Christening of Princess Athena: May 20, 2012

[Viv]

I associate the name Athena with a very nice and able guide, I one met in Greece! It's a beautiful name name, but rather unusual for a Danish princess, however it doesn't really matter as Princess Athena is destined for a life as 'lesser royalty'.
Looking at the guest list, I note that there are few absentees from the Danish richests list! In fact there seems to be more ' new money' than old titles.
Anyway, congratulations to the family, and as for Nikolai and Felix not being with Joachim and Marie and the younger kids I don't find anything unusual in it. They're a different 'litter' and they're the oldest of HM's grand children.

viv

[Mystiblue]

Originally Posted by ashelen

I like Marie and Mary they look fab, although the bck of the dress of Mary is a little too much? she must be very thin touse all that in her back! I love Isabella, she use th same dress that in the footoshot of last summer, just i dont like the little the colour of theflower i thought should to had been white or blue like the dress but she looksadorable anyway! poity not to see a better photo of her heair style!!!!! she looks so charming!!!

I agree Ashelen. Mary's dress looked like the "peplum" style that is out and about these days - especially in England. And Isabella sure has grown - I love the name Athena - it is a strong name - and as for Estelle - well that is a family name for me - so two ticks from me.

[Muhler]

Let's have a look at what the press has to say about the christening.
I've looked at Politiken, Berlingske Tidende, Jyllands Posten, DR1, TV2, Jyske Vestkysten and Fyens Stiftstidende.
(None of them found it odd that Felix and Nikolai went with the Regent Couple).

Sådan foregik den kongelige dåb - Royale | www.bt.dk
BT has a few comments.
QMII: "They are fine names".
Frederik: "I'm surprised about the names but they are nice".
Marie's mother: "Beautiful names".
Apparantly M&F did not know the names beforehand.

- Perhaps Athena was named after an owl? One of the papers list a number of places and gods named Athena, among them an owl, Athene Noctua.

The baptism is covered very well by DR1
Forside - dr.dk/Nyheder/Temaer/Prinsessedaab
Among the more than 200 guests were the maternity team from Rigshospitalet. Members of the staff from the local kindergardem in Møgeltønder and members of the staff from the kindergarten in Copenhagen where bette Henrik stays when M&J are in Copenhagen. As well as quite a number of the locals.

Among the invited were also some of J&M's heavy weight friends from Danish commerce.
Our Marie's stylist and hairdresser Dennis Knudsen, was among the guests as well.
Marie's absolute favourite designer Rikke Gudnitz was also among the guests.

The christening gown worn by Athena was the same bette Henrik wore, Athene just wore the under-gown. It's designed by Henrik Hviid.

Bette Henrik is suffering from asthma.

A gallery from TV2 focusing in particular on the little blue eyed goddess: TV 2 Gallery

A little detail I noticed in the clips. The bus and the car with the Regent Couple were escorted by PET, but J&M had no PET escort when they drove to the church.

Dåbstalen til prinsessen
Erik Normann Svendsen addressed Nikolai and Felix directly in his speech:
"... But I think about fact that she from the beginning has three brothers who will stand up for her, protect her and also raise and perhaps spoil her.
Before she even learns the names of her three brothers, she will sense the presence of Prince Nikoal, Prince Felix and the little Prince Henrik".

The local paper Jyske Vestkysten naturally covered the event. And they have a few nice galleries.
One of Isabella entertaining. (The commentators in the clip I've seen went completely gaga over Isabella and bette Henrik ) jv.dk - Aktuelle nyheder fra Syddanmark - Nyheder - Tønder - Se billederne af den charmerende prinsesse Isabella
A gallery of the family and friends with names: jv.dk - Aktuelle nyheder fra Syddanmark - Nyheder - Tønder - Billederne af gæsterne: Festen var for familie og venner

And a little story about an elderly gentleman who arrived on his bicycle during the christening in order to put flowers on his wife's grave. He didn't understand what all this commotion was about.
The police stopped him and he was asked to return a little later.
jv.dk - Aktuelle nyheder fra Syddanmark - Nyheder - Tønder - Ældre mand gik forgæves med gravblomster

[Madame Royale]

Originally Posted by Muhler

And a little story about an elderly gentleman who arrived on his bicycle during the christening in order to put flowers on his wife's grave. He didn't understand what all this commotion was about.
The police stopped him and he was asked to return a little later.
jv.dk - Aktuelle nyheder fra Syddanmark - Nyheder - Tønder - Ældre mand gik forgæves med gravblomster

Can't say I'm particularly impressed by that. It's evident the man was no security threat and that he was made to come back later, after he had already bicycled in, is imo, rather disgraceful.

For a royal family who's own Copenhagen residence has no gated perimeter (which too many can be surprising and alarming), I find the decision to have momentarily denied this elderly gentleman access to his late wifes grave, a rather poor and insensitive call of judgement.

It's not like he wanted to interrupt proceedings and needless to say his presence, whilst in the grounds, would have gone unnoticed by most I'm sure.

[Muhler]

Originally Posted by Madame Royale

Can't say I'm particularly impressed by that. It's evident the man was no security threat and that he was made to come back later, after he had already bicycled in, is imo, rather disgraceful.

For a royal family who's own Copenhagen residence has no gated perimeter, I find the decision to have momentarily denied this elderly gentleman access to his late wifes grave, a rather poor and insensitive call of judgement.

It's not like he wanted to interrupt proceedings and needless to say his presence, whilst in the grounds, would have gone unnoticed by most I'm sure.

I tend to agree with you.
Perhaps the local police officers who are not used to protecting royals were a bit jumpy or perhaps it was out of consideration.
Once the christening was over he would be able to visit his wife's grave in peace without being surrounded by foaming journalists and photographers.

[Madame Royale]

Originally Posted by Muhler

Once the christening was over he would be able to visit his wife's grave in peace without being surrounded by foaming journalists and photographers.

Which is of course what anyone would prefer I'm sure so that is a good point have made. Though I'd be quite surprised if that were to have been the reason for having prohibited the gentleman's entry at the time.

As always Muhler, many thanks for your contributions. You bring a great deal of information and perspective to this forum. And it's a better forum for your involvement.

[Kataryn]

Originally Posted by Frelinghighness

I just don't understand why Christian is never put in a tie, even little Henrik was wearing one. No tie for christian at the twins' christening or for the most formal event of the Jubilee.

Little Henrik one day will have a choice if he ever wants to wear a tie again or not. Christian won't have that choice, so at least as a boy he can be spared. Especially as there are two traditions: dress the Royal children like little grown-ups or let them wear special Children's wear (in former time sailor suits). So both is obviously correct.

[Madame Royale]

I think putting a tie on a child Christian's age looks rediculous so to have Henrik wear one is just nonsensical.

I never much liked seeing a tie on Joachim's two eldest boys. They either seemed to swamp their little necks or they just looked silly. Now that Nikolai is older I can see reason for him to wear a tie on occasion, but I still think there's little need for Felix to wear one.

Mary and Frederik have the balance right with children's wear. Unpretentious yet still maintaining a sense of style that is age appropriate. As such, I thought Prince Christian looked rather dashing. Certainly in contrast with his two older cousins.

[UserDane]

Personally, I hope that Christian may enjoy many years of going to family dos without a tie. He's a kid and I so do not like a grownup dresscode for kids.
So for me no tie for a boy and a not too formal dress for a girl is just right.

[iceflower]

.

Here are some more additional galleries:



** lehtikuva.fi gallery: Tässä on Athena Marguerite Françoise Marie **

** lehtikuva.fi gallery: Henrik-prinssi ehti pitkästyä pikkusiskon ristiäisissä **

** svenskdam.se: Danska dopet ** Snygg, snyggare – Mary och Marie **

[Muhler]

Does it really matter that much what the children are wearing?
As long they are not wearing rags.

If M&F prefer the casual look, fine.

If Joachim, our Marie and dare I say Alexandra think their children look cute in suits, so what? It doesn't harm children to wear a tie.
And I've seen the Norwegian children dressed up in national costumes. No problem, on the contrary.

Don't worry the ties and jackets would have come off soon enough.

Thank you, Madame Royale, I blush.

And I'd like to thank those who posted links and comments yesterday. None mentioned, none left out.

[ricarda]

Originally Posted by carlota

marie is the daughter of separated parents herself. she spoke long about how this marked her. she obviously understands N+F's position. i've seen this couple throughout and in no occasion i have seen marie having a bad or even ignoring behaviour towards joachim's kids. they are clearly a family.

I think Marie has a good and relaxed relationship with her stepsons and doesn't expect more of them than they are willing to give (as she put it in her documentary, based on her own experiences). And it's quite normal for a mother to focus on her own child(ren) on such a day. And we don't know who made the decision to team the boys with their grandparents. Perhaps it was the wish of the boys or their grandparents? And why always blame the stepmother/woman, why not the father/man?

On the other hand I think that this christening has made it clear that they are NOT a family. They are a family + the children of the first marriage who sometimes join them (photoshoot) and sometimes not (christening).

[CASSARD]

No official group'fotos? Thanks

[Meraude]

Originally Posted by ricarda

On the other hand I think that this christening has made it clear that they are NOT a family. They are a family + the children of the first marriage who sometimes join them (photoshoot) and sometimes not (christening).

It's a bit difficult to be a family when living 300 km and 3½ hours away from eachothers most of the time.

[dazzling]

Originally Posted by CASSARD

No official group'fotos? Thanks

Official pictures are suppose to be released today, I am pretty sure there is going to be a group picture with at least the godparents.

[ricarda]

meraude
It's a bit difficult to be a family when living 300 km and 3½ hours away from eachothers most of the time.

Yes, you are right, fact is they don't live together. They are not part of each other's everday family lives.

[Carminha Stalker]

Lovely photos. Very interesting comments.
I love the name Athena. In Portuguese, the capital of Greece is Atenas.
IMO Nikolai and Felix, should have been sitting near the couple, Henrik and the baby.
When I see the Norwegian RF, Marius is always included in all the photos.
And I thought the two older boys looked a bit sad.
Whoever organized this "separation" did a bad job and showed a bad image.

[LadyS]

I have always thought that Marie seems to have a really good relationships with her stepsons.

Does anyone know if Queen Margethe and Prince Henrik were staying with Joachim and Marie before the christening. Perhaps they drove to Mogeltonder with the boys from Copenhagen and that is why Joachim and Marie arrived without them.

[crm2317]

Originally Posted by Carminha Stalker

Lovely photos. Very interesting comments.
I love the name Athena. In Portuguese, the capital of Greece is Atenas.
IMO Nikolai and Felix, should have been sitting near the couple, Henrik and the baby.
When I see the Norwegian RF, Marius is always included in all the photos.
And I thought the two older boys looked a bit sad.
Whoever organized this "separation" did a bad job and showed a bad image.

I completely agree. I don't believe that there is a bad relationship within the family. The boys always seem relaxed and happy when with Marie and Joachim. My own personal feeling is that as members of the royal family they should be setting a positive example and image to other Danes who may find themselves in a similar situation.

[Danish girl]

As for the older boys not sitting with them in the church, it might simply be because there was no room.
It is a small church and having five chairs standing next to each other might not have been an option. Then they would have had to sit behind Marie, Joachim, Henrik & Athene - which would mean that they probably would not be able to see anything but the backs of the adults. How fun.

I would have liked to see them all walk into the church together.
I was happy to see them all walk out together. However I do not understand why they left them behind inside the church.

I have often wondered why they choose to have Nikolai and Felix wearing the same outfit and Henrik another. IMO either all should be the same or all should be different.

That being said, I don't see any of them having a bad relationship.
And to whomever said that Marie only seems to act like she has a good relationship with the boys when the cameras are on - how exactly do you know how she acts when there is no camera?