Summary of article in Billed Bladet #50, 2018.
Written by Marianne Singer.
The purpose of M&F's visit to Latvia was to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the country's independence.
The three Baltic countries gained independence in the wake after the Russian Revolution.
In fact mercenaries from especially Latvia played a prominent role right after the Russian Revolution, when the Communists still had a tenuous grip of the power and there were several "what if" incidents involving Balts which might have prevented the Communists from taking over. But that's another and very fascinating story.
The independece was short lived and Soviet troops marched in in 1940 and in the period between that and German troops marching in the Balts were subjected to a brutal oppression. Which of course explains why so many Balts fought on the German side during WWII - leading to even more oppression after the war...
Anyway, M&F were received at the castle in Riga by the President of Lativia, Raimonds Vejonis and his wife, Iveta.
And here both national anthems were sung, before the party went inside for photos, signing of the guest book and small talk.
The formalities over with M&F went to the Freedom Monument to honor the fallen from the war of indenpendece in 1918-20. And here they met some of the locals in the shape of the Danish teacher, Daiga and her students, all speaking impressive Danish.
Next item on the agenda was a visit to the National Library, where a book with a foreword by Frederik was presented to Lativia.
Mary was wearing a pink, Jaquiline Kenendy suit by Claes Iversen. Her pillbox hat is by Susanne Juul. Her earrings by Dulong Fine Jewellery. Her clutch was by Bottega Veneta and shoes from Gianvito Rossi.
There is tendency to snow at this time of year in the Baltics, and often suddenly. That was also the case while M&F were there. So when Mary left a rehabilitation and counseling center for children a fresh white layer covered the ground. No big deal, except when your wearing high-heeled Gianvito Rossi shoes and you can't what's under the snow! Mary was however undaunted and carefully made it to the car. Her very appropriate frost-blue coat was by Joseph, combined with a silk blouse from Stine Goya.
Free from bullying is being implemented in Lativia, very much inspired by the Mary Foundation, but of course adapted to local needs.
While Mary navigated her way through the snow drifts Frederik attended architect competition, that is Denmarks official present to Latvia.
The visit culminated in an official dinner. Here Mary wore and outfit by Jesper Høvring.
Frederik who first visited Lativia in 1992, right after they regained their independence, told our reporter how glad he was to have Mary with her on this visit.
- Frederik worked as a staff officer at the Defence Command and wrote an analazys about the state of affairs in the Baltic countries and the security situation there, right after they regained their independence after the fall of the Wall in 1989. - There were as you may recall, several skirmishes between Baltic nationalists of Soviet troops.
that's a great gallery. Thank you Roskilde 
