Prince Joachim and Princess Marie visit Varde’s military school

On Wednesday, Prince Joachim and Princess Marie carried out their first official joint engagement since the end of their summer holidays. They were in Varde to visit Haerens Sergentskole, a military school.

Haerens Sergentskole was celebrating its 108th birthday with a full military parade. Prince Joachim attended in his quality of Colonel in the Reserve of the Army but also as a former student! Indeed, this year is also the 30th anniversary of Prince Joachim’s graduation from Haerens Sergentskole.

30 years later, it is now the turn of Prince Joachim’s eldest son Prince Nikolai to be a student of Haerens Sergentskole. Indeed, he started his two-year studies on August 1st. Prince Nikolai took part in the parade but as promised by the Court and the school, he was treated like any regular student. It must have been special for both Joachim and Nikolai when Joachim reviewed the troops and Nikolai was in the first row.

When asked by Billed-Bladet how she felt about seeing her stepson in uniform for the first time, Princess Marie said : “It was touching. We were very proud.”

Prince Joachim made a personal speech at the event, recalling his time as a student at the school during the Cold War but also giving some advice for the current student: “The eight months at school did something to us. We learned to take and bear responsibility – not just for ourselves but also for others. It is not necessarily something that is easy for a young man under the age of 20. […]It’s not wrong to fail here. We all make mistakes. But those who make the difference are those who develop and learn from their mistakes”

Princess Marie wore a new outfit for this very special but serious event. She debuted a new navy Emporio Armani blazer. Emporio Armani (and Armani in general) is definitely one of Marie’s favorite brands so it is no surprise that after a short break from all things Armani (she wore a lot of Ganni and MICHAEL Michael Kors instead), she would go back to the brand.

Marie’s new dress is the ‘Dinoma’ watercolor floral sheath dress by Hugo Boss (with thanks to Katrina for the find). The ‘Dinoma’ dress is also owned by Queen Letizia of Spain in two different prints.

Marie accessorized with her By Malene Birger navy suede and leather d’Orsay pumps and her Longchamp x Kate Moss matching clutch. The brooch she wore on her jacket is reportedly a gift from Queen Margrethe after the birth of Princess Athena in 2012. Marie first wore it at Athena’s christening.