Prince Christian's 18th birthday, October 15, 2023

[Muhler]

So representatives from Sydslesvig were included anyway?

Josephine sitting with father and Victoria.

Yes, they were, fortunately.

And yes, the youngest are seated next to a parent. So no kiddy-table.

 

[Tatiana Maria]

Yes, they were, fortunately.

How many? Were any other representatives of the Danish overseas diaspora included?

 

[Muhler]

Soo, the foreign royals were sat with these totally random teenagers? Wtf. This gala is not what I expected, sadly.

Congratulations on your first 1.000 posts.

Why not?
The royals are for the people, with the people.

Thank you for the explanation! I wondered whether the Danish court was practicing strict male-female alternation as the Swedish court does with its seating arrangements. (As for the gender-divided lotteries, the pedant in me wonders about the municipal hopefuls who are non-binary, but realistically I suppose they would have just entered one lottery or the other.)

I think they simply used the social security numbers. If the number end on an even number, it's a male. Uneven, female.

How many? Were any other representatives of the Danish overseas diaspora included?

Two, I believe.

No Danes overseas are represented.

 

[JGio]

I think foreign royals will enjoy the night, they knew what the gala was about and if they didn’t want to be surrounded by teenagers, they would have found an excuse and stayed home.
Most royals are teenagers/young adults themselves, and others like MC, Pavlos, the DRF have young adult teenage children themselves. They know what to talk about I suppose and how to enjoy the night.

Having studied in Copenhagen, I really could see myself there tonight haha but it’s okay, life brought me somewhere else. But am glad to see so many colleagues, young adults looking good and polite. This gave me hope in the future! [emoji253]

 

[Frelinghighness]

I like that they are sitting with Royals. Just think of all of the friends and relatives of those 200 young people who will be glued to every minute. Brilliant idea.

 

[LadyFinn]

Menu and music at the gala dinner
Menu og musik ved gallataffel til H.K.H. Prins Christians 18-års fødselsdag på Christiansborg Slot.html

Photos
TT gallery

Gallery
gala denemarken 2023 - Images _ Robin Utrecht _ Photoshelter.html

Estelle stjäl showen på prins Christians galaparty – se bilderna här! _*Svensk Dam

 

[Archduchess Zelia]

Soo, the foreign royals were sat with these totally random teenagers? Ingrid, a second in line is with the Queen but Crown Princesses Elisabeth and Amalia aren't. If things are going to be arranged due to blood bonds then the Scandinavians should remain in their own bubble, the Benelux royals should do the same.

This gala is not what I expected, sadly.

These are literally the least random Danish teenagers. Some are representatives of the Danish cities/realms and some are representatives of sports/arts Denmark excels in. Additionally, as far as I can tell, no royal is seated "alone" but in pairs.

"In their own bubble" Last time I checked, both Christian and Ingrid were "only" congratulated on social media by the Scandinavian royal families. Should that exclude the BeNeLux royals from being invited to Scandinavian royal gatherings? Of course not.

How did you want them to arrange the seating? For all royals to be seated together – away from the commoners? Would sort of defeat the purpose

Ingrid Alexandra sitting with QMII and Christian at the head table! That's a surprising arrangement but somehow makes sense though.

Absolutely what I thought. Christian and Ingrid have known each other since they were little children, they're in the same position, QMII gave Ingrid the Elephant on her 18th birthday, Harald gave Christian St. Olav on his 18th birthday, the DRF and NRF have such a special historical connection – it makes such good sense for Ingrid to be seated next to Christian.

 

[Adda]

These are literally the least random Danish teenagers. Some are representatives of the Danish cities/realms and some are representatives of sports/arts Denmark excels in. Additionally, as far as I can tell, no royal is seated "alone" but in pairs.

"In their own bubble" Last time I checked, both Christian and Ingrid were "only" congratulated on social media by the Scandinavian royal families. Should that exclude the BeNeLux royals from being invited to Scandinavian royal gatherings? Of course not.

Matter of fact is, Ingrid is NOT in the same position as Elisabeth and Amalia, Ingrid's FATHER is. The positioning makes it look as if Ingrid had a higher standing when it's the other way around. Preposterous.

Next time there's a gala in Belgium, Luxembourg or the Netherlands, are the Danish,Swedish and Norwegian royals supposed to be sat in a corner then? because the seats close to the Monarch are reserved for second and third cousins. FFS.

 

[W.Y.CII]

The sitting plan I assume besides those mentioned above: Mary + Vincent + Haakon, Daniel + Estelle + Marie + Henrik, Mette-Marit + Joachim + Athena, Amalia + Isabella?

 

[Saragli]

Matter of fact is, Ingrid is NOT in the same position as Elisabeth and Amalia, Ingrid's FATHER is. The positioning makes it look as if Ingrid had a higher standing when it's the other way around. Preposterous.

Next time there's a gala in Belgium, Luxembourg or the Netherlands, are the Danish,Swedish and Norwegian royals supposed to be sat in a corner then? because the seats close to the Monarch are reserved for second and third cousins. FFS.

Yes, but we must remember, despite the formality of this occasion, it is an 18 year old's birthday party to be shared with family members and peers of his country. The usual rules and formalities can be a little flexible for this event.

 

[Muhler]

That's a protocol issue.

The foreign royals went in according to seniority. Who has been the heir for the longest time. - And their children follow their parents.

Which is also the reason why Joachim's children seems to outrank Benedikte and Queen Anne-Marie. But that's because they follow Joachim, who outranks Benedikte and Queen Anne-Marie in regards to the succession.

So the heirs (and their families) walked in according to how long they have been heirs. That Estelle and Ingrid on their own are outranked by Elisabeth and Amalia does not matter in this case.

 

[Blog Real]

Sister, brother-in-law and nieces of Princess Mary present at Prince Christian's birthday celebrations:

https://www.billedbladet.dk/kongeli...christians-australske-familie-er-med-til-fest

Of Mary's brothers, only Jane is present and also only one of her nephews.
Mary's father is also not present. Does he currently live in Australia?

 

[Adda]

Doesn't John Donaldson live between London and Paris? It seems he is too frail.

 

[Muhler]

Frederik gave his speech and as a parent I can so much relate to what he said to Christian.

The speech confirmed the reports of Christian having a high degree of social empathy. That will come in useful!

It was also an eighteen-year-B-day speech to the invited and that I think is a very nice touch and something that won't make Frederik less popular among the young.

 

[Tatiana Maria]

I apologize in advance if someone has mentioned it already, but who is the man sitting on the left of the Queen? And who was the man (one of the 18-year-olds?) who gave a speech before Crown Prince Frederik?

 

[Muhler]

Christian's first official speech.

And my, he was nervous! But fortunately it was also a much less formal speech than the one Frederik and QMII gave when they turned 18.

His speech was personal and relevant for the 200 invited young and he declared his determination to serve his country to the best of his abilities - including making mistakes. And also admitting that he might not be the best, the most intelligent or the most accomplished in the room, but then he (they) will be good at other things.

It was a speech by a young man of his time.

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ADDED: I notice and liked that Mary gave Vincent a loving pad on the way back to her table.

 

[Mbruno]

Crown Prince Pavlos as Head of The Royal House of Greece has now been awarded the Order of the Elephant, so I guess Marie-Chantal wore her Greek sash the opposite way to suit his sash and be photo-friendly.

If she did, it is a big faux pas. There is a right way to wear the Order of the Redeemer and she cannot change it at will to match her husband in a photo.

 

[Archduchess Zelia]

He's such a good speaker! Clearly nervous but so composed! And what a good speech! Mary won Speech of the Year 2018 for her wonderful speech at Frederik's birthday... I wouldn't be surprised if we see Christian repeat the success this year.

And the end! Kisses from mum, squeeze from farmor and hug from dad

 

[Mbruno]

Soo, the foreign royals were sat with these totally random teenagers? Ingrid, a second in line is with the Queen but Crown Princesses Elisabeth and Amalia aren't. If things are going to be arranged due to blood bonds then the Scandinavians should remain in their own bubble, the Benelux royals should do the same.

This gala is not what I expected, sadly.

Elisabeth was in the army, and was/is treated as a normal student both at Atlantic College and at Oxford. I am pretty sure she is totally comfortable sitting with random teenagers.

On the other hand, the teens may feel uncomfortable sitting with two crown princesses wearing expensive jewelry and sashes. Or maybe not. Teens nowadays aren't as shy as my generation used to be.

 

[Archduchess Zelia]

Of Mary's brothers, only Jane is present and also only one of her nephews (...)

No nephews, but her two nieces – John's daughters – are there.

 

[Saragli]

I have no idea what Christian said but he came off as very personable during his speech. He was obviously quite nervous but I found the swaying back and forth and clearing his throat rather endearing. He reminds me of his mother, they both seem like very loving people.

 

[principessa]

Will Prince Christian now also attend incoming state visits?

 

[Blog Real]

What did Prince Christian say in his speech?

 

[Tatiana Maria]

His speech was personal and relevant for the 200 invited young and he declared his determination to serve his country to the best of his abilities - including making mistakes. And also admitting that he might not be the best, the most intelligent or the most accomplished in the room, but then he (they) will be good at other things.

I think that is a good sentiment: more democratic, in my opinion, than pretending that those who were fortunate enough to be born as heirs to thrones and groomed accordingly by their families' public relations specialists also happen to be the most brilliant, likeable, talented people of their generations.

I assume transcripts of the speeches will be published?

Prince Christian's body language while delivering the speech seemed much more casual (almost bouncing up and down) compared to his father's, or for that matter Princess Ingrid Alexandra or Princess Elisabeth during their speeches on their 18th birthday.

 

[Hans-Rickard]

Will Prince Christian now also attend incoming state visits?

I would guess not yet as they are on weekdays and he is still attending school…

Though i wouldn’t be surprised if he will attend the New Years Day Banquet

 

[Saragli]

Will Prince Christian now also attend incoming state visits?

We will have to see, but I believe it was mentioned in the documentary that he will start attending the state opening of parliament so perhaps he will.

 

[Muhler]

There will certainly be transcripts of the speeches - because there were subtitles.

I don't know whether the transcripts will be in English, but Google translate is good now and I believe it will only be a matter of days before the speeches are to be found on YouTube, with English subtitles.

 

[Saragli]

https://www.kongehuset.dk/taler/h-k...3-i-anledning-af-prinsens-18-aars-foedselsdag

It seems the speeches are already up on the official website.

 

[Archduchess Zelia]

Matter of fact is, Ingrid is NOT in the same position as Elisabeth and Amalia, Ingrid's FATHER is. The positioning makes it look as if Ingrid had a higher standing when it's the other way around. Preposterous.

Next time there's a gala in Belgium, Luxembourg or the Netherlands, are the Danish,Swedish and Norwegian royals supposed to be sat in a corner then? because the seats close to the Monarch are reserved for second and third cousins. FFS.

No one said Ingrid is in the same position as Elisabeth and Amalia. But she is in the same position as Christian. Which makes the seating perfectly logical.

I can only repeat my question, how would you have arranged the seating then? A long table for the main character cool was not possible with the amount of people they have invited. Would you have booted the commoners in favour of the heirs? Then what's the point of inviting them?

While equating Elisabeth being sat with Felix (who speaks French) and Amalia being sat with Isabella (who she knows) to being "sat in the corner" is a bit of an over-exaggeration, I'd say the DRF is no stranger to being victims of protocol errors. The image of QMII being stood for some 20 minutes in a doorway to allow the likes of Lady Amelia Windsor to take precedence over her while departing the Service of Thanksgiving for the DoE is still marred into my brain

 

[Adda]

I can only repeat my question, how would you have arranged the seating then? A long table for the main character was not possible with the amount of people they have invited. Would you have booted the commoners in favour of the heirs? Then what's the point of inviting them?

Who's talking about booting the commoners? Who's over-exaggerating now? Instead of inviting 200 teens they could have invited 100 so that a long table could have been arranged, like it has been done so many times before .