Official reception at Parliament

13 May 2004

A day before the wedding Mary Donaldson, crown prince Frederik and their families attended an official reception at the Danish Parliament in Copenhagen.

Mary wore a new suit designed by Uffe Frank, and executed by Birgit Hallstein.

 Under huge media attention Mary's hat blew off...

video:

Speeches were given. The Parliament gave the couple a dining table as wedding present.

The final rehearsal

13 May 2004

D-1 started with a final rehearsal at the Vor Frue church in Copenhagen.

Later that day Mary & the others would also attend an official reception at Parliament and at night there was the big pre-wedding gala concert.

Per Thornit was present at the rehearsal.

... and so were John Donaldson, Jane Stephens, Patricia Bailey, their kids and Amber Petty.

Party at Vega

12 May 2004

At night of less formal entertainment was provided for the families of the soon-to-be husband & wife, and for the guests that were already in Denmark for the wedding - two days later.

The older generation was offered a dinner at Amalienborg while Mary's generation went clubbing at Vega, a Copenhagen discotheque.

Here Amber Petty arrives at Amalienborg palace ahead of the party.

Like all events these days the press covered Mary's every move extensively but no cameras or press were allowed inside the club.

Mary wore a new dress by Birgit Hallstein.

Amber Petty leaving Vega:

Reception at Copenhagen city hall

12 May 2004

Mary & Frederik and both their families attended an official reception at Copenhagen's city hall.

Mary wore a hat she'd bought in Sydney earlier that year - when the were filming her documentary, a new dress by Birgit Hallstein and a new jacket by Prada.

The rest of the delegation...

Prewedding gala banquet

11 May 2004

At night queen Margrethe hosted a gala banquet at Christiansborg for the wedding of her son and Mary Donaldson. Among the 350 guests were members of state and politicians.

Mary wore a new gown designed by Malene Birger and Demark's highest royal order, the Order of the Elephant.

After formally welcoming all guests the gala dinner with speeches took place.

In his speech prime minister Anders Fogh Rasmussen said to Frederik: "Your royal highness, the first time I met you and Miss Donaldson together was on an aeroplane from Paris before your relationship had been officially announced. It is typical of your straightforwardness that you introduced me to miss Donaldson with the words 'This is my girlfriend, Mary'."

 

She also wore queen Ingrid's ruby set for the first time.

Among the guests were Mary's family

Amber Petty

Queen Anne Marie & king Constantine of Greece, princess Benedikte & prince Richard zu Sayn Wittgenstein-Berleburg, prince Joachim & princess Alexandra, princess Elisabeth.

Master of ceremony Christian Eugen-Olsen