86 thoughts on “Royal Round Up: Sophie, Madeleine, Letizia, Mary, Camilla, Margrethe”

1. KMR, would you focus more on the Countess of Wessex? She’s one of my favorite royals, very elegant, classy, hardworking, clear headed and she’s very close to the Queen. She (and the Earl of Wessex) don’t get nearly enough attention for what they do (which is A LOT). I know following Katie when she steps outside to check the rain is very important to the paps, but royals like the Earl and Countess of Wessex (and the Princess Royal) are important to those of us who admire people who actually get what it means to be a royal. Also since Katie is unlikely to be in public for several weeks b/c of her “maternity leave,” this blog won’t be as busy anyway. I think it would be a perfect time to highlight some of the royals more in the background. That’s just my two cents. Obviously this is your blog, do what you wish with it. I’ll keep reading no matter what!

   1. I would certainly love to read a post dedicated to Sophie!

   2. I would like to hear more about Sophie while Kate is on ‘maternity leave’ for the next (only God knows how many months).

      As Seth stated, it is your blog and this is simply feedback from your grateful readers. It would be nice to see other BRF while Will and Kate struggle with their busy parenting duties. I am sure Jason will emphasize the TWO CHILDREN UNDER TWO, for as many months as he can get away with in the press.

      I notice when Camilla looks spectacular, but this does nothing for her. She has to get the bust darts placed correctly or she looks like she forgot her bra. Shiny fabric tends to make you look larger. Her silk coat for her wedding was fantastic, but some of her recent light reflecting fabric choices have not made her look her best. She also picks clothing without the right shape for her frame. Why pick a garment with a curved seam and extra fabric at her hips. She has loads of money to spend on clothing, so she needs someone with a good eye to help her out. If Sophie could make a style turn around in her 50’s and get noticed in the press, Camilla could do the same in her 60’s.

   3. I agree, more Sophie please.
      Sophie has shown that a commoner CAN marry into the royal family and can learn by watching.
      I compare Sophie at Richard’s re-internment to Kate’s latest outing and Kate definitely looks less polished and professional.

      1. Please don’t take this personally Cathy, b/c it is absolutely not just you. Technically a “commoner” is not merely a non-royal; it’s anyone who is not the Sovereign or the a member of the nobility holding a substantive title. For example, the Duke of Cambridge as the Duke, holds a substantive title. The Duchess of Cambridge is entitled by courtesy only, to the feminine title and style of her husband’s peerage. Prince Henry of Wales, is a courtesy title for the son of the Prince of Wales; he does not hold a substantive title on his own and is legally a ‘commoner’, as is Camilla, Sophie, Princesses Eugiene, Beatrice, the Duchesses of Gloucester and Kent, and Princess Michael of Kent. On the other hand, the Princess Royal is a substantive title on its own. By contrast, a courtesy title can be deprived by letters patent in the event of divorce, i.e. Diana and Sarah. A substantive title is much harder to be deprived of. Sorry to go on like this, but it always bugs me when people say “Commoner” to mean “non-royal”. That’s simply not true. But I agree a 1,000% that Sophie shows what an ordinary member of the public, who was a former PR girl, can do in the Royal Family. She did get some things wrong, like the “fake Sheikh” scandal she had in 2001 but that’s long past her now.
         Also sadly the newspaper articles didn’t mention that Sophie attended Richard III’s re-internment. Put it down to the “if it isn’t the Holy Foursome it doesn’t sell,” of the tabloids.

         1. Thank you Seth, I do know what a “commoner” is.
            Sophie was not brought up in royal circles like Diana or Camilla.
            Kate is also a commoner.
            The difference between the two is that Sophie has paid attention and learnt, Kate has not.

            1. Couldn’t agree more.

         2. Thanks Seth! I have to admit, while I like to read about the royals, the subject of non-royal v commoner is something I didn’t understand until you provided this info. At least for this American, trying to understand who has a substantive title and who has a courtesy title is still a little confusing, but I will try to make it stick in my brain.

         3. O.K. Seth, sorry to be so thick. I really am trying to understand your explaination, but if Princess Eugenie and Princess Beatrice are a commoner title, why has Prince Andrew made it clear they are the only ‘blood Princesses’.

            It makes me wonder how the insider workings are among those who have a real affection for each other. For instance, the recent airport photos of Mary, Marie and Maxima showing Mary and Marie in a deep curtsey to Max. I realize in public this is important, but it makes me wonder how this seems among the friends in private.

            1. I suspect that they don’t curtsey in private – and they only curtsey to monarchs and consorts. I believe that it is only the BRF that has an internal hierarchy of curtseying among themselves and I have no idea if they do it in private, which I hope they don’t because otherwise it is IMO antiquated and snobbish.

            2. Because even though they are Princesses, they are not titles that they have themselves. They are not entitled to call themselves the Princess Beatrice or the Princess Eugenie. “The” is the definitive article that distinguishes a substantive title from a courtesy title. It doesn’t impact their status of princesses of the Royal Family or their precedence. But they are commoners b/c they are not the monarch or the holder of a substantive title, like a peerage (which women are usually forbidden from holding except by special warrant of the monarch) or the title of Princess Royal, which is reserved for the eldest daughter of the monarch if there is no previous holder living.

            3. Oh G one other thing I forgot to mention: You’re not thick. The British peerage system is complicated, anachronistic and gives me a headache. I just re-Googled “courtesy title” vs. “substantive title” to be sure that *I’m* not the thick one. As for Queen Maxima, Crown Princess Mary and Princess Marie of Denmark, I’m not entirely sure b/c my principal interest is in the British Royal Family. My best guess is because Mary and Marie are Princesses and Maxima is Queen, so they have to curtsy to her. I know ArtHistorian is from Denmark or Sweden (I’m sorry I don’t remember which ArtHistorian, forgive me!). She might know more.

            4. Seth,

               I’m Danish. And you’re quite right, Mary and Marie curtseyed to Maxima and Willem-Alexander because they are king and quee. They also always curtsey to Queen Margrethe on official engagements because she is the sovereign. That’s it.

               Interestingly enough the Dutch king is quite laid-back about the whole bowing and curtseying. I have the impression that he’d rather that people didn’t.

            5. Thanks to Seth and Art Historian for explaining all of this to me.

   4. I’ll keep a look out and try to include more Sophie.

      1. Thank you very much KMR!

2. What a fabulous round-up! I’m going to jump out and say how terrific Camilla looks with her scarf and dragonflys. Jason needs to steer Kate in this direction, and since she seems to be of primary use selling clothes, she could help the scarf industry. Maybe someone will get a brain and design specially made scarves that Kate could wear with all/most of the proceeds going to her charities. The scarves could be designed by people from the charities, how nice would that be? Jason, if you use this, you owe us all on here a private lunch reception with choice of Kate or Camilla, and we want high tea! Mary and Leti looked gorgeous; I want everything they wear. I loved Leti’s “steely resolve” outfit. This terrible tragedy highlights again how important it is for our world to start having healthy, supportive conversations about mental health. It’s a heartbreaking loss all the way around. Again, Sophie looks radiant and natural. What a huge asset she is. Charles had better not be an idiot and push her out. Last, but not ever close to least is Queen Margrethe. I would love to see this exhibit other than through the web; I hope it comes to America. I live in Fredericksburg, so a little kinship there– sending her some love and good wishes on such a great history.

   1. Hi Sugar, what a great idea about the scarfs!! Kate wore an Olympic scarf and it was a great way to highlight the events. Since most of her charities involve children and the arts, a great silk screened scarf with the art work of the children involved in the charity would sell out in a flash. It would also provide her a way to really become more involved in her charities.

      1. Thanks! That’s what I was thinking. If Kate never matures into a public speaker, at least she use her position for something other than personal glorification.

   2. I’m going to see the exhibit of QMII’s gowns – and I’ll definitely report back.

      1. Lucky! Will be looking forward to reading more. Thx KMR for all these delicious bites

         1. I have also just learned that there is a small exhibit of some of CP Mary’s gowns in Odense. It is farther away but I would love to see those as well.

      2. Art, when you go to the exhibit, if you want to write a guest post about the exhibit and your experience, that would be awesome.

         1. I would love to do that!

   3. That scarf idea is great!

   4. Yes, thank you – more C Sophie. A very lovely, regal, hardworking group of Royal ladies – Q Margrethe (and HM QEll), do hold her own with her fabulous gowns and regal daughters-in-law. Well deserved round up.

3. Nice round up! The more I hear about QM, the more I like her. I heard, and someone please correct me of I’m wrong, that she has a love of theater and pageantry and it shows in her clothes.She seems like a vibrant and colorful woman. I remember seeing an interview where she offered a journalist a pillow for her back.

   It looks like the royal ladies were busy this week. Mary’s cherry blossom dress is amazing. What a great nod to the host country. I am impressed with Madde’s continued work with Childhood. I will say this week was a tough one due to the tragedy on the Alps. It was fitting that they canceled the events. I’m still trying to wrap my head around it.

   KMR, you should do a post of Camilla’s brooches. What a fun way to incorporate your personality and fun in your fashion.

   1. QMII, or Daisy as she is affectionately known, has a great love of the theatre, particularly the ballet. In fact, I have seen her many times in the theatre for an opera or a ballet.

      Besides being Queen, she is also an artist – her paintings have been exhibited, some of her works with the decoupage technique have been incorporated into a movie based on H.C. Andersen’s fairytale about a princess and her brothers who are transformed into swans by an evil stepmother. QMII actually had a little cameo in that move as a peasant woman. She has also designed costumes for at least two ballet productions, translated a series of novels from Swedish to Danish, and she has also illustrated an edition of Tolkien’s Lord of the Rings (she’s a big admirer of the book and corresponded with Tolkien – she also used to read it aloud to her sons when they were children).

      She actually has a very big influence on her gala gowns, one could even say that she co-designs them with her tailor. She also often buys the fabric herself if she finds something interesting on her travels. I’m really looking forward to see the dresses that was made by the late couturier Jørgen Bender. He made the most exquisite dresses for both Queen Ingrid, Queen Magrethe and Queen Silvia,

      1. Thank you ArtHistorian!

      2. Kate take note. QMll is a well rounded interesting individual.

      3. Wow I didn’t know that about her. She sounds like a really cool, creative lady.

         PS. Jørgen Bender made some awesome gowns for Queen Silvia.

      4. QM artwork are impressive! some are displayed at the Palaces, beautiful pieces. Some years ago QM did an interview with CNN displaying some of her pieces. In time we may be granted royal art exhibition, featuring QM and POW P Charles.

   2. QMII, or Daisy as she is affectionately known, has a great love of the theatre, particularly the ballet. In fact, I have seen her many times in the theatre for an opera or a ballet.

      Besides being Queen, she is also an artist – her paintings have been exhibited, some of her works with the decoupage technique have been incorporated into a movie based on H.C. Andersen’s fairytale about a princess and her brothers who are transformed into swans by an evil stepmother. QMII actually had a little cameo in that move as a peasant woman. She has also designed costumes for at least two ballet productions, translated a series of novels from Swedish to Danish, and she has also illustrated an edition of Tolkien’s Lord of the Rings (she’s a big admirer of the book and corresponded with Tolkien – she also used to read it aloud to her sons when they were children).

      She actually has a very big influence on her gala gowns, one could even say that she co-designs them with her tailor. She also often buys the fabric herself if she finds something interesting on her travels. I’m really looking forward to see the dresses that was made by the late couturier Jørgen Bender. He made the most exquisite dresses for both Queen Ingrid, Queen Magrethe and Queen Silvia,

      1. I have somehow managed to double post – again.

   3. I do like Camilla’s brooches a lot. I’ll put that on my list of upcoming posts!

4. What a great Royal Roundup! Oh my goodness where to begin, all theses royal ladies looked lovely this week. It was wonderful seeing Sophie representing the Queen at the re internment of King Richard. She looked wonderful and is such an asset to the royal family I echo Sugar’s sentiment that Charles not push her out when he ascends the throne.

   It’s great to see Maddie continue her work with her mother’s Childhood foundation. Since she started working for the Foundation when she moved to New York, it seems to that she certainly found her niche. Do we know when her second baby is due?

   Wow, this was a great fashion week for CP Mary. I loved every outfit she wore while in Japan, especially the cherry blossom dress. And it’s great to see the easy affection between her and Frederick. I do wonder how she is able to do such low curtseys in high heels, how ever she does it she sure does look elegant.

   I loved Camilla’s blue dress and the addition of the scarf was perfect. I do however wish she would misplace these boots for a while. Don’t get me wrong I love boots and wear them all the time in the winter. However, like with today’s dress, they don’t work with every outfit. Imo, a nice black pump would have worked much better with this dress.

   I was so looking forward to Leti’s fashion while in Paris but I agree that cancelling the tour was the correct move. Such a tragedy, doubly so by the way it was caused. My thoughts and prayers go out to all the victims and their families.

   1. While I love the colour of Mary’s maroon dress, the draping at the front looks a little iffy to me.

      The cherry blossom dress is undoubtledly the best one – and she has worn it on several occasions so I guess it is a favorite of hers as well. That dress is also a somewhat bold fashion choice for a royal IMO.

   2. Maddie is due in late June.

      I agree about Camilla’s boots. They are getting into Kate’s Sledges territory and need to be put away.

5. My only question is about the seal skin. Isn’t clubbing seals considered unethical? I need to educate.myself on this. I feel a little off about this.

   1. I’m with you. While this was a traditional practice, I thought it was taboo today.

      1. Yeah. I, for one, am not for wearing animal skins/hides. I will not shame others for doing so. I just remember there being an public outrage about clubbing seals, especially the pups. I do not know a lot about this topic within the culture of both the Scandinavian and Asian cultures to judge it objectively.

         1. Right, I agree that I would be respectful, especially if that is their culture, but it would be personally repugnant to me- I wouldn’t want to touch it or wear one as a gift. It’s got to be an interesting, challenging job to be a diplomat.

   2. Hunting seal is a big part of traditional Inuit culture in Greenland for the last 4.000 years – and they use all parts of the animal. Also bear in mind that they hunt adult seal, they don’t go clubbing baby seal to death, which is an image that many people have of seal hunting. The firm Great Greenland, which is the foremost producer of sealskin products from Greenland, and the one the CP couple are promoting on this tour, only use seal hunted by local Inuit and they are killed by hunting rifles, not clubs!

      The problem for the Greenlanders is that they suffer from a lot of misconceptions about seal hunting, mainly because the most brutal forms of seal hunting is not done by Inuit but by whites. Fx the wholesale massacre of baby seals in Canada in the 80s was not done by Inuit hunters but by white people out to score big payouts because the white, fluffy fur of the babyseal was in demand. Those were the ones that used clubbing in order not to damage the fur.

      1. I’ll also like to add that the Inuit people of both Greenland and Canada has a deeply spiritual connection to nature, which makes sense since they managed to thrive for thousands of years in a climate that is incredibly hostile to humans.

         I also find it fascinating that they have subsisted healthily on a diet that is exclusively based on meat, which is quite remarkable. The have managed to get the aminoacids and vitamins that humans usually get from plants from various ways of preparing the animals they hunt. Some of it through fermentation processes and others through animals that have a high level of C-vitamin, like the skin of narwals, which has the higest level of C-vitamin in the world. Though I do have to say that tradition Greenlandic cuisine isn’t something that I would like to eat. However, it has kept them healthy and there was actually no instances of heart disease until they started adopting more a more Westrn lifestyle, including Western diet.

         1. I find that interesting. Native Alaskans are the same as far as diet is concerned. Once Western food and influence is injected in their culture, that is when disease starts to permeate.

      2. Thank you for clarifying this, ArtHistorian. I can understand when the animal is used for all if its parts. That makes sense to me. I appreciate the detailed response.

6. Letizia, Mary and Sophie looking FLAWLESS, as per usual – they in my eyes are true fashion and style icons.
   Madeline focussing on one of the most important issues in our current world that gets overlooked very often.
   Is it me or Camilla has found a better way to dress her body type? Her dress and coats have become very well tailored and appropriate for her.
   Lovely round up KMR,they are always my faves! 🙂

   On an other note what is happening with Maddie belly in this pic? I think is was photoshopped Maddie has a real baby bump there is something wrong with that photo!!!

   http://katemiddletonreview.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/Princess-Madeleine-attends-conference-on-human-trafficking.jpg

   1. I’m totally in love with Mary’s printed dress – I love japanese cherrryblossoms because they have such a delicate colour and this dress really pays homage to this very tradition symbol of Japanese culture.

      It is made by the Greek but London-based designer Mary Katzantreu, whose collections are dominated by the use of photo-realistic prints. While many of her designs aren’t pretty in a traditional sense, I find them incredibly fascinating since the photorealism of the prints gives the clothes a strange thrompe l’oeil-effect, where the wearer’s body comes to look like something completely different. The whole thing has a wonderfully surrealist touch.

      https://dk.pinterest.com/pin/472807660852452793/

      https://dk.pinterest.com/pin/472807660852452800/

      https://dk.pinterest.com/pin/472807660852576916/

      Katzantreu has also made this wonderful, quirky skirt in homage to a The Rose Trellis Egg by Fabergé.
      https://dk.pinterest.com/pin/472807660852452797/

      https://dk.pinterest.com/pin/472807660851737669/

      1. I usually hate this designer, but the collection from which this dress is taken, and the next two after that were superb. Really lovely, use of pattern/print and fabric. Plus she picked such flattering on anyone colours. Soft pastels. Even the greys were flattering no matter your skin tone.

         Her recent collections are very similar to her original collections in being horrid, harsh and not flattering to anyone.

         1. I find Katzantreu’s collections fascinating as works of art with a surrealist twist – however, they are not exactly wearable.

         2. I think it’s hit or miss with Katzantreu. Some pieces I think are very pretty, others I think are super ugly.

   2. Maddie’s face looks off in that pic, too. Don’t know what’s going on with that pic.

7. CP Mary looks like a statue in the new tour photos. Too robotic looking. I mean she looks great but her body language looks too Barbie like. She looks like they pulled her right out of a box, LOL.

   Great post, I am not a new reader but rather new at joining in on the discussions around here. I have really started to like this blog over any of the other ones for so many reasons. I LOVE reading everyone’s comments and critique. KMR is so real and not afraid to be opinionated and that makes it real and fun. Thanks for a great blog!

   1. I always find it very difficult to assess how people move from still photos. Fx the photos of Mary curtseying look incredibly akward but I know from videos that she does an incredibly elegant curtsey. A few entries back, I posted a video of the DFR greeting the Dutch king and queen at the airport in Copenhagen and it shows how both Mary and her sister-in-law Marie are very elegant in their curtseys.

      A photo only captures a split-second and many news and gossip sites can construct a whole narrative around a few photos that show one thing while omitting photos that contradition that narrative. i have seen a lot of stories like that, especially on Kate at the Remebrance Day parades in London. Here, the news outlets have often chosen pictures where she looks bored (like twisting her hair) while omitting those where she looks solemn. I find that videos are a much better source to assess how people behave and move.

      1. I agree Art, photos are showing just a split second in time, while videos provide the bigger picture. There have been times in the past when Mary was not my favorite royal, she struck me as a bit of b%#ch and a little snooty. But again seeing her in video moving and interacting with people has done much to soften my image of her, although I still wouldn’t want to meet her in a dark alley. 🙂

         1. I know someone who has met Mary several times as he and his firm was responsible for the renovations to their primary residence at Amalienborg palace. He says that she is pleasant but forthright and definitely knows what she wants – and not stuck up in the least. In fact, some of the craftsmen working on the palace sometimes felt that she and Frederik were a little too informal! Like, they would sometimes come up in to morning to see how work progressed in pjs and bathrobes. 😉

            He has also seen QMII’s private appartments since he was there to take measurements and assess damage to the building. Sadly, he didn’t get to meet Daisy.

            The Queen’s residence at Amalienboprg Palace is in really bad shape with lots of visible water damage and she would need to move out completely for the whole thing to be restored.

            1. I am amazed that the government would allow their palaces to fall into such disrepair, similar to the problems they’re having at BP. It’s such a shame not to restore these treasures.

               I am wondering, I’ve heard rumors that Mary and Frederick were thought of as a lazy duo in the early years of their marriage and that Mary was slammed for her taste in expensive shoes. Do you have background information on that? I can’t find anything online regarding this rumor.

            2. The problem with old buildings is that they are quite vulnerable to damage – and Denmark has had significantly more rain than usual in the last couple of years. A few years back one particularly severe rainfall caused massive flooding and huge damage to a lot of buildings. It was so bad that people were called in to the National Gallery and Library to move priceless artifacts around to avoid water damage. The building my father worked in was completely inundated and everything was sopping wet when he came to work the next day. It took 1½ year to repair the damage – and it was a brand-new building!

               Ideally, historic buildings ought to be assessed for damage every year and have that repaired right away before it gets too bad. Sadly, there aren’t really funds for that kind of continuous upkeep. The Queen’s palace was completely restored 40 years ago but in old buildings 40 years is a very long time.

               I remember when Mary first entered the RF and I can’t recall any criticisms of her being lazy. She was criticised for her interest in fashion because some people thought it made her seem light-weight. I do remember that she insisted on visiting the ghettos of underprivileged immigrants on her first tour of the country as a Crown Princess. She also became a patron of several organizations dealing with mental illness and heart disease from the very start.

               She also started her foundation fairly early into the marriage but it took about 4 years to get it up and running because they needed to raise a substantial amount of money for it to work effectively. Unlike the Dutch and British RFs the Danish RF does not have much private wealth, they lost the bulk of their wealth when their bank went under in the early 1920s.

               I wouldn’t call him “lazy” but CP Frederik is definitely seen as more of a light-weight than his wife. He’s certainly not as heavily invested in social causes as both Mary and Marie. I do know that he often does a lot of the ceremonial duties when the Queen is abroad and he has also taken on more now the QMII is suffering from health problems.

               Presently, prince Joachim is probably the one who works the least of all the Danish royals. He used to run an estate in the south of Denmark but he sold it last year for a lot of money and is now the wealthiest member of the DRF.

            3. Art Historian, it is very interesting to have these ‘insider’ bits of info.

               This is off topic, but I wonder if you could answer a question about CP Mary and Princess Marie. I am not pitting them against each other, but simply curious about what they have as interests, such as riding horses ect.

            4. I really don’t know very much about princess Marie besides her official work – she seems to be a very private person, and she had some very bad experiences with the press when she was first dating Joachim. So I think that she is very guarded. Furthermore, there’s a lot more focus on Mary in the press because she works much more and because she’ll eventually become Queen. Then there’s also the fact that Marie is much less charismatic and outgoing than Joachim’s first wife Alexandra who was hugely popular when she was a member of the DRF.

               I do know that she’s very invested in an organization that deals with autism because there is someone in her family that suffers from that condition. She’s also involved with the AIDS-foundation and DanChurch Aid, which does a lot of very good work with giving aid in the form of help-to-self help. I support this organization myself.

            5. ArtHistorian was there any sort of scandal or issue when Joachim remarried like with the divorces of Diana and Sarah in the UK? I’m curious what the Danish public’s reaction was. Thanks!

            6. The divorce between Joachim and Alexandra was handled quite discreetly. There were a host of rumours at the time (not always in the press but just speculations among people, my friends and I certainly did a lot of that) – everything from cheating to him being gay was floated. However, none of those rumours have stuck. And they are all on excellent terms with each other – Joachim, Marie, Alexandra and their two sons even celebrated New Year’s together in 2006 – and Joachim and Marie was first married in 2008. They all also celebrated Alex’s 50th last year. That they all are on good terms is a testament to their maturity and their wish to be the best parents they can be for their children – and Marie certainly appears to be an excellent step-mother to Alexandra’s sons. In the end I think that the divorce was for the best of everyone since there doesn’t appear to be any lingering bitterness.

               I think that the explanation is a simple but rather boring one – there were very different people and Alexandra, who had had a high-powered business career in Hong Kong found it very difficult to adjust to life far out in the country at an estate near a tiny (and very idyllic) hamlet. She took on a lot of work right after the engagement and she spent a lot of time in Copenhagen as a result. It is believed, however, that the marriage was dead long before the divorce – and that Joachim wanted to keep up appearances. I actually remember reading an interview with Alexandra not long before CP Frederik and Mary’s wedding where she said that she wouldn’t be content to stay in a marriage if the love wasn’t there anymore.

               However, the announcment of the divorce was a complete bombshell – the public really had no idea that the marriage had failed. I’ll also point out that the press, even the tabloid one, is much less intrusive here in Denmark when compared to the British one.

            7. The divorce between Joachim and Alexandra was handled quite discreetly. There were a host of rumours at the time (not always in the press but just speculations among people, my friends and I certainly did a lot of that) – everything from cheating to him being gay was floated. However, none of those rumours have stuck. And they are all on excellent terms with each other – Joachim, Marie, Alexandra and their two sons even celebrated New Year’s together in 2006 – and Joachim and Marie was first married in 2008. They all also celebrated Alex’s 50th last year. That they all are on good terms is a testament to their maturity and their wish to be the best parents they can be for their children – and Marie certainly appears to be an excellent step-mother to Alexandra’s sons. In the end I think that the divorce was for the best of everyone since there doesn’t appear to be any lingering bitterness.

               I think that the explanation is a simple but rather boring one – there were very different people and Alexandra, who had had a high-powered business career in Hong Kong found it very difficult to adjust to life far out in the country at an estate near a tiny (and very idyllic) hamlet. She took on a lot of work right after the engagement and she spent a lot of time in Copenhagen as a result. It is believed, however, that the marriage was dead long before the divorce – and that Joachim wanted to keep up appearances. I actually remember reading an interview with Alexandra not long before CP Frederik and Mary’s wedding where she said that she wouldn’t be content to stay in a marriage if the love wasn’t there anymore.

               However, the announcment of the divorce was a complete bombshell – the public really had no idea that the marriage had failed. Generally, people were sad that the marriage had failed because Alexandra was a hugely popular member of the RF – on of the most popular in fact.

               I’ll also point out that the press, even the tabloid one, is much less intrusive here in Denmark when compared to the British one.

            8. G.

               Here’s another little “insider” nugget for you:
               QMII sleeps under the attic at Amalienborg Palace where she has a snug little boudoir with burgundy tapestried walls and a little fireplace.

            9. Of course the tabloid press would be less intrusive in Denmark; I doubt they’re owned by Rupert Murdoch. 🙂

            10. I think Denmark is too small a market to interest Murdoch – and thank for God for that. 🙂

            11. Thanks Art Historian. I loved reading about all the info you provided, especially about QMII. She seems like an amazingly talented and free spirited woman. It goes to show how much women through each generation can admire women who have paved the road before us.

   2. Funny, because I always feel that way about Letizia. I’m really in the minority there!

      1. I’m in the same camp as you, bluhare. Mary’s my girl, but I just cannot warm up to Letizia – personality or style wise.

         1. QL mannerism may be continuing from her former profession – Journalism…

      2. I understand bluhare, Leti can appear rather icy in photos, similar to Charlene imo. I feel that her elegance and impossibly straight posture can make her appear rigid and uncaring. That being said she is one of my favorite royals as I am frequently referred to as the ice queen as well 🙂

      3. I think it is situational. Letizia isn’t a big grinner at work. She probably studied how to control her expression as part of her extensive media training. When with the kids? Different story.

         http://www.glamour.com/beauty/blogs/girls-in-the-beauty-department/2011/04/28/0429-princess_letizia_updo.jpg

         http://images.rdujour.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/12/princesllexitziasparleswatersd3.jpg

         http://www3.pictures.zimbio.com/gi/Princess+Letizia+Princess+Sofia+Spanish+Royals+DU2m_NdVHa_l.jpg

         http://www.diariofemenino.com/images/galeria/5000/5864_letizia-ortiz-con-leonor-y-sofia.jpg

         http://www.bekia.es/images/galeria/3000/3064_la-princesa-letizia-y-las-infantas-leonor-y-sofia-en-el-segundo-dia-de-regatas-2011.jpg

8. Just read at the Daily Fail that William will be taking paternity leave. Several people have commented “from what” as William hasn’t had a proper job since quitting the RAF in 2013. Seems like William is determined to run his chances of becoming king one day into the ground with idleness.

   1. Apparently William started his new job today and will continue training until this summer. But he will take his paternity leave when the new baby arrives. I wonder though, since Anmer Hall is so far from London, will he and Kate decamp for KP some time before the birth or will she go alone with William to follow when she goes into labor?

      1. Good question. I don’t know if Kate will go to KP or not. She needs to be closer to the hospital for sure.

         I think an interesting question is where will they go to connect with baby cambridge number two. Anmer? Bucklebury Palace?

         1. My guess would be Anmer Hall. They used the excuse of no air conditioning when George was born for going to Bucklebury Palace but I don’t think that would fly this time around. I guess only time will truly tell.

         2. Latest rumor, fabrication, or plant from Jason.

            So will builders leave in time for the Royal baby? Work so behind on Norfolk mansion they may have to delay move until after birth

            http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-3016487/So-builders-leave-time-Royal-baby-Work-Norfolk-mansion-delay-birth.html

            1. This is truly bizarre!! I thought they hosted Carole and Mike for Christmas at Anmer and had a party for the workers. If this is true then I’m sure they will move to Bucklebury Palace, we certainly can’t expect them to stay in their mere 20 room flat at KP. (cue heavy eye rolling)

            2. This is truly bizarre!! I thought they hosted Carole and Mike for Christmas at Anmer and had a party for the workers. If this is true then I’m sure they will move to Bucklebury Palace, we certainly can’t expect them to stay in their mere 20 room flat at KP. (cue heavy eye rolling). According to People magazine, the work was mostly done in February so this is very interesting.

      2. I’m not trying to be rude to you Lauri but good for him.

   2. Good for him. More hiding from the public while living at least in part on their dime. His mother is probably spinning in her grave.

   3. If P Will really started training again (new job), that could mean he got out from carole and km, middleton family triangle. His actions could also be due to his meeting with grannie at BP (day ‘in training’ with HM, meeting foreign dignitaries, etc; which would not matter if Prince Charles passes before HM QEll – then Prince Andrew, York (his daughter P Bea) would become HM heir); PW also may have received Royal Protocol reminders/orders on middletons hanging on at royal residences and with the babies.

9. Quick question, when W&K are in Norfolk, what happens with the Italian housekeeper they hired to care for their apartment in KP? They are hiring new folks for Anmer Hall, why couldn’t the KP housekeeper move there instead?

   1. Lauri, that would just make too much sense for her to move there LOL. I think that each housekeeper sticks to the house that they run though. Not sure why, as the housekeeper at KP would be bored to tears by now.

      I still can’t believe that Waity is going to go home to Ma Mids AGAIN. Poor Diana would be spinning in her grave as someone else said. Wills is going to run and play ambulance pilot and Waity will be waited on hand and foot and George will be left with the new born to play with

      1. I can, but I said my piece about Carole. I’ve moved in with the popcorn and foil hat gang.

   2. …waste of taxpayers funds – the wealth and luxurious lifestyle to workshy lazy PW km, the lack of duties and following royal traditions to HM, giving back to the people, makes their spending on multiple homes (including PW buckleberry – middleton home/security) so outrageous.

      How is it that km lay-about siblings walk around with designer wear and expensive accessories (handbags valued over a thousand pounds) etc., considering ‘party business’ exhausted on universities ‘hunts’…

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