London Olympics: Assorted Bits and Videos of Derf and Nathalie (with Horse Digby): Sportif!

A few Olympics bits and pieces here featuring a royal Danish athlete (Nathalie zu Sayn-Wittgenstein) and one royal supporter (Freddles). Tonight there is a reception on board the Dannebrog for Danish and British big-wigs and Mary promises to be present! Joy.

Video of Nathalie and Digby: On Sport

You can see Nathalie marching into the Olympic Stadium with Team Denmark in this photie (to the viewer's left of the Denmark sign, looking to the crowd on her right):

Video of Freddles: On Sport


Interesting bit of target practice from Derfie. Who's face was pinned above the body target, mmm?

"Now this is fantasising! One pull of the trigger and ka-blooey! No more criticism!"

Daisy's back in town and ready to cheer on the cyclists with Freddles handing out medals, including to MoreMore's Aussie sausage factory team, ahem. Yrma had to be upset to miss that and help Frex deliver medals!

Fred gave a lot of support to the sailing silver medalist (Finn dinghy category) from Denmark, Jonas Høgh-Christensen, including this man hug on the docks.

Daisy, Benedikte and Frex went over to the Aquatics Centre after watching cycling and saw some swimming with the Danish athletes.

On Sunday, Daisy and Benedikte went to church at St. Katherine's, the Danish Church in England, before hitting the badminton events. Gee, strange. No sign of the Derf man in church.

 

Photos: Jesper Sunesen, Billed Bladet/Kongehuset.dk

Yrma's Jumped the Shark: Breakdown Dead Ahead

Madam MoreMore look like shite, and so much older than a forty year old woman whom we are led to believe is in a fulfilled marriage with a balanced family life and all the money and privileges that life as a barely working crown princess offer. The breakdown is showing and the few days between leaving London and popping up with her oldest kids has allowed her too much time to let fears of looking older and losing Fred to a blonde for a night take a hold of her psyche and show in her appearance.

Try also to spot the royal children. Although this is about the most calm and normal Izzy's and Xian's faces have looked in...forever?...you are hard pressed to find them. What a sad, gray contrast to the happy, thrilled faces of all the little sprites who surround the three royals. Royal children shouldn't be the most blonde with the biggest hairbows or the best clothes, but of all children in the world, they should not be destined to reflect any strangeness in their home life - the stresses and strains that are typically more middle class concerns.

Yrma: advice? Stop fighting it. You've spent your whole life caring far too much about what other people think, defining yourself by what men think of you, what cars you drive and your material possessions. Those things don't matter. You're an empty shell. Deal with it and focus on the proper care and development of the four munchkins you made. Erase Yehudi's phone number; you don't need Miracle Triplets. Don't worry about your husband; you can't control him. Focus on making your life meaningful by raising great kids and offering yourself to your country (gut check: it's Denmark).

Theme song: YouTube

No London For the Schackenborgs: No Problem! This Crew Makes Their Own Fun

I see you, James Wessex, and raise you in style points.

The Schackenborgs may have to stay in Denmark so that Joachim can be regent while Daisy and Derf are away, but that is no problem for this easy-going happy family. No pouting that they don't get seats to prime Olympics events. No distracting press antics to keep the focus off London. Just a happy family enjoying an outing together at the Copenhagen Grand Prix based on Far's favourite sport and their young son's burgeoning curiosity. No baby Maserati for lille Henrik as is the case for Xian (with matching cufflinks!). It is enough to let Henrik relate appropriately to the adult world as a child should: to not shrink it down to his level, but to carefully help him understand the awe and respect it engenders. Much more responsible with no less fun!

Photo Gallery: BT

Photo Gallery: Pure People

"No gargoyle genes here!"

London Olympics: Whither La Comtesse de Monpezat? While Yrma Goes Home to Break Down, The Show Goes On!

"She may not be blonde, but she's got big knockers! Party time in London Town!"

Mary is so predictable. Leaves London just as all the horsey events became inevitable must-attends with all the royal cousins cheering on their various relations (Zara Phillips for Team GB; Nathalie Berleburg for Team Danmark). Mary is not a natural horsewoman despite all her early PR to this effect. Does she not realise that the video of a fellow Aussie pony club rider is still out there with the woman calling Mary a snob?

No problem for the Danish royals in London for whom the show must go on! There is something in the British water it seems that keeps these folks working for more than two or three days in a row. Noice! Taking on duties that would earn the respect of their British cousins is a good thing for them, and for Danish athletes who absolutely should feel this support from their monarch. (A quiet nod and gold medal to Princess Benedikte who has really set the bar high for royal Danish Olympic support; silver to Freddles.) No Aussie flag pins for this crowd!

Daisy, Benedikte and Derfie hosted a London 2012 reception Saturday night at the Natural History Museum for all Danish athletes, including some proud medalists. Good work. This wasn't done in Beijing, Athens, or Sydney. Moral to the story? Kick the bridge-party-corner-pouter off the guestlist and have a blast!

Article: Nord Jyske

Photo Gallery: Sporten

Medal Winners Hailed at Danish Olympic Reception

North Jutland's own Fie Udby and the other Danish medalists were celebrated by, among others, the royal family on Saturday evening.

ENGLAND: The North Jutland rower Fie Udby and the other Danish medalists were at the centre of attention Saturday evening when the Danish Olympic reception was held at the Natural History Museum. The royal family with Queen Margrethe at the head, representatives from the Danish Sports Confederation, and many Danish Olympics participants, managers and coaches attended the reception where the participants for once dressed up in stylish clothes instead of jogging pants and t-shirts. Queen Margrethe praised the participants for their great efforts, and the Crown Prince stated that it was nice to be a Dane in London at the moment. Anders Golding from Moseby should also have been celebrated if he had been present in London. But the silver medalist had already gone home and did not attend the reception.

Even Daisy is feeling carefree with Yrma out of town.

"Hej, Frede! No Mary tonight, eh?"

Photos: Jesper Sunesen, Billed Bladet/Kongehuset.dk

The Anti-Mary: Princess Benedikte Does Official Duties While in England for Olympics and Isn't Afraid to Hang With British Royals

"Just stay away from Daisy's eldest's wife. Look for the downmarket version of your niece Kate: orange hair extensions, uneven spray tan, wonky eye. Try not to make eye contact with it. I've already warned your mother-in-law."

Wha!? A Danish princess carrying out official duties while in another country, taking advantage of her visit to cheer on her daughter during Olympic dressage competitions? Kudos to the team of secretaries and schedulers who pulled off a logistics coup. No flying back and forth between London and Copenhagen for this dutiful one. On days when daughter Nathalie zu Sayn-Wittgenstein-Berleburg is not competing for Team Denmark, Benedikte actually gets down to business. Noice!

Of course, it helps that she was able to underscore her relationship to Britain's Queen Victoria, whose wedding shoes her great-great-grandaughter saw on view at the Northampton Museum of Art (Benedikte even made a donation of a pair of her own shoes to their impressive if slightly odd Shoe Collection). This is something that Yrma cannot do - either claim royal heritage to be of interest to the Brits, nor give up a pair of shoes. Benedikte also toured the Carlsberg factory and The Guildhall with Danish trade and business representatives.

Earlier, Benedikte had been present - as she has regularly - at the horsey events. She was even chatting with The Countess of Wessex and her two adorable children Louise and James. Nice to see distant cousins keeping up relations. Perhaps Louise would be a wonderful partner to grandson Richard and little Ingrid would be a wonderful Viscountess Severn one day. Pity we won't be able to make such matches with the Danish main line, "unfortunate gene cocktail" and all. (Yehudi will never hear the end of it from Yrms.)

Article and Video: Northampton Chronicle

Danish Princess Visits Northampton

Princess Benedikte of Denmark gave Northampton the royal seal of approval during a visit to promote Danish businesses in the town.

The Princess, who last came to Northampton in 1974 to open the newly-built Carlsberg Brewery, visited the town again today and was given a tour of the Northampton Museum and Art Gallery where she viewed wedding shoes worn by Queen Victoria, her great-great-grandmother. Joined by Councillor David Mackintosh, leader of Northampton Borough Council, and the town’s two MPs, Michael Ellis and Brian Binley, the Princess then met representatives from Danish businesses in the town including Carlsberg, Opus Energy, Gemco, DKL Marketing and Nordjysk Eldhandel.

Laura Thorborg, a member of the Danish trade council who accompanied the Princess, said: “This is the Princess’s second visit and she is delighted to see all the development that is happening in the town. Carlsberg has plans to expand its business in the town and this is down to the welcoming atmosphere in Northampton and the availability of skilled workforce.” Lisse Skeppstam, of DKL Ltd, based in Moulton Park, said: “I feel very honoured that the princess is visiting Northampton. I think it is great publicity for the town and will encourage other Danish businesses to come here.”
The leader of Northampton Borough Council hailed the “very positive” relationship between Northampton and Denmark during an address to Princess Benedikte. Councillor Mackintosh said: “Our cultural and economic links with Denmark are a shining example of what we have to offer, and what we are working to achieve.” Conservative MP for Northampton South Brian Binley said the visit of Princess Benedikte would help increase the image of the town as a global centre for businesses to be based.

London Olympics: Sportif!: Derfie a New Man With Mary Back In Denmark

Why their PR team can't make the appropriate correctives on thissie is very strange indeed, but here's the truth: Derf boy is sooooooooooooo much happier and more relaxed when his wife is away. Not just across the room, but totally out of sight and outside of a zone more akin to that of a restraining order. (Hmm, I wonder if he's ever initiated such a thing?)

Freddles was in fine form today as he handed out the medals to the top three teams from the lightweight men's four rowing race. The Danish foursome won bronze, with Britain winning silver and South Africa winning gold. Derfie loves doing important things, and he's so happy with the fruits of his IOC victory, but it is hard to escape his relief that Madam MoreMore is back in Denmark for a few days to "retrieve the children" (who always flew around the world previously with their team of nannies) which is most likely code for "pick up new hair extensions and plump up with more Juvederm in order to look more like Kate and timed to miss the eventing and dressage competitions" since la Comtesse de Monpezat is not in any way shape or form a horsewoman and cannot risk being found out by the British royal family who are out en masse for Zara Phillips. Congratties on the silver medal, Team GB!

Article: JV

The Crown Prince's Goosebumps Congratulated the Bronze Foursome

His Royal Highness Crown Prince Frederik presented the medals to the men's lightweight quad rowers, and thus he had the pleasure of hanging bronze medals around the necks of the crew of the Danish medal boat. And it was a great experience for the Danish heir to the throne.

"It's something quite special. You get goose bumps from it when you give out medals. It's great being so close - and close to the medals", laughing Crown Prince Frederik as sporten.dk meet him after the medal ceremony.

"It's a great experience to be allowed to present medals at the Summer Olympics (he had previously presented with medals at a Winter Olympics -ed.) And then to our "Golden Four", who then turned into our "Bronze Four" on the stand now, which made us still medal worthy. It is special because it is these four who have achieved such a good list of records", says the Crown Prince.

Although the Danish boat was leading as a gold medal candidate, there was no disappointment to track with Crown Prince Frederik with the bronze medals.

"I've worked it out, and now we have a medal, so that's nice. It's unique. This is a good place to get a medal, because England and Australia already have a proud tradition in this area", says the Crown Prince before he broke the spontaneous press session and hurried on to Wimbledon, where he will watch Caroline Wozniacki's match against Serena Williams.

Undo edits

Princess Marie Opens International Theatre Festival Near Gråsten: No Fussiness Here!

Poor Marie. Still completing duties while her husband is regent and the rest of the family is off on a holiday in London to watch the Olympics from VIP seats, Marie is clearly as present and pretty as possible given how tired she must be. Having no full time nanny while trying to mother a three year old and a possibly still breastfeeding baby is an experience no one named Mary Donaldson would dare try. Madam is too busy busking for inclusion on Vanity Fair's Most Overexposed Best Dressed List, trying to get into the Daily Mail for her stunning creepy ressemblence to Kate Middleton, becoming a celebrity in Australia by passive-aggressively celebrating the Aussies wearing the flag pin while ostensably cheering for Denmark at the Games, and discussing the Miracle Triplets with Yehudi and budgeting their required 6 more (blonde, according to Derf) nannies. Marie gets points for keeping it real. Low budget, low maintenance and high attention to the care, feeding and proper development of young kids, plus throw in a few official engagements? Brava, madame!

Photo Gallery: Dinby

Article and video of Marie's speech (in English): TV Syd

Theatre Festival in Sønderborg

Princess Marie arrived Tuesday evening at Sønderborg Castle, where she opened the seventh annual amateur theatre festival NEATA. National Association for the dramatic company, together with the Municipality of Sønderborg were the organisers of this festival that draws more than 200 amateur-people from Scandinavia, the Baltics and the rest of Europe at Sønderborg.

Here, 12 theatre groups from different countries participate in workshops and some of their performances around the scenes in the city. The theme in Sønderborg is "Culture across borders - Theatre of borders", inspired by Sønderborg's ambition to become the European Capital of Culture 2017, with a vision to create Europe's leading culture region across national borders.