Hello!
This post is heavy on Royal News...
non-monarchists may wish to turn away now......
Australia's own Mary, Crown Princess of Denmark, turned 50 last Friday.
The former Mary Donaldson from Hobart, Tasmania, she married Crown Prince Frederick in 2004, and has produced four adorable children.
They met in Sydney during the Summer Olympics in 2000.
By all accounts, Mary is loved by the people of Denmark: she mastered the difficult Danish language, fits in well, and carries out her royal duties with aplomb and a large helping of glamour.
Here is the whole family: Crown Prince Frederick and Crown Princess Mary at back,
Princess Isabella 14, Prince Christian 16, and twins Prince Vincent and Princess Josephine who turned 11 in January.
Today, February 6, marks Accession day for Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II.
Exactly 70 years ago, her beloved father, King George VI, passed away suddenly at Sandringham while Elizabeth was on tour in Africa.
As has been her custom over the years, the 95 year old Queen is currently at Sandringham to observe her father's anniversary.
However, on Saturday, she began the exciting year of her Platinum Jubilee with a little party :
Looking radiantly happy, but she has lost a lot of weight this year...
Earlier in the week, looking over congratulatory cards, and a fan belonging to Queen Victoria signed by family and friends on Victoria's Jubilee.
Queen Elizabeth II is the longest reigning monarch in the history of Britain.
However, she is currently fourth on the list of long-reigning world monarchs.
For the curious, here are the top three:
King Louis XIV of France - reigned 1643-1715 - 72 years, 110 days.
King Bhumibol of Thailand - reigned 1946-2016 - 70 years, 126 days.
Johann II, Prince of Leichtenstein - reigned 1858-1929 - 70 years, 91 days.
Have a wonderful Jubilee year.
Doesn't she look bright and happy?
Have a great week
XXXXX
I wonder if the Queen will manage to reach the top of that list. Two years is just the blink of an eye, but at 95 years old it is a mountain to climb.
ReplyDeleteShe has lost a lot of weight, but at her age that is probably no bad thing.
Yes, I thought that too, a long 2 years for our Queen. She certainly looks very healthy these days, and excited about her special year.
DeleteDearest Patricia,
ReplyDeleteWell Crown Princess Mary looks like a very lovely wife, mother and woman.
Managing Danish is not that difficult, knowing English.
As for languages I know about seven different ones...
As for the Queen, guess that is an age way beyond for anyone to be active. They live a tough and often deprived life; don't envy them!
Hugs,
Mariette
Ah, that is interesting Mariette. Our press have made a big deal of Mary learning 'difficult' Danish, but there you are, they just love to create a drama :)
DeleteThat is wonderful you know seven languages, we Australians tend to know just English and a smattering of French or German.
The life as a working royal does not appeal to me at all!
Patricia, only we have to think back about poor Princess Diana how she got hunted down by paparazzi and even chased into death... Not having any freedom is a living hell! Let me be me and enjoy my freedoms.
DeleteDanish is just like English a Germanic language. Dutch and German are as well.
Roman languages are the French; Spanish, Italian, Romanian and of course Portuguese.
I could manage to communicate with Portuguese by mixing Spanish and French. Also I watched the Romanian TV while living/working in Italy and understood 60%. When the Olympic wrestling team came to Dublin our local Chamber of Commerce called me, asking if I spoke any Romanian. No I said but if they speak slowly in Romanian, I understand them and when I speak slowly in Italian; we communicate. That's what we did when getting together and I could translate their wishlists for things to bring home from the US, for their wife or fiancee. Also I could pinpoint the store where they would find it. BIG smiles! It often is not about literature but about reaching out and helping others.
It opens so many windows to the world!
Big hugs,
Mariette
Crown Princess Mary of Denmark is a stunning woman, a classic beauty. She and Kate, the Duchess of Cambridge, look like sisters.
ReplyDeleteI admire the Queen's commitment to service. I expect in the near future Prince Charles will be named regent.
The two crown princesses do resemble each other in many way, as you say. Even their beautiful long dark hair!
DeleteThat is an interesting point about Prince Charles, I had not thought of that. Maybe after the Jubilee celebrations?
Thank you so very much for this fabulous post dear Trish.
ReplyDeleteI learned a lot regarding sovereigns and their long reigns, not knowing the Queen still has a while - bless her heart - to get to the top of the list. "LONG MAY SHE CONTINUE TO REIGN"
I have to agree on the likeness of Kate and Mary - and what a delightful photo of the Danish Royal Family.
I was surprised at the Queen's weight loss - still a beautiful lady though, and more important, a dedicated woman who has done an amazing job her entire life.
If all goes according to plan, we'll make it to London this summer - but it will be just after the Jubilee weekend hullabaloo. . . . . .which might be easier for us!
Hugs - Mary
Hello Mary. I was surprised when I looked up the long reigns too, having imagined the Queen was the leader by now! Doesn't the Queen look beautiful, with her radiant smile. The Jubilee will certainly cheer her up immensely. I think she might love a party...
DeleteFingers crossed you make it to London, and you will still see some of the Jubilee decor, without the crowds.
What a handsome Danish royal family. I also love Queen Margrethe II of Denmark, Mary's mother-in-law. I hope the Crown Princess gets back to Australia too.
ReplyDeleteQueen Elizabeth II is amazing! She just gets on with life and her duties, doesn't she? She is much loved the world over. How lovely she looks with her radiant smile!
Hi Debra. Aren't those Danish royals charming! Queen Margrethe II interests me too, with her considerable artistic talent. She has just reached 50 years in her reign.
DeleteWishing Queen Elizabeth much joy after a difficult year in 2021, as she embarks on a (gentle) celebration year.
Poor dear Princess Diana would have been a much more beautiful Queen than Camilla!! But c'est la vie. Remember rising quite early here in the USA to watch that wedding; shameful that there were three in that marriage!
ReplyDeleteQueen Elizabeth still charms and hope the weight loss isn't from health matters.
That was my concern re the weight loss, but sadly we cannot keep our Queen forever :)
DeleteI too remember watching that wedding in 1981, and sharing a box of chocolates with the family. Such a happy day full of promise. But the past is the past, and Camilla has worked hard in her marriage to Charles at an age when many of us are retired. I am happy for her to be the Queen Consort as is the traditional role.
What a lovely post! And I so love the photos that you have given us to see, the royalty from Denmark- we rarely see photos of them. AND Queen Elizabeth, she has had such good health for so many years but I am afraid that the passing of her dear husband must have taken quite a toll on her health. I do admire her so much, I am one amongst millions all over the world.
ReplyDeleteThank you Kay. In Australia we see the Danish royalty pictures simply because of Our Mary :) We are so impressed she will be Queen one day.
DeleteYes, the Queen has taken a toll this past year, and it is lovely to see her radiant smile is back.
A lovely post, Patricia. I admire our Queen so very much for her steadfast faithfulness to her role, in spite of some very difficult times. She looks radiant and happy, and I hope this Jubilee year will be a good one for her.
ReplyDeletePrincess Mary of Denmark is a beautiful woman, too. I saw a video clip a few months ago of her speaking at her husband's birthday party - in English and in Danish. She did so well, mixing humour and tenderness in her words.
I too hope the Queen enjoys her very special year - she deserves it after the last couple of difficult years.
DeleteI remember the video clip from the birthday party; Mary was every inch a modern princess, and the smile from her husband says it all.
Doesn't the Queen look great, and also happy? I heard a very nice interview on the radio with a childhood friend, about her and her father. I am also pleased that she is so positive about Camilla. I met Camilla about a year ago, walking through our local market, nobody was taking much notice of her, strangely, they were all crowding round Prince Charles. (They don't usually walk around our market by the way, it was an anniversary and lots of organic stuff, etc. which Charles is very keen on).
ReplyDeleteYes, it is lovely to see the Queen so happy. I think she is really looking forward to her Jubilee year.
DeleteThere have been snippets of film now and then of Prince Charles and Camilla walking in markets, and how exciting you met with her. She must be a remarkable lady, I think, with great patience and good humour. It was great to see HM supporting her in this way, particularly as 'The Crown' is so inaccurate and can poorly influence public opinion.
The Queen of Denmark is quite lovely looking. So interesting nshe met her husband at the Olympics. We were just this afternoon watching some of today's Olympics on television.
ReplyDeleteHer Majesty, Queen of England has never missed a step in her long reign. I have always admired her. I hope she continues in good health and happiness. It is much deserved.
Hi Darla, Australians love that ‘Mary and Fred’ Met in a Sydney bar!
DeleteYes the Queen is quite amazing in her lifelong commitment, always gracious and charming and a great diplomat. She deserves her special year.
Hi Trish ~
ReplyDeleteI love that you share info and history like this. I find it all so fascinating. Planning a Europe trip in the future because I have a cousin stationed in Italy...but we're hoping to add London to the list!
The Queen seems amazingly strong and resilient and looks bright and happy. Crown Princess Mary reminds me a little of how I think Kate will look as she ages. 😉
Ooh, exciting Carrie. We love Italy and definitely go to London on the way. Can't wait to see your trip.
DeleteQuite a resemblance between Mary and Kate - two nice ladies who became princesses and future Queens.
A lovely post, Patricia. I didn't know about the Australian connection with Denmark! The photos are lovely and the queen looks fantastic for her years.
ReplyDeleteHi Val, Australia loves that we have a Crown Princess over there in Denmark. A great Aussie girl who met her prince in a Sydney pub. Isn't it lovely to see the Queen blossom again after the sadness of the past couple of years.
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ReplyDeleteI enjoyed this. Elizabeth looks like she could go on forever, what an amazing woman.
ReplyDeleteAmalia
xo
Hi Amalia, glad you enjoyed. Isn't she amazing for age 95 - we can only admire our Queen. xo
DeleteHappy Valentine's Day, dear Patricia. Have a sweet day filled with chocolate and love. ; )
ReplyDelete~Sheri
Hello Sheri, I do hope you also had a beautiful Valentine Day! xx
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