Summary of a lot of articles in Billed Bladet #32, 2012
Written by our man in London, the Ulrik Ulriksen.
Finally! After fifteen days it was time to see dad again. Christian and Isabella, both carrying their schoolbags on their bags. (*) Both with their names stenciled on the bag, and with Christian's bag adorned with a copy of dad's shark-tattoo. (I can't make out what Isabella has on hers).
Past the sentry at the foot of the landing, past the saluting officer of the watch and... where is dad? There! Christian darted across the deck to his dad and flew into his arms, with Bella in hot pursuit.
Mary followed with her camera (Nikon). She too got a hug and a kiss.
In the evening there was a reception for the Danish athletes onboard Dannebrog and you have probably seen the group photo by now.
Tuesday 10.00, now for some Olympics!
Isabella and Christian, both wearing the official Vero Moda polo-shirts, ran down the landing, past the sentry. Oh, photographers. Christian stood still and posed, looking just like an adult, who is posing while trying to look natural.
Bella on the other hand
was natural. She just smiled at the photographers and started walking towards them, well, she put in a few dance-steps too, before she was reined in and posed with mum, dad, and big brother, who was still posing as stiff a any professional.
- And this is where BB had it's deadline. So more next week.
The family lives onboard Dannebrog, while in London. Frederik has for a period lived at Hilton Hotel in London in his capacity as an IOC member. (I guess that was more practical).
Last week there was a reception for the Danish athletes at Natural History Museum and here QMII gave a speech and said among other things: "What wonderful days you have given us. It has been a big experience to see the Danish athletes. It's enchanting to watch and we are very poud to have the opportunity to follow it. That applies to myself. It applies to the Prince Consort, who has had some fine experiences and it applies to the Crown Prince who follow everything, I believe.
It also applies to Princess Benedikte and soon also to Prince Joachim. And then we are not sorry that we also have a family member who is a competitor on the elite level and (who is) present at the Olympics. (**)
We are rejoicing over the medals. We wish you a continuing really good Olympic Games. May it be with delight that you return to Denmark, with or without medals but with a fine bowtie.... in both ears. (***)
Happy continuation".
This was an improvised speech as there were no papers on the rostrum and QMII doesn't believe in fanciful things like a teleprompter.
While the DRF, and Dannebrog, was in London, the ship was put to good use when a reception for Danish commerce in London took place on her quarter deck. That was hosted by Prince Henrik who joked around and ensured the mood was high.
Mary wasn't the only one who has been observed leaning her head against her husband. (Mary because she apparantly needed a power-nap). Charlene also used her husbands shoulder to lean on, so did Countess Stephanie. Guillaume obviously didn't mind at all!
Mette-Marit used her husbands knee and hand as a headrest, while Kate and William contended themselves with an embrace.
If you look careful at the pictures of Isabella you will notice a gold bracelet on her left wrist. She was presented with that on her fifth birtday as a part of an ongoing tradition in the DRF.
(*) The summer holiday is almost over, most schools will start on Monday. Christian will start in first grade and Isabella will start in pre-school, so now she'll attend the same school as her brother.
Isabella will presumably start in another week or so from now.
(**) Princess Nathalie, equestrian.
(***) I don't know what she refers to here.