers as she arrived at her first official engagement today.

Bryce, Rory, Luca, Tom, Quinn, Rhys and Mathew, all aged four, said they heard the princess enjoyed fruit tingles and gave them to her as she arrived at the Victor Chang institute in Darlinghurst.

Princess Mary, wearing a sleeveless white wrap top with grey stripes, cream pants and cream stilettos, shook their hands and thanked the children, who were from the St Vincent's Hospital Childcare Centre.

Fourteen-year-old Sasha Steinhoff, from Darling Point, also met the princess, giving her a handmade card and pink flowers.

"I think you and Frederik are the fairytale couple and I watched your wedding seven times and cried on at least two of those times because it was one of the most beautiful weddings I've ever seen," the card read.

"You do Australia proud and I admire your charm and grace and the way you have conducted yourself in your new role."

Ms Steinhoff said she wanted to meet the princess after seeing her earlier in the week at the Cruising Yacht Club in Rushcutters Bay, and at the Westin Hotel for the Red Cross 90th anniversary Gala dinner.

Princess Mary toured the laboratories with institute chairman Mr Wran, executive director Bob Graham, and board member Anne Keating.

that nice to honour!

im wishes late Princess Diana was alive anytime!

Sara Boyce

Quote:

Originally Posted by pdas1201

Several more pics of Mary's arrival at the Victor Chiang Cardiac Royal Ball

she looks lovely! i read posts said its looks like as Catherine-Zeta Jones's evening dresses if have pictures or not?

if have follow footsteps of late Diana,Princess of Wales? when Mary attend there? to remind!

Sara Boyce

Danielle · #**223** 03-05-2005, 01:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sara1981

she looks lovely! i read posts said its looks like as Catherine-Zeta Jones's evening dresses if have pictures or not?

if have follow footsteps of late Diana,Princess of Wales? when Mary attend there? to remind!

Sara Boyce

Which one of Catherine's dresses? What event did she wear it to?

sara1981 · #**224** 03-05-2005, 01:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Danielle

Which one of Catherine's dresses? What event did she wear it to?

im not sure! i read posts said that!

Sara Boyce

defalco · #**225** 03-05-2005, 03:53 AM

She looked so lovely as she read to those children! I think it's especially heart warming to see her share the photos in the book with the children as well. Truly a sign that she enjoyed the children and her time there. I can't wait for her to be a mother. I think there will be many beautiful photos of her with her own children that will warm our hearts!

Warren · #**226** 03-05-2005, 04:14 AM

CROWN PRINCESS MARY at the Victor Chang Cardiac Research Institute Sydney, Australia, Friday 4 March

Victoria Street Darlinghurst is home territory for Mary as, in another life, she worked just down the road.

Got there early enough to secure a good possie, surrounded by reporters and cameramen (no women) speaking to each other in English and Danish. Or disconcertingly talking into their lapels, constantly, discussing yesterday's events, best positions for today, and what is happening tonight ("what time do you think she will take to the dance floor?"). The word "gorgeous" bandied about. It's hot and humid. Chatting to two Danish guys here for the Gay Mardi Gras, thrilled that their Crown Princess has been such a big hit here in Sydney.

A line of cute little toddlers, flowers in hand, awaiting the arrival. Dignitaries taking up position, police and security on alert. The motorcade draws up, the car door opens, a flurry of clapping, cheering, shouting, cameras whirring and flashing.

Mary ever so elegant in a whitish blouse (very chic), and beige-ish pants. So thin. Elegant, poised, controlled, she greets the hosts, then moves across to the cute kiddies, bends/kneels down, takes their flowers, chats to them, moves on, ever controlled and poised. Shakes some hands in the crowd, exchanges a few words (the Danish media will just love this), sun shining in her hair.

Her Lady in Waiting, Countess Bernstorff-G, just a step behind, ever so elegant.

Photographers shouting out in English and Danish, click, click, click, "Mary! Mary! Mary!" The media liaison lady in the Danish party moving TV cameramen out of the way so that the press photographers get a clear view. Mary, right in front, facing the photographers behind and around me. Giving them their shots. "Thank you Mary!" they shout. She's gorgeous! Ever so controlled, every movement deliberate, nothing is rushed.

A last flurry of activity around her as she glides through the doors, and she is gone.

The scrutiny and pressure must be intense: every pair of eyes focused on her, motorised cameras whirring, clicking, flashing, cameramen shouting, crowd clapping and cheering. Surreal. Intimidating. And this was just small scale. Just shows, our Mary has the right stuff! Turned to the two Danish guys and just said "she's gorgeous", they replied together, beaming, "gorgeous!"
.

Guess Who · #**227** 03-05-2005, 04:49 AM

Loved Mary's black dress & the ruffled skirt with pink top, thought they were just beautiful. Im glad at the last visit while reading th ebook to the children she wore some color,throughout her visit she has been in white, which suits her but then got a bit boring.
Her make up, hair and jewlery were all great.

Lyonnaise · #**228** 03-05-2005, 05:28 AM

Polfoto 05-03-2005 Crown Princess Mary of Denmark, center, arrives at the Cancer Research Foundation at the Westmead Hospital Saturday, March 5, 2005 in Sydney, Australia. (AP Photo/Patrick Riviere, Pool)

Lyonnaise · #**229** 03-05-2005, 05:33 AM

more photos from Polfoto

carlota · #**230** 03-05-2005, 06:41 AM

i think mary's choice of outfit was absolutely dismatched. that psicodelic dress combined with brown shoes and a beige coat...
it didn't suit her at all.

pdas1201 · #**231** 03-05-2005, 06:55 AM

Thanks, Lyonnaise, for the wonderful photos. Mary clearly looks happy with the children and the children just love her. I, especially loved the pics where she is reading to them. Also, the bear and the card she received were sooo cute. Go Mary Go!!!
Here are more pics, Enjoy:)

pdas1201 · #**232** 03-05-2005, 07:13 AM

March 6, 2005: Prince Frederik and Princess Mary at the charity dinner for 100 couples to raise money for the Australian Cancer Research Foundation.

HMQueenElizabethII · #**233** 03-05-2005, 07:17 AM

Princess Mary in Australia today:

HMQueenElizabethII · #**234** 03-05-2005, 07:20 AM

Some more pics:

Some from Getty Images:

pdas1201 · #**235** 03-05-2005, 07:52 AM

Polfoto and Anp pics...

HMQueenElizabethII · #**236** 03-05-2005, 07:56 AM

Some more from Getty:

pdas1201 · #**237** 03-05-2005, 09:16 AM

Pics from UK Press (you can have a closer look at her accecesories--stone jewelry and purple color purse she wore to the HCA Gala in New York)

bolla · #**238** 03-05-2005, 09:17 AM

I loooove that pink dress, not to sure about the jewlery though, agree with carlota on the other outfit, it was not very nice. Did not seem like mary's style at all. oh well we all make mistakes!

pdas1201 · #**239** 03-05-2005, 09:33 AM

Mary wore the same dress for her friend's wedding in 2002.

pdas1201 · #**240** 03-05-2005, 09:44 AM

Socialites shell out $3000 for a bite with the royals

By Miranda Devine
March 6, 2005
The Sun-Herald

Sipping Dom Perignon and nibbling on Iranian caviar canapes, the Danish royal couple mingled with 200 guests last night at the week's most intimate party, in the Elizabeth Bay waterfront mansion Boomerang.

Crown Princess Mary, 33, and Crown Prince Frederik, 36, arrived in a motorcycle cavalcade for the black-tie "supper dance" with 100 smartly dressed couples who had paid $3000 each in aid of the Australian Cancer Research Foundation.

In rooms bedecked with exotic orchids and sweet-smelling gardenias, the royals, who had wowed Sydney all week, appeared at their most relaxed. They laughed and chatted with guests including Tom Dery, chairman of the foundation, who also happens to have been the former Mary Donaldson's old boss when she worked at DDB Needham advertising agency in Melbourne.

Lisa Ho was there with husband Philip Smouha, who donated the hundreds of metres of cream silk damask draped over the tables. Hermes boss Karin Upton Baker and Gary Baker were responsible for the perfumes.

Enjoying the wagyu beef tartare with quail egg and truffle circling the room were Andrew and Penne Peacock and her American banker son Fritz Korth, Simon and Prue Perrott, Jim and Angela Flemming, and Lady (Sonia) McMahon, a foundation founding member. All the way from Perth with diamonds blazing came Eileen "Red" Bond and pal Johnny Baker. And jetting in from Mary's home state of Tasmania came Gunns' timber company boss John Gay and wife Erica of Launceston.

After chatting to guests for an hour or so, Mary and Frederick were ushered outside to a vast stone table in the courtyard for supper, while other guests gathered at small tables of four and six to feast on a supper of tea-smoked duck breast and spiced lamb rack.
Outside, by the pool, transparent marquees draped with silk damask guarded against Sydney's ever-threatening March drizzle. Moroccan lights hung low to match the 1920s Spanish mission style of the house. Two $6.5 million yachts were moored offshore. Bentleys packed the driveway. And the air was filled with the haunting voice of a jazz singer who, guests marvelled, looked just like the princess.

Eat your heart out Jay Gatsby.

Earlier yesterday, in a rare unguarded moment, Mary and Frederik escaped their royal duties for a late lunch in a Paddington cafe.

Surrounded by fellow diners and security team at a discreet distance, the royal couple sat down at Gusto Deli Cafe in Five Ways about 3pm.

The lunch was squeezed in between official engagements.

Before lunch Mary met Mr Dery at the Westmead Millennium Institute.

Mr Dery said he had invited the princess to see the work being done on skin cancer at the institute. The princess said she was keen to take the knowledge about sun damage back to Denmark.

"She was prepared to spend time in an area that is less glamorous. She was simply in a laboratory with scientists," Mr Dery said.

"I think she was very concerned simply in observing the number of people even in Denmark who naturally worship the sun after a long winter and also the use of sunbeds and she's very concerned about the future impact of that."