New Interview & Pictures: Frederik & Mary - Berlingske Tidende

Varya · December 28, 2007, 09:11:37 PM

I think that when there are those types of rumors circulating and than a most certainly pre-planned photo-op arranged, even if they are truely in love (which seeing the pictures with the kids I do think that is the case) than it is hard to not have a sort of staged look happen.

And I agree some of the pics are a bit too staged looking, but the fact is they probably were... the photographer was probably telling them how to pose etc., and the pics where they are just laughing are the best because they were spontaneous. That is just how those things go, it should not be an indication of how their relationship is going imo.

Countessa · December 29, 2007, 12:05:03 AM

I believe Frederik is uncomfortable with these kinds of photo-ops and he's generally uncomfortable in the public eye and having his private life on display, which seems to make Mary uncomfortable and uneasy. Many of the pictures are very nice and seem natural though.

Sydney · December 29, 2007, 11:20:52 PM

What's happened to them? I mean... they used to look so happy and in love. It's not that they don't do it anymore but Mary's eyes look sad and melancholic.

Countessa · December 30, 2007, 04:26:12 PM

They seem all right to me. I don't think they should have another child for a while. Too much stress.

Kelly B · December 31, 2007, 08:25:29 PM

The couple pics outside that accompanied the article (I just read the translation of both parts) looked very akward and unnatural to me as well.

Is it customary for this couple to do such personal interviews at year-end? My first thought was this was a reaction to all the marriage trouble talk in the press? It felt very reactionary with extent of the "our marriage is great" talk. I always feel when public figures start talking about their personal lives in such depth--it isn't a good sign and it can be a slippery slope. I think even royals need to compartmentalize their lives to some extent. Even in translation, it was a rather uncomfortable interview to read--content wise.

I think all the current Crown Princesses have aged more than their years in service. The pics taken outside with Fred show Mary has definitely aged. They all have...time has passed but clearly the job/situation is stressful and it's showing on all.

Jenee · December 31, 2007, 11:59:33 PM

Joys, trials of royal motherhood

Tasmanian paper re-caps the story

dizzylizzy13 · January 01, 2008, 02:25:02 AM

I got really sad when I just remembered that Diana and Charles also did a sort of "our marriage is great" interview too ... makes me think thou doth protest too much? :shrug:

I hope things work out for them though, everyone deserves a little happiness. :flowers:

Countessa · January 01, 2008, 04:45:40 AM

I wouldn't say there is a lack of depth but there does seem to be a lack of direction. Frederik is very inarticulate. Mary isn't much either but she speaks better than Fred which makes her sound better next to him. CP Mette Marit actually expresses what is important to her in her role as CP such as AIDS and poor children in developing countries and she has done research on the subjects to speak about it with credibility. Similarly Maxima is very articulate about Microcredit to help the poor earn a living for themselves.

some excerpts from the interview:

QuoteQ: As the "newly instated" Crown Princess you were criticised in the press for being too interested in fashion. Is this an area from which you have retreated a bit?

"Fashion is an exciting industry and I believe it is almost the third largest export industry of the country [worth more than DKK 20 billion and growing]. I chose to get involved with fashion because it was a place to start and it was where I could be present and get some experience. It's a big and important industry, but because it was about fashion and money and about dressing up it was regarded as shallow. Had it been windmills it may have been a different matter.

Q: How do you view your future role as regent couple? The demands expected of you are different than those when your mother became regent?

The Crown Prince: "Yes, absolutely. The demands on the regent couple will constantly change. Every era has its own particular demands. My mother was only 32 and she was a woman, so back then there were very formidable demands made of her when she woke up one morning and was Queen. You may say that we benefit from the tradition and that we have been able to observe the impressive way my parents – and your parents-in-law, Mary – fulfill their role. We observe and absorb as much as we are able to."

(courtesy of DanishRoyalWatchers)

Sydney · January 01, 2008, 04:56:27 PM

I think it's fantastic that interviews like this one can be done to Royals. The question about Mary being too interested in fashion and being criticized for it, comes to show thare there is freedom of speach and freedom of the press.

Countessa · January 01, 2008, 06:50:26 PM

I also think this interview and photos with F&M was probably not the wish of Frederik. He is clearly uncomfortable in the spotlight and talking about his future role as King of Denmark. But in the end, I don't think the decision was up to him alone. That's the way it is. The monarchy is not a democracy. As Princess Caroline de Monaco once said, 'it's not about what you want to do, it's about what you have to do'.

Kelly B · January 02, 2008, 07:02:36 AM

And I thought this thread was about Fred and Mary's interview, anyway?

I agree that it felt like Fred was not comfortable in his answers at all. Fred has never been a very articulate speaker or seemed to embrace his role as future King. It felt, to me, that Mary was dominating and filling in for him somewhat on a few answers.

Public figures allowing the press into their home and advertising their marriage and home life has a pretty bad track record. I have flashes of Charles and Diana, the Clintons, the Kennedys, the Sarkozys --the list goes on. It seems the ones who keep their private lives compartmentalized seem to fare better. I tend to agree with the saying "do not let daylight in on magic".

Countessa · January 03, 2008, 12:32:44 AM

QuoteIs it customary for this couple to do such personal interviews at year-end? My first thought was this was a reaction to all the marriage trouble talk in the press?

They have not done an interview in several years if at all with a respected Danish newspaper and, because of it, were accused of not talking to the Danish media. There has been mounting pressure on the CP couple for something like this but the Villemann book probably had a lot to do with the PR offensive that yes, M&F are a happily married couple...

QuotePublic figures allowing the press into their home and advertising their marriage and home life has a pretty bad track record. I have flashes of Charles and Diana, the Clintons, the Kennedys, the Sarkozys --the list goes on. It seems the ones who keep their private lives compartmentalized seem to fare better. I tend to agree with the saying "do not let daylight in on magic".

I agree. M&F should be careful of that. But honestly, I don't think there will be another interview and article like this for a long while. Imo, they figured let's do this and then let it alone and go about their everyday life and duties.

dizzylizzy13 · January 03, 2008, 08:07:22 PM

Quote from: Kelly B on January 02, 2008, 07:02:36 AM
And I thought this thread was about Fred and Mary's interview, anyway?

Yes, it is ... so everybody please stay on topic and post longer references about other royal couples in the appropriate boards.

Thank you. :flowers: