Programme for Queen Margrethe’s 70th birthday

The Danish court has released the programme for Queen Margrethe’s 70th birthday celebrations. The programme may be changed.

To my mind, there is a whole lot of exhibits going on. No indication yet whether there will be a massive invasion of royal guests from all over Europe, as there was for her 60th birthday, although the “party for private friends” on the evening of the 16th, could be interpreted that way.

Without further ado  - the programme.
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Queen Margrethe’s 70th birthday honoured with new stamp

Queen Margrethe of Denmark turns 70 on 16 April 2010 and we can count on celebrations. The (older generations) of the Danish royals are a bit of experts when it comes to throwing large celebrations for royal jubilees and not the least the immensely popular artistic Margrethe has held large several-day long events when she has previously celebrated special anniversaries, compete with impressive guest lists and gala occasions.

Royal jubilees are usually also marked by special editions of stamps. And next year will be no exception, when Margrethe soon turns 70 the Danish post takes the opportunity to phase out an old stamp with the Queen and replace it with a new one. (more…)

Princess Marie will be giving out prize

Amidst the recent news that Prince Henrik is stepping down from some of his royal duties, comes another revelation.

Billedbladet reports that the annual “Prix Littéraire des Ambassadeurs de la Francophonie” awarded by the Prince Consort, this year will be awarded by his new daughter-in-law, Princess Marie, instead.

The prize has been given out since 2001, and is a monetary sum of 10,000 Danish kroner given to Danish authors who have been translated to French.

It is not up on the royal calendar yet – it usually takes place early/mid-October, but it will be interesting to see if Billedbladet is correct in their guess. I would not think it was strange if it turns out to be true – Prince Henrik has been voicing thoughts along the lines of retirement for a while, or at least stepping down, whereas Princess Marie is looking for patronages or events that would not be stepping on her sister-in-law’s turf.

Pictures from the event last year.

Prince Henrik stepping down

Today the Danish court released the news that Prince Henrik, the Prince Consort, will be stepping down from his role as chancellor of the Danish royal orders. The Queen has appointed Prince Joachim as his successor in this role.

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Prince Henrik feels his age

Prince Henrik of Denmark, the Prince Consort, is according to Billedbladet feeling his age. After last year’s surgery in his arm, he is now having great pains following rapid arm movements.

According to Billedbladet, this means that the annual hunts and hunting parties hosted by the Prince Consort and the Queen, will be greatly diminished in size, if not disappearing altogether at the moment.

It will be interesting to see, this coming autumn, if they are correct in their estimation of the situation, or if the hunts will go on, regardless of the Prince Consort’s injury situation. After all, the Crown Prince and Prince Joachim have also been known to participate in the hunts.

Amalienborg, 16. April, 2009

The Queen’s Birthday. And the whole family was out in full force. I did not actually notice Princess Isabella until I came home – she is rather small behind the bars.

The balcony scene is interesting to see, year after year, especially when it includes the children. Prince Nikolai is tall enough to comfortably look over the barrier now, and his brother, Prince Felix has also reached the desired height. Prince Christian, on the other hand, is trying so hard to look over the barrier, whereas his sister, Princess Isabella has decided against trying and is more comfortable looking through the bars.

Amalienborg Palace Square was stuffed with people today, old and young, Danes and tourists – as well as Her Majesty’s guard playing the birthday song. If you ever have the occasion to be in Copenhagen on the 16th of April, I sincerely recommend a trip to the Palace square, at 12 o’clock.

This was probably the last public engagement for Princess Marie until the birth.

For more pictures taken by yours truly: Flickr

Danish Queen appointed new Prime Minister

Queen Margrethe of Denmark was just about to take up residence at Marselisborg Palace for the Easter holidays when at the last minute she had to conduct one of the head of state’s most important functions – dismissing and appointing the Prime Minister.

The Prime Minister since seven and a half years, Anders Fogh Rasmussen, was this past weekend appointed as the new Secretary General of NATO at the organisation’s meeting in Germany and France and it was decided that he would meet the Queen on Sunday before she left Copenhagen for Easter vacation. At 1:30 Her Majesty and Crown Prince Frederik received him in an audience at Amalienborg, during which the Queen accepted his resignation and offered a glass of champagne. About twenty minutes after arrival, Fogh Rasmussen left Amalienborg as a (almost) normal citizen. On 1 August he takes on the job at NATO.

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