The Danish crown princess Mary had a daughter yesterday. The first baby girl born in the Danish royal family since 1946. The Copenhagen buses were all driving around with their two little Danish flags flying above the windshield. They did that for the Queen's birthday too. Very festive. All the newspapers had a picture of crown prince Frederik with a big smile on his face with the quote "hun er fantastisk". She is fantastic.
For those of you who haven't kept up on your knowledge of the Danish royal family, it is the oldest monarchy in the world. It goes back to Gorm the Old in the 900s, and his son Harald I Bluetooth who united Denmark. Queen Margrethe II has been queen since 1972.
Her son Crown Prince Frederik is next in line to the throne. Crown Princess Mary is his wife. They also have an 18 month old son, Christian. Princess Mary is an Australian who met Prince Frederik at the Sydney Olympics.
The royal family is very well liked by the people of Denmark. They don't play any role in government beyond a symbolic one, and are kind of the face of the Danish people. They don't take any opinions or positions on any political issues. Some Danes question why a modern society still has royalty (and gives them money, a palace, etc). In the end though, they are very well liked and nobody would seriously consider getting rid of the royalty. Maybe if they did something terribly outrageous and embarrassing to Denmark, but that isn't going to happen. The royal family might be analogous to the American flag in some sense. A non-political nationalistic symbol of a people...?
7 comments:
You have been studying Danish history, I think. I had not kept up on my history of Denmark. Thanks for the info. :)
"10 days" well that's okay because I am sure you were busy doing something fun, perhaps festive. I do check everyday.
Take care.
Carol :)
Thanks to you, Eric, we're learning new things. You're delay in writing is understandable - first things first. Enjoy. Love. GG
Tsk. 10 days is completely unacceptable. Like you have better things to do or something, honestly. I just don't even know what to say to that. Speechless really, except for this rambling...
Interesting about the royal family. I think that is how it is in England is too, right? More of a figure head? Pretty sure I heard that in some Mary Kate and Ashley movie. :) Such a great source of information.
Hope you are living up your last month or so there!
Sister
Oh and T-6 days. :)
-Sister
Well TY for the lesson in Danish history/monarchy. Those Danes aren't as well known as the Brits - don't get themselves into trouble. :) Wonder if Harald actually had a blue tooth!! Your classes are paying off!
I do check your blog daily but know that you are WAY busier than I am so no big deal that it has taken you some time. But in the future... :) HA!
Should we contact DIS so they sing HB to you on Friday? :) The least they could do is get you some coupons for money off or free stuff.
Stay safe! S
Well I think it is a given by overwhelming vote that 10 days is too long to go without a blog. How about some more pictures. I asked the guys at Fagen construction if they wanted to give you a summer job and they said they would rather have you as a chemical engineer. I said "tough" as you would rather work for Vesta anyhow for big money. Did you send a card to the princess? Love Dad
Thanks for keeping us up-to-date on the Danish royal family. Never know when a person might be on a game show and need that kind of information. MOM
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