Christening of Princess Athena: May 20, 2012

[crm2317]

Love how little Henrik just ran off as soon as he got out of the church.

I was pleased to see Nikolai and Felix catch up with them and was hoping for them to leave as one big family but alas it wasn't to be. However it was nice how once they caught up in the church Marie put her arm around Felix who then put his hand up on his baby sister.

 

[carlota]

Congrats to Marie for being able to curtsey so deep with those heels and with a baby in her arms!

totally, that was a nice deep curtsy of marie to the queen!

i love the family of shackenborg. wasn't it lovely how marie hugged felix when him and nikolai joined them when leaving the church? and the complicity of marie and the queen smiling at each other after the christening and their hug when meeting at shackenborg after the ride home...

who were the ladies welcoming marie and joachim into shackenborg? nannies?

 

[Archduchess Zelia]

Apparently, according to a journalist from BT, Frederik and Mary didn't know the names beforehand, Frederik saying "We didn't know the names, but they're very pretty" when leaving the church.

 

[Danish girl]

as usual.
But I love it. Nice choice.

 

[Artemisia]

Marie appears to have very, very warm relationships with Nikolai and Felix.
And her curtsey to Her Majesty was just exemplary.

Gallery from Newscom.

 

[CharlotteAmalia]

Athena is somehow nice and i like that they took the french versions of Margrethe and Maria. So it is allright. But Athena - i am not totally happy with it. It is ways better than the Estelle-disaster. But i think, it would be better to take an more regal first name, like Louise etc.. But as Felix and Nikolai don't have regal names, i should not have expected it.

 

[Catharina]

It seems many have trouble spelling the name 'Marguerite' correctly, I've seen it in papers and Wikipedia as 'Margueritte' and 'Margrethe'. I am still trying to get used to the name. Considering the princess received a Greek name, it seems strange that the Greek royal family was not there. I would've loved it if Princess Theodora or Princess Tatiana was one of the godmothers or Prince Philippos or Prince Nikolaos one of the godfathers.

 

[Madame Royale]

The 'people' at wikipedia certainly move swiftly.

I too like the French pronounciation of Margaret. It's quite lovely and it was all but guaranteed, or so one would have thought, that Marie should have featured in the childs name.

I should wonder if this shall be the last grandchildren for the Queen and Prince Consort. I can't envision that the Crown Princely couple will look to have any more children (understandably) but it's still a possibility for the 36 year old Marie.

 

[iceflower]

.

Here's a second gallery from ppe, one from bt.dk and another one from bt.dk!



B.dk also has a gallery: Kongelig barnedaab i Moegeltoender

 

[FasterB]

Marie appears to have very, very warm relationships with Nikolai and Felix.

I must admit that I didn´t saw that today...

 

[helenbeee]

off to bed its 2am here eek!

 

[chelly]

I personally like the name, a bit different. But if you look at everyone's names in the family they all have unique names. Or at least in my opinion they are unique. (You don't hear those names in America very often)

 

[Artemisia]

I must admit that I didn´t saw that today...

Their interaction after the ceremony was really sweet. I though that showed how close they are.

 

[Archduchess Zelia]

I must admit that I didn´t saw that today...

I agree, it was very peculiar that they weren't with their father, siblings and Marie. But usually they seem to have a very nice relationship to their stepmother.

 

[Biri]

I am surprised by the name, but Queen Anne-Marie would be happy.

As for French version: late Princess Margaret's only granddaughter is named Margarita (Italian version of Margaret)

 

[Artemisia]

I agree, it was very peculiar that they weren't with their father, siblings and Marie. But usually they seem to have a very nice relationship to their stepmother.

I thought they didn't arrive together simply because there wasn't enough place in the car today.

 

[gerry]

Photogallery from sn.dk

Den nye prinsesse hedder Athena - sn.dk - Sjællands Nyheder - sn.dk - Danmark

Lovely names! Athena is really nice!

Agree that the children of the first marriage were somewhat segregated from the second, so the impression given was an unfortunate one. However, I am thinking positively that the two older boys were assigned to escort HM Queen Margrethe and the Prince Consort who would otherwise be childless! BTW, love the new Princess' name that is full of symbolism: solidarity with Greece and its economic troubles (after all, Denmark doesn't have the euro and its doing okay!, hopefulness that the new princess will share the wisdom of her namesake, the Greek godess of wisdom and of course honouring the child's great aunt and uncle, who are the exiled monarchs of that beautiful country. Bravo Princess Marie and Prince Joachim!

 

[cdm]

I too find it a pity that Nicolai and Felix were seated and walking in and out with their grandparents instead of their own little family.

Marie with her soft pink dress and Joachim with his pink shirt and tie looked nice for their daughters baptism.

I'm too surprised by the name, but it will grow on us.
In the row Nicolai, Felix, Henrik, Athena, Henrik now seems a bit out of place because it's not that special in the family.

It was funny how Marie was smiling to the godparents when she said the name. Like she wanted to say: I bet you didn't see that one coming!

And wow, Mogeltonder seems like such a nice village, really beautiful!

I'm looking forward to the official photographs. I'm hoping for one with the Queen, Prince and all the grandchildren (hoping that the twins were at Shackenborg).

 

[maria-olivia]

Well giving to a Princess the name of a greek Goddess is strange !

 

[NGalitzine]

I somehow doubt they thought of naming their daughter in solidarity with the Greek people, the Greek economic crisis, or with the former royal family, more likely it was simply a nice name that they liked.

 

[Madame Royale]

solidarity with Greece and its economic troubles

You're not really suggesting that they named their daughter in solidarity with Greece due to the economic climate? Surely not

more likely it was simply a nice name that they liked

Agreed.

 

[Baroness of Books]

I, too, doubt there was any symbolism behind the name other than the fact that the parents like it. But it would have been nice to see a Danish name in there, too.

 

[FasterB]

I agree, it was very peculiar that they weren't with their father, siblings and Marie. But usually they seem to have a very nice relationship to their stepmother.

Yes, but it seems like that now she´s got her own two babies, then she´s forgetting about Nikolai and Felix (unless there are cameras near). Just my opinion.

 

[Zonk]

Let's not add 1 and 2 and come up with 11.

Just because Nikolai and Felix didn't ride or arrive with the family it doesn't mean that Marie doesn't care about them because she has her own kids. For all intents and purposes Nikolai and Felix appear to be included in most of the families events when they are with their father, Joachim appears to be a good father who loves his children, Alexandra is still their mother and Marie appears to adore them. and they her.

Frankly, I am insulted on Marie's behalf.

 

[CharlotteAmalia]

Yes, but it seems like that now she´s got her own two babies, then she´s forgetting about Nikolai and Felix (unless there are cameras near). Just my opinion.

Could be true and is probably even quite usual in a lot of families. But it is sad and not very helpful for the relationship between the half-siblings.

 

[NGalitzine]

Yes, but it seems like that now she´s got her own two babies, then she´s forgetting about Nikolai and Felix (unless there are cameras near). Just my opinion.

Why put the blame on Marie? Joachim is father to all 4 and no doubt had a hand in the arrangements.
Personally I think some people are looking for an issue when there isn't one, but them gossip and rumour appeal more to some people.

 

[soraya]

Congrats to Marie for being able to curtsey so deep with those heels and with a baby in her arms!


Isn't the Virgin Mary in Danish Marie?

No,"Marie" is the french version of "Mary"
I too can't understand why they didn't give the little princess at least one danish name.
Both of their children bears the french version of the name of paternal grandfather and grandmother

 

[Breffney]

I love all 4 names.

A beautiful setting and a wonderful family christening.

Thank you to everyone who posted the pictures and for the commentaries about what you were seeing either on TV or online.

 

[carlota]

Yes, but it seems like that now she´s got her own two babies, then she´s forgetting about Nikolai and Felix (unless there are cameras near). Just my opinion.

that didn't seem to be the case when marie hugged felix when they joined them at the end of the ceremony when leaving the church. how reasonable is it that they all squeeze in one car? that is 3 adults (joachim and marie and the driver) and 2 old children, one young children (henrik) and a baby. to me, it's just too many people for 4 seats!

let's be reasonable.

children don't lie. the smile of felix when seeing marie was pure honest liking for each other.

what i take away from today is that:
-marie was just beautiful! her smile was worth millions
-the family of joachim and marie are definitely close (even though some people seem to think that this is not the case because felix and nikolai were not with them from start to end)
-it is possible for royals to choose non-traditional names!
-marie and margrethe seem to be quite close indeed...

what is weird is that frederik and mary didn't bring the twins. although i guess it's easier to avoid babies in church services!

 

[NGalitzine]

Why are the guests kept waiting outside of the house with the doors closed.