On Monday, the world got its first glimpse of the newest addition to the Danish royal family when Crown Princess Mary left the hospital with the "lille pigen," Danish for "little girl," a nickname Mary revealed to the press since the baby's name will not be known until her baptism (July 1).
Looking much more like a mommy this time around than when she left the hospital, Mary looked relaxed and well as she carried her newborn daughter in her arms. At Fredensborg Palace, Prince Christian joined the presentation, completing the family of four.
It's a Girl! A Danish Princess is Born!
0 Comments Published by Alexandria on Saturday, April 21, 2007 at 11:01 a.m..
This morning (well, here in Toronto it was morning anyways), Crown Princess Mary of Denmark gave birth to a daughter at Rigshospitalet in Copenhagen (4:02 p.m. Copenhagen time). The little girl is the second child for Crown Princess Mary and her husband Crown Prince Frederik, who have an 18-month old son, Prince Christian. The newborn girl is the first Danish princess to be born since 1946 -- the year that Princess Anne-Marie (now Queen Anne-Marie of Greece) was born to King Frederik IX and his wife Queen Ingrid. Queen Anne-Marie is the newborn princess's paternal great-aunt.The little princess's birthday has a special royal significance: She was born on Queen Elizabeth II's birthday, the former commonwealth sovereign of her mother's birthplace, Australia. (I wonder if Elizabeth might be part of the baby's name then?!)
As per Danish tradition (well, religious tradition, actually), the baby's name will not be revealed until her baptism. So, now the name guessing can begin! Some possible contenders: Margrethe, Elisabeth, Louise, Alexandrine, Ingrid, Thyra, Ingeborg, Dagmar and Maria/Marie.
Likely middle name choices will be Henrietta (for Mary's late mom) and Ingrid (for Frederik's maternal grandmother, the late Queen Ingrid).
When meeting with the press today, proud new papa Crown Prince Frederik said that his daughter has a full head of dark hair and dark eyes, and that when he held her for the first time he wasn't as scared as when he held his son for the first time. He compared holding his newborn son to a set of Flora Danica (china), and he said that he was more secure and comfortable in holding a newborn the second time around.
Queen Margrethe and Prince Henrik also made a visit to the hospital this evening to visit with Mary and their newborn granddaughter. The Queen said that her new granddaughter was "a sweet and lovely girl," but had no opinion on whom the baby resembled, saying only that "babies are very sweet, but look like, well, babies."
Tomorrow, flags will fly in honour of the new baby as will 21 salutes from the Sixtus Battery on Holmen in Copenhagen and from Kronborg Castle in Elsinore.
Prince Christian Heads to School
0 Comments Published by Alexandria on Tuesday, March 27, 2007 at 7:13 p.m..
Little Danish Prince Christian arrived for his first day of nursery school (really like a glamourized version of daycare) at Queen Louise's Child Care Centre in Fredensborg. His dad Crown Prince Frederik carried him part of the way while he walked part of the way on his own. Mommy Crown Princess Mary followed with Christian's purple backpack in hand.
Christian looks like such a little man in his pants and pea coat, walking on his own! He looks much more grown up (as much as one can be a "grown up" at 18 months of course) than he did last month in Switzerland in his snowsuit and hat. He looks like a little boy now!
Christian looks like such a little man in his pants and pea coat, walking on his own! He looks much more grown up (as much as one can be a "grown up" at 18 months of course) than he did last month in Switzerland in his snowsuit and hat. He looks like a little boy now!
Princess Alexandra Weds Martin Jørgensen
1 Comments Published by Alexandria on Saturday, March 3, 2007 at 3:12 p.m..
Today, at 4 p.m., Princess Alexandra of Denmark married Martin Jørgensen, a cameraman who turned 29 yesterday. They were married this afternoon at Øster Egende Kirke in Fakse, Denmark. Upon the marriage, Princess Alexandra lost her princess title and is now referred to as the Countess of Frederiksborg.
For the wedding, the bride donned an ivory-coloured dress with a beaded pattern from the waist up and with a slight train. (The dress is remarkably similiar in cut and style from the beige-coloured dress she wore to one of Crown Prince Frederik's pre-wedding festivities to Mary Donaldson. (See below for the comparison.)
Princess Alexandra walked down the aisle escorted by her two sons, Prince Nikolai and Prince Felix, who wore light brown-coloured jackets and ivory ties. The groom donned white tie.
Although it is not certain, there are stories that Alexandra's earrings and necklace were from her former husband, Prince Joachim, either as a wedding gift when they were married or as a gift some time during their marriage. (What an old choice for jewellery to your second wedding!)
Personally I didn't care for Alexandra's look, from the beehive hair do with the flowers or ribbon woven into it to the white eyeshadow to the colour of the dress. I know that the recent royal brides were not virgins at their wedding, but ivory at your second wedding when you are 43 year's old with two sons, is a bit much.
She and Martin did look very happy however, and I guess that is what matters most.
For the wedding, the bride donned an ivory-coloured dress with a beaded pattern from the waist up and with a slight train. (The dress is remarkably similiar in cut and style from the beige-coloured dress she wore to one of Crown Prince Frederik's pre-wedding festivities to Mary Donaldson. (See below for the comparison.)
Princess Alexandra walked down the aisle escorted by her two sons, Prince Nikolai and Prince Felix, who wore light brown-coloured jackets and ivory ties. The groom donned white tie.
Although it is not certain, there are stories that Alexandra's earrings and necklace were from her former husband, Prince Joachim, either as a wedding gift when they were married or as a gift some time during their marriage. (What an old choice for jewellery to your second wedding!)
Personally I didn't care for Alexandra's look, from the beehive hair do with the flowers or ribbon woven into it to the white eyeshadow to the colour of the dress. I know that the recent royal brides were not virgins at their wedding, but ivory at your second wedding when you are 43 year's old with two sons, is a bit much.
She and Martin did look very happy however, and I guess that is what matters most.
Danish Royal Family Roundup: February 5 to 9
3 Comments Published by Alexandria on Saturday, February 10, 2007 at 1:44 p.m..
The Danish royal family began the week with Crown Princess Mary celebrating her 35th birthday. As in previous years, Mary celebrated in Verbier, Switzerland with Crown Prince Frederik and Prince Christian. Mary looks amazing for someone who is six months pregnant -- she actually doesn't even look like she is pregnant in these outfits. And her hair looks great in this casual setting, especially with the pageboy cap. The young family also posed for pictures on the slopes. Baby Christian looked ever so adorable in his snow suit and hat. He looked like a little Buddha in one of the pictures!
Then on Wednesday it was announced by the Danish royal court that Princess Alexandra, the ex-wife of Prince Joachim, would marry her boyfriend of several years, Martin Jørgensen, on March 3 in a private ceremony. Upon her marriage, Alexandra will no longer be part of the royal family. She will then be referred to as the Countess of Frederiksborg, a title granted to her upon her divorce from Joachim. Martin is 15 years Alexandra's junior and is a filmmaker who works for his dad. Upon her marriage Alexandra will have to pay taxes like a regular Danish citizen.
Personally I was quite surprised by the engagement. To me, the relationship didn't seem that serious. Not serious enough for marriage anyways. And while the public can never know what happened in Joachim and Alexandra's marriage, Martin felt like a "rebound guy" as he was the first guy Alexandra was seen with following the end of her marriage to Joachim.
Then on Thursday, Queen Margrethe's right knee was successfully operated on. She was previously operated on during the summer. She is expected to remain in the hospital for one week and will scale back some duties in the interim to recover.
Then on Wednesday it was announced by the Danish royal court that Princess Alexandra, the ex-wife of Prince Joachim, would marry her boyfriend of several years, Martin Jørgensen, on March 3 in a private ceremony. Upon her marriage, Alexandra will no longer be part of the royal family. She will then be referred to as the Countess of Frederiksborg, a title granted to her upon her divorce from Joachim. Martin is 15 years Alexandra's junior and is a filmmaker who works for his dad. Upon her marriage Alexandra will have to pay taxes like a regular Danish citizen.
Personally I was quite surprised by the engagement. To me, the relationship didn't seem that serious. Not serious enough for marriage anyways. And while the public can never know what happened in Joachim and Alexandra's marriage, Martin felt like a "rebound guy" as he was the first guy Alexandra was seen with following the end of her marriage to Joachim.
Then on Thursday, Queen Margrethe's right knee was successfully operated on. She was previously operated on during the summer. She is expected to remain in the hospital for one week and will scale back some duties in the interim to recover.
A New Do for Crown Princess Mary
0 Comments Published by Alexandria on Friday, January 26, 2007 at 8:37 p.m..
Today, when Mary attended an engagement at the Museum of Copenhagen on behalf of the Children's Aid Foundation, she was sporting a new do. A shoulder-length bob that is a big contrast to the long locks that used to flow down her back. After the initial shock of seeing the pictures this morning at The Royal Realm, and now having consumed some caffeine and had some proper food, looking at the pictures again, the look is growing on me for Mary. It makes her look older yes, but it also makes her look more professional.
Of all the princesses, I'm surprised that she has been the one to cut her hair so short. She seems to be one of those who has embraced the glamour part of her new life the most with a wardrobe to match her new life. For me, the image of a princess always goes hand in hand with long hair -- all the better for those up-dos and French twists with your tiara. It's certainly do-able still of course with short hair, but it just takes a bit more work.
Of all the princesses, I'm surprised that she has been the one to cut her hair so short. She seems to be one of those who has embraced the glamour part of her new life the most with a wardrobe to match her new life. For me, the image of a princess always goes hand in hand with long hair -- all the better for those up-dos and French twists with your tiara. It's certainly do-able still of course with short hair, but it just takes a bit more work.
Queen Margrethe II: 35 Years on the Throne
0 Comments Published by Alexandria on Sunday, January 14, 2007 at 11:19 a.m..
Today, Danish Queen Margrethe celebrates her 35th anniversary on the throne. It is of course a bittersweet anniversary as it also marks the 35th anniversary of her father, King Frederik IX's death. Unlike most occupations, one doesn't get promoted only because one's parent has passed away.
The chain smoking queen -- who once smoked during a visit to an asthma ward of a hospital -- makes no apologies for who she is, yellow teeth and all, and has etched out time for her artistic pursuits. She is a much loved figure in Denmark and certainly one of my favourite queens.
The chain smoking queen -- who once smoked during a visit to an asthma ward of a hospital -- makes no apologies for who she is, yellow teeth and all, and has etched out time for her artistic pursuits. She is a much loved figure in Denmark and certainly one of my favourite queens.
