DR aired a new 6 part docu series about the Danish royal family. In "Kongehuset indefra" or "The royal house seen from the inside" Danish viewers got to see exactly that: preparations of royal visits, the work that was performed by both royals and their staff before, after and during royal activities, all of it carefully explained by a voice over and by the royals themselves.
Episode 1
Queen Margrethe's birthday, 16 April 2009: a gathering of the family before the balcony scene, with the queen treating Christian to cake. Frederik says "A half, mum, a half".
Margrethe talks about becoming queen in 1972: "It was very moving and very strange. I had never dreamt that so many people would be present. I knew there had been a lot of people in 1947 when my father became king, but I had never imagined that there would be just as many people in 1972. I felt it was a very big obligation that so many people had showed up. I had to prove myself worthy of this".
Frederik: "It's actually a very nice picture of my mother who in reality is very composed and moved".
Mary: "I see a very young and very strong woman, perhaps a woman who is a little insecure, but nevertheless a woman who is aware of the duty she is born into. I also see a little girl, who is in deep mourning over having lost her father".
After the birth of Henrik, prince Joachim informs his secretary who writes the press announcement. The family is informed by phone, a Blackburry. Later on Joachim writes an official "letter to the monarch" about the birth of a new prince. The letter is later presented to the queen, the PM and a minister. Then it is filed in the national archive.
Prince Henrik picks up his grandsons Nikolai & Felix by car, so that they can meet their new little brother. On the way to the hospital he tells them to take their chewing gums out of their mouths as it's impolite.
A new PM is appointed, Lars Løkke (Rasmussen). He faces the press and followers as well as followers of the opposition outside the gate as is tradition.
There's a brief glimpse of a staff meeting in the Yellow Mansion, which is located next to Amalienborg and houses court's administration. Then a glimpse of a meeting between staff, the queen and crown prince Frederik. They discuss a dinner with the Spanish king & queen.
Princess Marie presents her firstborn to the press when leaving hospital. She prepared by watching footage of Mary in the same situation.
At the end of the episode Frederik and Mary try to put words to the thought of one day stepping out onto the balcony of Amalienborg as the king & queen of Denmark.
Mary cannot envision it yet.
Frederik: "It's obvious that throughout the years it has moved from a form of dread to awe. First there was the fear that it would happen one day. But with the years you evolve and become more familiar with this work and profession."
Queen Margrethe states that she isn't planning on abdicating. There is no such tradition in Denmark: "Frederik takes on more and more tasks, but the tradition in Denmark is that being head of state is a role for life."
Episode 2
Before the start of the Greek state visit to Denmark queen Margrethe and the matron ("oldfrue") inspect the guestrooms at Fredensborg Slot. Margrethe calls this the soap round: is there soap in each bathroom?
At the airport master of ceremony Christian Eugen-Olsen drills and advises those present, even the newly appointed PM, on how to behave. When the royals arrive, Frederik confides that they also recieve reminders in regards to the protocol, so that everything proceeds according to plan.
The crew is with Mary & Frederik in their kronebil on the way to the airport and Mary hopes it will not be too windy. Frederik remarks she then shoudn't forget her hatpins.
Once there, the queen is handed final notes from the Foreign Ministry, to guide her and ensure that she doesn't say something controversial or "completely foolish".
Mary and the Greek first lady visit Skodsborg.
Frederik picks up his two children from kindergarten on his birthday, in a cargo bike.
Frederik: "The crown princess and I see ourselves, and our children, as normal people, but we are well aware that we have unusual roles to play".
Mary on Christian & Isabella: "All children just want to be like other children, but he will stand out.The way I see it is that I provide them with sound basic values and make sure they are proud of who they are. And that the duty Christian has will make him stronger".
While the children are jumping on the trampoline, Frederik remarks: "They are used to being surrounded by many people. Prince Christian is tolerant about it and he is used to having people around him, like the policemen who look after him".
Mary: "The most important thing is lots of love and being there. But it's also important that children have courage. Courage to be the person they are and the courage to say no".
Queen Margrethe says that while she appreciates and understands the interest there is in the daily lives of royals, it's also important for royal children to have a private life.
Galadiner at Fredensborg. Mary & Frederik are driven from Kancellihuset to Fredensborg Slot, with protection officers even though it's just a few hundred meters. While they get in the car, Mary says "sleep tight" to Christian in pyjamas, being held by a nanny.
The queen explains that there is an EU agreement about giving speeches in your own language at state visits. So no English. The Foreign Ministry writes a draft for her speech, she edits it and adds a few details.
The guests leave and the Greek first couple are presented with a pane of glass and asked to write their autograph. Margrethe later selects the window where it will be placed. There are autographs from other European presidents there, so "he will feel at home here", as she puts it. Also Mary's name is inscribed on a window.
After a state visit there is an evaluation. The staff also gives feedback. The car with the queen and the Greek president broke down. Fortunately only ten meters from the stairs at Fredensborg and not on the motorway.
Episode 3
June 2009, the queen, prince Henrik & the crown prince couple visit Greenland for the country's official autonomy. Mary & Caroline Heering go through the agenda on the flight. Once all the royals have arrived, they meet aboard a Danish navy ship which will be their base for the stay. In a meeting onboard the program is discussed with secretaries and ladies-in-waiting. Mary politely interrupts to ask the queen if she should wear a hat. The answer is yes.
Later Frederik, Mary, Caroline Heering & Helle Ostergaard make a 4 hour boat trip to make an unofficial visit to a children's home. This is part of Mary's work for the Mary Foundation and the atmosphere onboard the ship is very different: more loose, a lot of laughter and Mary is obviously in charge now. The private visit, with just one camera, shows a relaxed, open and spontaneous Mary.
The christening of prince Henrik in Møgeltønder. Prince Joachim tells the invited staff what should be done, and Joachim & Marie practice how they should walk to church for the cameras. Communications chef Lene Balleby gives the necessary feedback to both the royals and the journalsits/TV crews.
Afterwards Marie confirms revealing her child's name for the first time during the christening was a big moment, but here she mixes up the order of the names. The scene ends in loud laughter with a cheerful Marie launching "Cut!" at the cameras.
Prince Henrik's Danish has often been criticized. Marie defends her father-in-law, saying he has a very extensive vocabulary which shows he thoroughly knows the language. Mary, from her office at Kancellihuset, says he has an accent, but very few people who learn Danish as an adult manage to speak it without one so the criticism is very unfair.
Episode 4
Queen Margrethe and court marshal Ove Ullerup go through the planning of the speeches for the state visit to Vietnam.
The queen talks about the annual summer trip to Danish coastal towns by Dannebrog. Master of ceremony Christian Eugen-Olsen starts the planning 4 months earlier. He visits the places and goes through the entire program, planning and protocol with those who will welcome and meet the queen, changing lots of details on the way.
Crown princess Mary walks through the hallway of Kancellihuset to the room where she has a meeting with her private secretary Caroline Heering & lady-in-waiting Tanja Doky. She starts by complimenting Tanja with her pretty eye shadow. They discuss the fact that the crown princess has been asked to give a speech at a prize ceremony. Mary replies she doesn't know much about the subject. Maybe someone else should give the speech, and she can hand out the prize? She asks Tanja to get in touch with the organizers and ask what they expect from her.
In this exerpt Mary & Frederik are also being interviewed directly. Mary: we get a lot of tasks, but in the end it's us who decide about how things will go. We plan our own days, we decide about our agenda ourselves.
Prince Joachim & princess Marie are at Amalienborg. They brought baby Henrik along. Together with Joachim's secretary and Marie's hofdame they go through the activities of their upcoming visit to Hongkong.
The new American ambassador has a first meeting with the queen at Amalienborg.
Gala evening at Christiansborg for the most important cultural actors of Denmark. After shaking 300 hands, the royals need a minute to refresh and have a rest. Queen Margrethe's back gives her trouble, while Mary and Joachim rush away. After dinner the Lanciers are being danced with most of the guests struggling on the passes and moves.
Episode 5
Mary, with Ziggy and the camery team by her side, is on her daily run through Fredensborg park. Mary explains, while running: When I run I can think clearly. Tomorrow I have to give a speech and when I'm running I can think about my role at the Mary Foundation and about the complex theme of domestic violence we'll be tackling. Then she does push-ups against a bench.
Mary's often asked to give a speech. She explains that her speeches have changed over time, as her Danish got better. Mary: The language is such an important part of a country's culture and history, you can't fully understand Denmark, the Danes and being Danish without mastering the language well.
In her office at Kancellihuset Mary is typing the Danish speech she talked about whilst running. Can she remember her first speech? Mary: It wasn't a speech but a few opening words at the engagement conference. I was so, so nervous. My voice was shaking.
On learning Danish - Mary: At first I translated each word seperately, but that didn't work. It was so frustrating. I'd lived my whole life, untill I was 31, in just one language. All of a sudden I had to learn to not only speak a new language, but to start thinking in this new language as well.
At Schackenborg Slot Marie is also practicing a Danish speech. The fresh princess is still working on the typically Danish sounds. She speaks French with Joachim but wants to learn Danish as best she can, so she'll be able to talk to anyone who approaches her. Afterwards Joachim tells her she did really well.
Lene Balleby & Ove Ullerup prepare the arrival of the Obamas and the lunch they will be having with queen Margrethe and the other contestants for the next Olympics, who have gathered in Copenhagen. Christian Eugen-Olsen goes through the practical details: where do the VIPs stand in the room for a good picture, can the liveguards make less noise whilst saluting indoors?
On Frederik's contested IOC membership - Mary: the debate in the press went on for a very long time. But it wasn't fair, they were discussing the IOC of 10 years ago. How did Mary experience the commotion surrounding Frederik's IOC membership? M: I supported him and went through the comments with him. How much do you want this? And is it worth the commotion?
Frederik his political advisor Morten Roland take part in a 100 km mountainbike race.
Mary & hofdame Caroline Heering practice Mary's speech in the car on their way to the Mary Fonden conference. Caroline corrects Mary's pronunciation.
The episode ends with Mary & Frederik riding their horses through Fredeensborg Park in the evening. Mary tells Frederik: "Bella asked me what that was. I said: horse dung, and then she said: Nah, it's fart!"
Episode 6
On Margrethe & Henrik's wedding anniversary they meet at Amalienborg with Frederik & Mary to go through the agenda for their joint state visit to Vietnam. They are also briefed on economic aspects of the country. The program is worked out minute by minute, but the royals have the freedom to chose who participates in which activity.
Once in Vietnam we see the hectic logistic work being done by Danish royal staff, embassy employees and press people while the royals go about their business.
Crown prince Frederik visits a Danish export fair in Hanoi.
The 4 royals visit the places in Hanoi where Henrik lived as a child. Henrik & Frederik put up a plaque for Henrik's grandfather who was burried in Hanoi. Unfortunately the communists destroyed the grave and now they have no clue where the remains are.
Margrethe & Mary visit a Danish flag factory in Vietnam, Frederik has more business & political meetings.
At night the royal ladies and their staff get ready for a gala dinner. Lene Balleby & Tanja Doky get ready in 10 minutes and rush off. In the car to the return gala dinner Mary puts on lip gloss and she's relaxed while bringing a very diplomatic message for the camera on how Denmark and Vietnam can build on their mutual strengths... Frederik laughs ans just says: "I agree".
Two months earlier part of the staff had been to Vietnam to decide on the menus and locations. Christian Eugen-Olsen tells the crown prince couple he's loves the return gala dinners the best: "There's food and music and the whole thing is nearly over".
Back in Denmark we see Joachim & Marie having lunch at Møgeltønder Slot.
At Fredensborg, Mary, Fred & the children go to feed their horses carrots. Mary starts singing a Danish children's song when Christian pretends the carrot he's nibbling is a cigaret. Frederik guides Christian round on his poney while Isabella tells mom that she loves chocolate. Mary teases Bella: "No you don't, you hate chocolate!"
Oprah Winfrey's producer consults Lene Balleby & Tanja Doky on filming crown princess Mary. They want to make a show on modern day princesses. The Danes kindly refuse, they aren't interested in sharing the princess's private life on screen.
