Your go-to source for Princess Marie of Denmark's family, work and fashion
Prince Joachim gave a big interview to Billed-Bladet for his 50th birthday talking about his family, his work, his birthday and their future move to Paris this summer. Read my full translation below.
As announced last week, Prince Nikolai is on the cover on Vogue Ukraine’s Men Spring 2019 Issue. Here is a translation of his interview where he gives facts about himself:
As Patron of the 2018 World Food Summit – which she will officially open on Thursday- Princess Marie was a guest on Aftenshowet, Denmark’s biggest evening show, on Monday evening.
You can watch the twelve-minutes interview here. I tried to translate as much as I could based on the Danish subtitles (please credit me if you use the translation elsewhere).
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Interviewer: Now I welcome Princess Marie! We must talk about the fight against food waste on the occasion of the World Food Summit in Copenhagen. You will give the opening speech , what is your main message ?
Marie: There are more than one message but one of the most important is that we can all make a difference if we have the right knowledge. It is important to teach our children and young people about healthy and good food. Another important message is that we need to think about our planet. Food waste is a waste of important resources that are already limited. The production of food costs a lot of the environment so we should at least eat it! Now in Denmark we became really aware of food waste and we are the pioneer country in this area. There are initiatives and organizations who are really involved in the fight against food waste. Danes and danish companies really want to focus on this.
I: So you are saying that we are well in our way but that there is still a lot to do. Statistics show that 700000 tons of food are thrown out annually in Denmark. When did you notice that this was a big problem in Denmark?
M: Unfortunately, it’s a problem throughout the western world. There are some terrible numbers. We produce and consume too much. We must address that.
I: We should see examples of your commitment
[ a clip about Marie is shown
“A Princess with a passion. It’s the fight against food waste. It’s one matter that Princess Marie has been fighting for years. Princess Marie is the Patron of the World Food Summit.
It was the love of this man [Prince Joachim, a clip from the engagement announcement is shown] that bought the Princess to Denmark ten years ago.
In May 2008 took place the wedding of Princess Marie and Prince Joachim. In the years since her wedding , the Princess has been involved in this important cause. In 2014, she went to Ethiopia as Patron of DanChurchAid to focus on hunger and malnutrition. This year she received ten children from Helsingor in her own private home to have lunch off so-called surplus food. Moreover, the Princess takes part in openings of stores fighting to avoid food waste.’ ]
I: I will return to why your heart is close to this cause. That’s something you got from your childhood. But you are committed to a lot of causes like AIDS-Fondet, the Association for Epilepsy and DanChurchAid. When did it became important for you to engage in these topics that are also close to the Danes’s hearts ?
M: It was important to contribute to society and take on tasks which helped to lift Denmark and of course help people in need. Most importantly, I’m using my heart in what I do. That way, I am stronger. Fortunately, there are many people fighting for these causes in Denmark so you get inspired very quickly.
I: Do you feel that the Danes have had high expectations about your contribution ?
M: Yes, but they are reasonable expectations. I can use my position to raise awareness about important causes and thus make a difference so that’s a natural expectation from them.
I: Have you felt pressured by that ?
M: No, I feel like it is as a huge opportunity not as a requirement.
I: You said you could use your position to raise awareness about important causes. As a Princess, you are like a spoke-person but there is many causes to choose from but with food waste, it comes from your childhood right ?
M: It’s deep in me and food is a huge part of French culture – and of course also of the Danish culture- and although food waste is reduced , we still thrown away 700000 tons annually in Denmark like you said but there are 800 million people who are starving. These are terrible numbers and it is an important cause to support.
I: How was avoiding food waste in your childhood home ?
M: It was a natural development in my upbringing. We had great respect for food and I remember clearly the hunger disaster in Ethiopia in the 80s and the terrible pictures of the very thin children. I was very shocked and tried to never waste food.
I: Is it bad that consumers in our part of the world are wasting food while others are having a hard time and are starving ?
M: Yes, it’s the odd distribution of food in the world that I struggle to understand. We can all make a difference, it’s not that hard.
I: We can do that in very real ways in our own homes but is it also important for you to do it in your own home ?
M: Yes, it’s very important to me to teach my children about it. They are very curious and they want to contribute. They are proud when they do something good. They are very interested. It’s not a fight, it’s fun.
I: Do you actually help your children understand the perspective of doing something good in the world ?
M: They do not understand it all but they do understand that they are doing something good for the world. They listen to me telling them about my travels with DanChurchAid and about the children I met and they ask many questions so they end up understanding.
I: We have a few questions for you from the Danes because too many would like to do better in their everyday lives. Are you ready to answer a few questions ?
M: Of course.
1st question : With children in the house, I often end up with leftovers after dinner. What helps the Princess to make leftovers more exciting ?
M: That’s a good question, I’m not the best cook but I do my best. There are many different ways , for example to add cheese or use different spices like coriander, soy, lemon and ginger. Make it a little different. A new taste, a new dish!
I: That may be something that we need think about to give it a different taste!
M: Yes, adding spices do a lot!
I: It’s a simple and good trick! Do you bring your children into the kitchen?
M: Yes, I do ! They do not always bother but they like to be around. It’s also a great way to teach them about healthy foods and what to do if a vegetable isn’t entirely fresh , you can cut a part of it off for example.
I: Are you children willing to eat everything ?
M: Well, they try! It’s important that they try! I am not too strict but it’s important that they at least taste it.
I: Most parents may recognize that having children in the kitchen does something relative to the extent of they willingness to try.
M: Yes, it gets them more motivated.
I: We have another question.
2nd question: Do you also cut the remoulade off and use all the content of the fridge, and turn yoghurts around to avoid food waste?
M: Yes, almost everything in the fridge will be used up, we try to use everything. We also have a dog who likes to eat what’s left!
I: We have one more question.
3rd question: Does your Royal Highness have any tip to avoid food waste whether you’re single or a family?
M: It is important to think sensibly when shopping. One has to know what is already in their fridge, imagine meals and avoid impulsive purchases. You must also remember how many you are and not buy more than necessary. It is also possible to use smaller plates.
I: Does that work?
M: Yes,and I prefer to serve twice rather than throwing out. At least for the children.
I: Do you think a few meals in advance? So that you can use everything ?
M:We usually eat everything because I have very hungry children and a very hungry husband and we try to think sensibly.
I: Thank you for your answers! And all the best for the World Food Summit.
M: Thank you so much, thank you!
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For this tv appearance, Princess Marie debuted a new dress by Goat Fashion. She chose the Gaynor dress in blush. It is still available here.
She paired it with her Jimmy Choo ‘Romy’ suede pumps and her Christine Hvelplund ring.
Princess Marie gave an interview to Ekstra Bladet’s journalist Thomas Treo about Tonder Festival, of which Marie is Patron. She will visit the festival on Friday. Here is my translation of it (please credit me if you repost this translation elsewhere)
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The royal beauty met with Extra Bladet’s journalist at Amalienborg for a unique rendezvous about music.
A tropical rainforest has just soaked the tourists at Amalienborg Castle, but the air is still heavy, and in the Princess’s workroom on the ground floor in Christian VIII’s palace it feels like someone roasts cocks.
One of the court’s service people brews afternoon coffee – it tastes exquisite – while Marie speaks of the recent Smukfest Festival, where Crown Prince Frederik was a surprise guest.
Despite high heels, Her Royal Highness is not high. She is ‘petite’, appealing and flirting discreetly which add to her effortless French elegance.
In short, Marie Agathe Odile’s presence does not help the temperature to fall in the royal room where she has invited a conversation about her work as Patron of the Tønder Festival, which starts on Thursday.
Vodka and juice from the bottle
The 42-year-old Parisian brunette puts the royal coffee in one of Arne Jacobsen’s famous leather eggs, and as soon as she is addressed with ‘De’(formal ‘you’ in Danish), she says that you should say ‘du’, which is immediately liberating, but also a little annoying when you have practiced a couple of days in saying ‘De, Dem, Deres’
The result will be a full-blend of the two ‘you’, which Marie ignores in a chic manner.
The Princess starts by interviewing the interviewer about the recent Smukfest, which she, like René Dif, calls the ‘Smukfestival’ (smuk=beautiful)
Marie: Why is it called the Smukfestival? Is it because that’s clean?
Thomas: Before that, it was called the Skanderborg Festival, but their slogan was ‘Denmark’s most beautiful festival’. It takes place in a beautiful beech forest.
M: Ah, I think the festival seems impressive. Especially the mood. I have heard that there is a different relationship with the Roskilde Festival.
“Yes, very different,” says Lene Balleby, communications director of the royal house, who says she has visited Smukfest, where she drank vodka and juice from the bottle.
An important event
Balleby then leaves the Princess alone with the press, but she assures Marie that the help is ready right behind the door if there should be something.
On the table with the coffee cups is a small pile of books and magazines. At the top of the stack is the Euroman issue with Marie’s stepson Prince Nikolai on the cover. She asks the journalist if that’s something he has put there. It is not. The Princess moves the magazine to her desk.
T: How did you become Patron of the Tønder Festival?
M: Of course, because we lived in Møgeltønder, and the festival is a very important event for the local area. It is Northern Europe’s biggest festival for folk music and country. There is an incredibly good atmosphere and it is truly a unique festival of jam sessions and talented singers. I like the music and that the audience is so close to the festival. I have been there every year except last year when I could not attend.
T: Are you going to Tønder again this year?
M: Yes, I will. Of course. I look forward to it. Are you coming? Do you like country?
T: Yes, I am. I am very excited about country.
– Wait to see his clothes! interrupt the photographer.
M: ‘I know‘, but one should never ‘judge a book by its cover‘, the Princess smiles.
T: Is country a genre that interests you?
M: I do not know so much about the genre, even though I have lived in the United States for many years. But I have learned a lot about different instruments that I had never heard of, and I actually learned to love it. Especially the voices. This year there will be one called …. No, I can not remember it. Yes, Tami Neilson. She is absolutely amazing!
Love Queen and Prince
T: What kind of genres do you like most?
M: I have heard different genres in different periods of my life. I grew up with two big brothers who introduced me to music and we heard Supertramp, The Doors, The Rolling Stones, Queen, Prince, and Santana. That kind of rock and pop. When I was 17, I moved to New York, and I became quite fascinated by electronic music. House, techno and drum N bass. It was so different. And the sounds and DJ’s were really impressive.
T: That’s funny. I have listened to Daft Punk this morning …
M: Uh, that’s French. I loooove Daft Punk. I have heard them so many times. But I also like rap and blues.
T: Can not you convince Daft Punk to give a concert in Denmark? They never played here.
M: ‘Really?’. I saw them in London. But it’s been a long time.
T: France is strong in that genre. There is also Air (French band)
M: Yes, I love Air.
T: Did you see them in Tivoli a couple of years ago?
M: Were they in Tivoli ?! I did not know. How can a person who loves country music also like electronic music?
T: I like many different genres, and I review all kinds of music so I have to be broadly oriented.
M: Okay, of course.
Absolutely ordinary Marie
Marie is good at Danish, but the multilingual princess likes to throw an English phrase into her sentences, and it will also become a charming ‘voilà!’ Every now and then.
She is welcoming but also determined. If you innocently try to blow up the interview’s so-called questionnaire about festivals and music, she answers briefly and sharply with a glance that cannot be misunderstood.
After about 20 minutes, she signals that the conversation is over, with a whack on the journalist’s thigh.
T: We have incredibly many festivals in Denmark. Did it come as a surprise to you when you moved here?
M: Yes, it’s very unique. Denmark is a true festival land. There is an incredibly strong tradition for music festivals here in Denmark. I think it’s great, and I think that the Danish coziness is very important. At the festivals, one can truly experience the Danish coziness between generations. This is not the same in other countries. People really gather together at a festival.
T: Does it say anything about the Danes as people?
M: Yes it does! The Danes like to be together. And they like music.
T: If you were a so-called plain person…
M: I am! (she laughs)
T: If you were not royal, could you imagine going to the festival and sleeping in a tent?
M: Yes of course. I have to experience that with my children. If they want. I have not tried it, but I would like to. You should never say never. ‘Why not?’.
The Princess listen to music
T: Did you grow up with music in your childhood home?
M: I have always had music in my home You get the energy of the music and I love to dance. I like rhythms. Also the Latin rhythms. But I also use music to calm down. I do not even play an instrument. Just a little piano. I love much of the old French songs. Serge Gainsbourg, Charles Aznavour, Édith Piaf. They give a mood that I love in my home.
T: Did you see Charlotte Gainsbourg coming to Copenhagen?
M: Yes?! But was she not at Roskilde?
T: Yes, but now she is in Store Vega in December.
M: Is that right? Well. Thanks. It is cozy. I think it’s good she’s interested in coming here to play. There is a ‘good reputation’ in Denmark. I think people like to play in Denmark. I have heard that at least. Here is a good atmosphere at the concerts.
T: You were with Prince Joachim at the Park of The Rolling Stones last year. Did you enjoy the concert?
M: I have seen them maybe six times. The first time was in New York. I think they are absolutely amazing. They are the same as they have always been. They are not getting older, and they are as good now as they were. It was a big experience!
T: Can you, Prince Joachim and the children agree on what to listen to at home?”
M: They listen to my music! (she laughs)
T: Are you the one who decides?
M: It’s not me who decides, but it’s me who has the music. My husband does not have an iPhone with music and everything there. He does not have it. It’s just not him.
Congratulations to Lukas Graham
T: So you might be the more technologically interested? Do you have Spotify?
M: Completely! I have it all. I love technology. It has always been like that. At home, we hear a lot of Danish music. Also on the radio when we drive. We use music in our everyday life. It gives a good mood, right? Why not just turn on the radio? You know. Are you going to Tønder?
T: Yes, I will.
M: Ah, so I’ll see you there. I’ll wave! Who are you listening to? There are so many new names that are absolutely amazing. Will Lukas Graham come again?
T: Yes, he does.
M: He started there, I think. His parents come from Tønder, right? No, from Canada!
T: His father was Irish and interested in folk music. He brought Luke to Tønder during his childhood.
M: Ah, Irishman. There are many of them there. You can hear that in Lukas Graham’s voice. It is quite unique. I am excited about him. I have heard him at Tønder Festival before.
T: Are your children interested in ‘Frozen’ and that kind of music. Or are they not near Spotify at all?
M: My children do not hear children’s music very much. Athena likes a rhythm like her mother. And she listens to what I play. But when they are in their rooms, and they are alone, I’m sure they listen to … We also sing children’s songs in the evening, but otherwise, it’s not children’s songs you hear in the house. But they are still small. The two big ones change music all the time. I’m not sure what they’re listening to.
T: Is it important to you that the children are exposed to French music and culture?
M: Of course! At least for the culture. But music is a great way to learn the culture.
An international Princess
T: Do you feel that being born in France created difficulties understanding Danish culture and appreciate it?
M: Not at all. Not at all.
T: It also seems as if you have truly taken the Danish culture to you.
M: Of course I’m from France, but I have lived many years abroad and I’m not so French. I am international. And Danish. But I love different cultures, and I’m good where I am.
T: You seem culturally curious.
M: Yes I am. A lot. I think it’s a big part of one’s development to be open. It is so important to get to know other cultures. (Marie said ‘at lære at kende andre kulturer’ but then she corrects herself ‘At lære andre kulturer at kende’. She said she thought of her Danish teacher before correcting herself)
The Princess poses in a short photo session. She rushes a bit because she has to pick up the children.
Marie, however, takes time to follow Ekstra Bladet to the door, and it looks as though she just looks flashy with her right eye.
However, it may have been a mirage due to the heat.
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For this interview (if you ask me, the article was badly written but I didn’t expect very much from Ekstra Bladet) and photoshoot, Marie wore her Ganni top with her Tod’s yellow wedges and her Christine Hvelplund ‘H’ and ‘A’ necklace.
Today, Princess Marie was in Odense to visit the H.C Andersen Children Hospital. Princess Marie works closely with the hospital since 2013 and she makes a lot of visits each year, the latest one being a private visit in December 2017.
Princess Marie first visited the Asthma School. Nurse Anne Marie Bro Hofbauer explains: “The purpose of Odense Asthma School is to give the children a greater understanding of the disease and the medicine they receive, but also to show them that they can do much more than they think. They can run longer and jump higher than they thought. Most importantly, they live a very ordinary and active life, just like all other children and young people. We try to help them.”
The project aims to teach both children and parents about asthma but also how to move and do sports when you have asthma with the collaboration of students from the University of South Denmark.
After this meeting, Princess Marie attended the research seminar about asthma and allergies.
Four presentations took place :
Finally, Princess Marie visited Ællingen which is a playground for children from 6 to 12 years old run by young volunteers from Red Cross Hungary. Ællingen is opened two afternoons a week for all children, whether they are patients or relatives of a patient. Ællingen aims to give the children independent and fun experiences independent of illness, diagnosis and parents.
Princess Marie wore a new IRO jacket today! The ‘Awa’ jacket is a belted wool-blend jacket with leather trims on the inside. It is not the first time Marie has worn this French brand. She wore another IRO jacket in 2015.
She wore a black short sleeve top with black trousers and UFO black ankle boots that she first wore last year. Her snakeskin bag is also new and it is by Mauro Orietti Carella, the former designer of Zagliani, one of Marie’s favorite brands.
In other news, Princess Marie as Patron of DanChurchAid is taking part in their campaign for the removing of landmines and unexploded munitions. She filmed a video message to support their work :
Here is the translation of her message: “DanChurchAid is focusing on the important work of clearing mines. Every year, more than 2000 people die from landmines and unexploded ammunition. But mines do not kill people only. Landmines maintain millions of men in poverty and prevent reconstruction and development. Landmines make it impossible to cultivate the earth and thus provide food to thousands of families.Landmines prevent children from giving safe to and from school. They prevent children from playing freely and just being children.
That is why I support the efforts of the DanChurchAid in removing land mines with the victims and the teaching of how to avoid landmines.”
She wore a new turtleneck top from By Malene Birger. It features a side slit so I really hope Marie will wear it again so that we can see it fully!
We’ll next see Princess Marie on Monday when she will attend the launch of new teaching materials against food waste by the Copenhagen Municipality.
Princess Marie's Closet 
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