Christening of prince Sverre Magnus of Norway

4 March 2006

A day after their arrival in Oslo, crown prince Frederik and crown princess Mary of Denmark assisted at the christening in the Royal Chapel of Sverre, the youngest child of the Norwegian crown princely couple.

Before the ceremony started, an official photo was made.

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After the christening the guests had lunch with the Norwegian royal family at the royal palace.

Leaving the royal palace after lunch, with crown princess Victoria of Sweden.

At night the guests attended a reception at Skaugum, the home of Haakon and Mette-Marit. 

On their way back from Skaugum, Frederik and Mary were accompanied by Christian and his nanny.

Nanny #2: Mie Damgaard Kristiansen

In January 2006, 22- year old nursery student Mie ("Misse") Damgaard Kristiansen was hired as an assistant nanny for Christian. Mette Hansen was Christian's regular nanny.

The second Nytårskur of 2006

5 January 2006

The second new year's court is meant for the royal guard, the horse guard, the dignitaries and the diplomatic corps to present their wishes for the new year to the queen at Amalienborg Palace.

It's smaller than the first kur of the year: earlier in the day, no tiaras, and a smaller royal delegation. None the less it's still a solmn affair.

Afterwards the queenly and crown princely couple posed with their entire staff. 

Nanny #1: Mette Hansen

October 2005

Before Christian was born crown prince Frederik & crown princess Mary hired a nanny to help them with the baby. After the recommendation of Mary's obstetrician Morten Hedegaard they opted for Mette Hansen, a nurse wo worked at the Rigshospital in Copenhagen.

Mette Hansen was in her early thirties when she started working for the crown princely family in October 2005. She staid with them untill 2011 - so 6 years in total. She then went on to work for singer Nellie Ettison, a childhood friend of hers.

Mette is also a singer at the "Gentofte Gospel" group. In 2008 they participated in the TV talent show "Talent 2008". They stranded in the semi finals.
(Mette's the lady with the white hairband)

Mette Hansen has kept in touch with the royal family and occasionally still helps out.

A walk in the park

13 October 2005

This was Mary's last sighting before she gave birth to Christian - labour would start the next afternoon.

The crown princess went for a walk in the park gardens of Fredensborg palace, accompanied by a bodyguard.

Anja Camilla Alajdi

One of Mary's most important counsellors is her personal stylist: Anja Camilla Alajdi.

Mary started working with Alajdi at the very start of her time in Denmark - around 2002. When she became engaged to crown prince Frederik their collaboration intensified and it has never ceased.

Apart from advising on fashion choices for all of Mary's activities and arranging fittings with designers, Alajdi accompanies Mary to fashion shows and on shopping trips in Denmark and abroad. She has introduced Mary to other specialists in skin care, fashion, hair and make-up.
Alajdi also works closely on Mary's image in PR campaigns. She has succesfully guided Mary Donaldson from an average and quite unremarkable looking middle class woman to the stylish and well groomed crown princess of Denmark.

Being a member of Copenhagen's society, Anja Camilla quickly became one of Mary's friends.

  

In 2008, with Preben Kristensen

and with Søren Hedegaard

Anja Camilla Alajdi was born in 1972. She's the daughter of a Danish mother and a Morrocan father.

From her marriage to Ulf-Steen Neitzel she has two children: ?? and Otto (°2003).

She's now in a relationship with Steen Arnstrøm, a former bodyguard of crown prince Frederik.

She worked as a stylist for the TV show Linie 3. There she met actor Preben Kristensen, who introduced her to his partner, Mary's hairdresser Søren Hedegaard. It was Hedegaard who recommended Alajdi to Mary. When Mary became crown princess Alajdi's work increased and she gave up her job at Danish television.

Anja has also worked for women's magazine Alt for Damerne.

In 2007 Alajdi became a business partner in Marianne Dulong, thus part owning the jewellery brand that largely provides the crown princess of jewellery.

Countess Victoria Bernstorff-Gyldensteen

Countess Victoria Bernstorff-Gyldensteen was Mary's first lady-in-waiting, during the first two years after Mary Donaldson became crown princess of Denmark.

At Danish court a 'hofdame' is a very close collaborator of a royal: as a PA she prepares activities. She's also present in the background at an activity to take care of small practical things and to make sure everything runs smoothly. The hofdame accompanies Mary to all her public duties in Denmark and abroad and has regular meetings with her at the office, to inform, prepare and councel. For this job an excellent knowledge of Danish society is necessary.

Victoria Bernstorff-Gyldensteen was born in New Jersey (USA) as Cynthia Victoria Ames. She grew up in California and Mexico and studied political science and art history. In 1979 she married Danish count Frants Bernstorff-Gyldensteen. They have two sons, Erik and Peter.

Victoria lives at Gyldensteen manor in Bogense on the isle of Fyn where her husband exploits an agricultural enterprise.

First solo event at pony championships

14 June 2004

For her first solo event as crown princess, Mary handed out the prizes at the Danish Championships pony riding in Silkeborg.

As is the custom at Danish court, she was accompanied by a hofdame (lady-in-waiting): countess Victoria Bernstorff-Gyldensteen.

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