Princess Marie is on the cover of Danish magazine ‘Out & About’ for their December issue ! Out & About is a LGBTQ magazine. I translated the full interview below.
The 1st of December is World AIDS Day, which is marked worldwide. In Copenhagen, the attention is especially directed at Gammeltorv, where the Positivgruppen lights 2000 candles in memory of the people in Denmark who are dead of AIDS. An important guest at the lightning is Her Royal Highness Princess Marie.
“There is a very special mood, with a mixture of sadness and hope: one can express their respect for those who are no longer here. But at the same time there is also a positive mood of hope because of the advances in HIV treatment” says Princess Marie
On World AIDS Day six years ago, Princess Marie became Patron of AIDS-Fondet.
“This is a very important cause. HIV is a virus that has killed millions of people worldwide and still affects many people. Therefore, I am pleased to help focus on AIDS-Fondet’s work and I really want to help break down the prejudices that make so many HIV-infected people live in loneliness and fear of other people’s reactions.
I remember i met an HIV positive young woman, who often finds that people do not want to touch her and kiss her. I was naturally sad to hear that it was her life and it surprised me too. It shows that we have a big informative work to do – even here in Denmark “
The royal shoulder clap from Princess Marie has had a positive impact on both Preben Bakbo Sloth and Jakob Hedegaard. They told Out & About that it helped their parents break down the taboo about their sons’s HIV diagnosis: The HIV prize offered by Princess Marie made it easier for parents to start telling friends that their son is HIV positive.
“You don’t always know what differences you can make. Of course, I’m doing it with my heart when I’m out with AIDS-Fondet. But I’m also happy to hear when it matters to other people.”
The princess also enjoys the many talks she has had with volunteers in the AIDS Fund and other HIV organizations.
“I am also a volunteer – and I am very proud to be the Patron of AIDS-Fondet.”
In September, Princess Marie, spoke at a charity reception for the ‘A Generation Without HIV’ campaign. This reception raised $ 150,000 to prevent maternal childhood infections in Ethiopia.
“It’s a subject that really affects me. You almost can not imagine how terrible it is for a mother to hear: ” You’ve infected your child with HIV”. I can not bear the idea that a child is born with HIV when we know how to avoid it with the right treatment. Therefore, we should continue to work for more people to gain access to this treatment.”
In Denmark, gay and bisexual men are the ones who are the most infected with HIV.
“I have met many HIV-infected people, and I have been privileged to be allowed to hear their stories,” says Princess Marie.
The princess did not want to go into the personal stories that have impressed her.
“Those stories I keep for myself by respect for the people who told me. It is not easy for them to talk about, with the prejudices that are about HIV. Some HIV-infected people do not tell their stories to their closest family.
It is very important for me that we fight to remove the irrational fear of HIV and to fight prejudice and stigmatization against people with HIV. Prejudice and discrimination comes from people’s ignorance and insecurity, and it affects more and more different people; It’s not just sexual orientation, but religion, color and nationality. ”
“In fact, that was not the first time I’ve joined a pride. Before I became a princess, I’ve participated in many pride parades. The first was when I lived in New York and I was around 18-20 years old old.I was very proud to support the freedom to be yourself . I have always found that diversity makes the world better.‘
Princess Marie laughs as Out & About asks if the Itinerary of the Pride from Frederiksberg Townhouse to Kobenhavn Town Hall was not too long.
“No, it’s not too long. It’s a nice trip and a good party with amazing atmosphere and lots of positive people,” the Princess says about her participation in Copenhagen Pride.
As the interview is almost finished, Princess Marie herself brings the topic of the 2021 World Pride which will take place in Copenhagen and Denmark.
“I’m very glad that we will be for WorldPride in 2021. It will be really exciting.
Denmark can do a lot for the world and we already do a lot. We are a country of freedom and democracy, and here gays can get married. When we are host to a major event like WorldPride, we can even pave the world with blissful values. We live in a globalized world, and we are called upon to get to know each other, talk together and travel around the world to accept each other’s differences.”
For this interview , Princess Marie wore her Ganni top first worn in 2015 with her Christine Hvelplund earrings and what looks like a new coat or jacket.
Princess Marie's Closet 