It may be about time to give Gråsten Manor it's own thread.
Especially if, as it is very much hoped in Southern Jutland(!), M&F intends to stay there for the main part of their summer holidays and perhaps even take over.
So speculations about what will happen to Gråsten Manor once M%F take the front seat has started in earnest.
Summary of article in Billed Bladet #29, 2015.
Written by Ulrik Ulriksen.
Gråsten Manor was a wedding present from the state to the Crown Prince Frederik and Crown Princess Ingrid back in 1935. They started using the place in 1936.
Wedding present in the sense that the state owns the place, but the right to use it befell to the DRF.
However, since 1935 very little interior renovation has been done! So the place need more that two coats of paint and I think it's safe to assume that the interior is "charming" and something that would make producers of antique shows drool.
The exterior of the building is well kept, that is paid for by the state, but sanitation, electric systems, wallpaper that is probably going to be the next major project for the DRF, or rather M&F. And they would probably find several local and very wealthy sponsors when a thorough renovation is to start.
One local enthusiast who knows the place very well indeed is a Poul Olsen, and he says: "It is perhaps not a simple task just to take over the manor and move in right away. Inside Gråsten Manor is not offering the wild luxury many perhaps believe. It is certainly not a luxury summer cottage.
Younger residents may wish to alter a good deal of the interior which stems back to the 1930's.
The bathrooms with classic terazzo-floor (*) is for example something that needs a good deal of work. But also the living quarters of the employees need a loving hand".
On the other hand there are lots of rooms at Gråsten.
QMII said at an interview in 2012 about M&F taking over the place: "We all love to stay at Gråsten and the Crown Princely Couple fortunately very much so, because they over time shall take over the place. It is to take place already while I'm around, because it certainly is the idea that they shall have Gråsten, if they can cope. But now we'll see. For the time being they need to find their own legs".
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If I am to predict anything. It will be that M&F will officially take over Gråsten within the next three-five years and that will also be the beginning of a major renovation of the manor. Judging from the odd pics it seems M&F have finally furnished their own home at Amalienborg and Kancellihuset at Fredensborg has also been renovated.
So I predict M&F will use Amalienborg as their main winter home. Kancellihuset as a weekend retreat and perhaps official summer residence outside the school summer holiday.
They will then stay at Gråsten for the main part of the six week school summer holiday, and perhaps during the Christmas holiday as well. Because we must expect M&F to begin hosting the larger Christmas celebrations now. A renovated Gråsten would be ideal, because it is larger than Marselisborg and more practical for larger family gatherings, after all with J&M we are now talking eight children plus nannies and other staff that need accommodation.
Trend will be used for the shorter family breaks, like the Easter holiday and the Autumn holiday.
That means that QMII will use Marselisborg for their summer, Christmas and Easter holidays. It's better suited for two people and a couple of friends. And being located in Aarhus it offers better opportunities for the Regent Couple to enjoy culture and art. Not to mention QMII's passion for archeology and pre-history! - And, and this is something we have to consider as well, the very advanced Aarhus Hospital is nearby.
Gråsten is after all located at the edge of a very small town and that means it's safer to take the family out riding bikes along the country lanes than in Aarhus. Even though there is a forest right next to Marselisborg there is much more traffic there.
Also, I believe M&F are more into enjoying the countryside, whether that is on foot, bike or horse. The Regent Couple are, and have always been, more city-dwellers in that respect.
So to sum up:
Amalienborg: Winter and main residence.
Gråsten: The school summer holidays and perhaps Christmas as well.
Trend: Weekends, Easter and Autumn holiday.
Kancellihuset: Summer, outside the school summer holiday and a weekend retreat.
(*) Something like this:
http://www.jyllands-posten.dk/pictures/migrated/article3133093.ece/ALTERNATES/h-free/terrazzogulv