Solving an image problem

17 August 2007

Even though she'd been hugely popular ever since she was discovered by the Danish press, crown princess Mary also had the image of being mainly interested in horses, luxury and designer clothes. On top of that the thorough renovation of Frederik and Mary's palace at Amalienborg had a very high cost.

A crown princess needs a different image so court contacted a few tabloids and let them know they'd be able to make interesting photos at a certain moment, on a certain spot.

They saw Mary coming out of a private enterance of Kancellihuset carrying a barely filled garbage bag. Danish and international magazines all published this image with about the same comments: "the other side of a princess's life" ... "Mary's not too grand to take the trash out" etc.

Testimony by count Alexander von Schönburg: http://www.dailymotion.com/video/xf1tjt_royal-lovestory-frederik-mary-von-d_people

With Malou and the kids

12 May 2007

Marie-Louise Skeel and her son Holger visited Mary at her home in Fredensborg. They were seen out in the park together.

Trip to Australia: day 13

4 December 2006

Pregnant Mary, Christian and Frederik were spotted having breakfast in Sydney, at a Bronte café. They were joined by Chris Meehan & Michaela Ward and their son, Percy.

Afterwards Mary bought new shoes for Christian at the Bondi Junction Shopping Centre.

This was the last day of their Australian holidays. The next day they would leave for Denmark.

Trip to Australia: day 11

2 December 2006

On their second day in Sydney, pregnant Mary, Frederik and Christian made a cruise on board a 41 meter catamaran to Pittwater. They were joined by Australian friends including Amber Petty and Chris Meehan.

In Newport, USA

First week of September 2006

From 1 tot 9 September Frederik competed in the international sailing competition Farr 40 in Newport, Rhode Island, USA.

Mary and Christian made a private visit to him of a couple of days. They were accompanied by Christian's nanny, Mette Hansen.

Mary was spotted shopping. She made a visit to GAP baby and other stores.

Summer holidays: France

Late July 2006

Mary, Fred and Christian spent the last week of July in France, at the château de Cayx. They were joined by Birgitte and Jeppe Handwerk, who brought their daughter India - she was born 3 weeks after Christian.

While Mary, Birgitte and the babies flew to France, Frederik and Jeppe drove by car.

Mary spotted by paparazzi in Cahors.

Holidays in Blokhus

July 2005

Before leaving for France, Frederik & pregnant Mary spent some time with friends on the Danish coast, in Blokhus.

 

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Mary's reading "Tell me I'm here', by Anne Deveson.

Making trips with Mary's family

March 2005

During their last week in Australia Mary & Frederik went on private trips in Tasmania with Mary's family & Amber Petty. The were seen taking the West Coast Wilderness Railway, and on a boating trip.

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Mary was expecting Christian. The news hadn't been made public yet.

Shopping in Hobart

18 March 2005

Mary & Frederik were spotted during a shopping spree in Hobart, Australia. They were seen buying baby socks, which sparked rumours again that Mary was pregnant. This time she really was, but the couple would keep it secret for another 2 months.

Australia tour: day 3

27 February 2005

On Sunday the couple participated in an Australia versus Denmark yacht race in Sydney harbour.

Mary competed in the Australian "Belle Property" team, financed by her former boss Chris Meehan.

Behind the yacht, you can see the Shangri-La Hotel where the Danish princely couple was staying in a suite (it's the one closest to the sail in this photo).

Behind Mary: her lady-in-waiting, countess Victoria Bernstorff-Gyldensteen.

Mary carried a new Prada bag.

In the evening Frederik & Mary attended a reception for the sailors, at the Cruising Yacht Club in Sydney.

                                                                   

Mary was in the first stages of her pregnancy with Christian. The news hadn't been made public yet.

Greek olympics: days 10 & 12

23 August 2004

Back in Athens on Monday, Mary was seen at the woman's handball match opposing Denmark to Angola, and at a horse event.

At night  F& M were at a reception on board the training ship 'Danmark', hosted by ambassador Hans Grunnet  and Minister for Economics Bendt Bendtsen. There was also  a delegation of Danish & Greek businessmen and women.

25 August 2004

Two days later Mary was again attending the horse events - with Margrethe & Benedikte.