Queen Margrethe and Prince Henrik's Official Visit to the USA: June 6-11, 2011

[iceflower]

___________________

According to the royal website Queen Margrethe and Prince Henrik will make
a visit to the USA from June 6th to June 11th, 2011.
Here's the information given so far:

The royal couple will visit Washington and New York from 6 June to 11 June 2011.

Her Majesty The Queen and His Royal Highness the Prince Consort's program during the visit will primarily focus on cultural activities and company visits.

In Washington, the royal couple among others attend the premiere of The Royal Ballet's performances at the Kennedy Center, meet with the Danish consuls in the U.S. and visit the Museum of American History, and the royal couple will visit a number of Danish companies.

In New York the royal couple participates in the Danish American Society Gala at the Museum of Natural History, where HM Queen is honored with the title "Person of the Year ". Moreover the visit includes the UN headquarters and the view on a selection of Danish design at the Museum of Modern Art.

On 11 June Prince Henrik is in Solvang, California to celebrate the city's 100th anniversary. He will also visit Stanford University and the Danish Innovation Center in Palo Alto in Silicon Valley.

source: kongehuset.dk​

 

[Muhler]

(...)

According to a note in Billed Bladet #21, 2011, QMII and Prince Henrik have been invited by Michelle Obama for a cup of coffee in the forenoon in the White House. It is hoped President Obama will join them as well.

There is no mentioning of when this will take place.

- Something like that is to be expected. According to the diplomatic protocol, a foreign head of state, who is visiting a country in the official capacity of head of state, will also greet the head of state of that country. That is simply common curtesy.
The problem with USA is that the President is the leader of the administration as well as head of state, so he can be pretty busy and often on the move, sometimes making such meetings a little problematic.

There are of course exceptions. Had QMII been invited to USA by the UN, or just going to an event in UN, in New York, she would not be obliged to visit the US head of state, even though she is entering US territory to get to UN.
That is a way to avoid akward situations where heads of states who are less than welcome in USA, needs to be recieved, greeted and sometimes aknowledged by the US President.

 

[dazzling]

The visit says it ends on the 11th, according to the latest calendar entry, Prince Consort has a few events on June 13 in California while the Queen has an event on June 14 in Denmark. Maybe the Prince Consort will stay a few more days in the States without the Queen?

 

[dazzling]

Source: Kongehuset

The official program​

Application to Her Majesty the Queen and His Royal Highness the Prince Consort's visit to U.S..

Monday 6 June 2011
Visit Washington DC

RC. Danish Embassy
Cl. 19.00
The royal couple take part in a reception in the Ambassador's residence.

Tuesday 7th June 2011
HM the Queen's program
National Museum of American History
Cl. 09.30
HM The Queen arrives at the National Museum of American History. HM The Queen displayed the exhibition "The Star-Spangled Banner" and the maritime exhibition "On the Water".

HRH the Prince Consort's program
Mil-Tek
Cl. 09.30
HRH Prince Henrik arrive in Mil-Tek, where there will be a tour of the company.

Common Curriculum
USS Sequoia Presidential Yacht
Cl. 12.00
The royal couple participates in lunch with Vestas as host.

Library of Congress
Cl. 14.15
The royal couple arrives at the Library of Congress. Royal Couple inspect the library's collection of Hans Christian Andersen works in The Wilson Room. Towards omvisn ing Ithe Great Hall presented: The Declaration of Independence, The Constitution and The Bill of Rights.

HM the Queen's program
John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts
Cl. 15.20
HM The Queen arrives at The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, where Queen greets the RC. Danish Ballet. After featuring Mrs. Victoria Reggie Kennedy on tea and subsequent tour of the Kennedy Center.

Common Curriculum
John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts
Cl. 19.30
The royal couple will attend the premiere of "A Folk Tale" put forward by the Royal. Danish Ballet in The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts. Subsequent participant royal couple at the reception.

Wednesday 8th June 2011
Common Curriculum
Congress
Cl. 09.15
Meeting with Minority Whip Steny Hoyer, with subsequent tours in Congress.

The White House
Cl. 10.30
The royal couple visiting First Lady at the White House.

USS Sequoia - Gang Plank Marina
Cl. 11.45
Royal Couple press conference aboard the USS Sequoia.

Phillips Collection
Cl. 12.30
The royal couple participates in lunch with Terma as host.

Dinner
Cl. 19.00
The royal couple participating in dinner in the Ambassador's residence.

Thursday, 9 June 2011
Visit New York

UN Headquarters
Cl. 11.30
The royal couple arrives at UN headquarters, where there is a tour of Finn Juhl House by UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon, the Danish Ambassador Carsten Staur and chief architect of the Capital Master Plan Michael Adler Stein. Then submit royal couple courtesy visit to UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon with his wife.

Museum of Modern Art
Cl. 14.45
The royal couple participates in the design event "Reinventing Danish Classics" at the Museum of Modern Art. HM the Queen will announce the winner of the National Arts Foundation design competition for new furniture for Finn Juhl hall at the UN.

American Museum of Natural History
Cl. 18.45
The royal couple participates in Danish American Society Gala at American Museum of Natural History, where HM Queen honored with the title "Person of the Year".

Friday the 10th June 2011
HM the Queen's program
Lincoln Center Plaza
Cl. 10.00
HM The Queen arrives in Lincoln Center Plaza. Visit by the New York Philharmonic with the publication of Carl Nielsen concert and recording project. Here witness the launch of Queen concert and recording project by Alan Gilbert and Henry Rørdam and concert excerpts by the orchestra's newly appointed førsteklarinetist Ricardo Morales with klaverakkompangement.

Bikubenfonden Academic Guesthouse
Cl. 11.00
HM The Queen visited Bikubenfonden Academic Guest House, where there will be a tour and interview with the resident Danish elite students.

Lunch
Cl. 12.30
HM Queen participates in lunch for Friends of the Royal. Danish Ballet.

Scandinavia House
Cl. 16.00
HM The Queen visited Scandinavia House on the occasion of the American Scandinavian Foundation's 100-year anniversary.

HRH the Prince Consort's program
Maersk
Cl. 10.15
HRH Prince Henrik arrive for Maersk Inc., where there will be a tour and meeting with employees.

Arla Foods
Cl. 11.00
HRH Prince Henrik arrive at Arla Foods Inc., where there will be presentation of Arla Foods North America, and the tour and reception.

The Grand Café
Cl. 12.00
HRH the Prince Consort presents HRH Prince Consort honorary medal to Danish Crown.

Common Curriculum
Georg Jensen
Cl. 17.00
The royal couple arrives at the Georg Jensen shop on Madison Avenue. The royal couple is shown exhibit "Centuries of Sterling Icons".

Saturday 11th June 2011
HRH the Prince Consort's program
HRH the Prince Consort departing from Santa Barbara, California, where the Prince Consort will attend the Solvang 100-year anniversary. Consort will also visit Stanford University and the Danish Innovation Center in Palo Alto in Silicon Valley.

 

[iceflower]

Day 1

Day 1 of the visit to the USA has started with a reception at the Danish Ambassador's
Residence on June 6, 2011 in Washington, DC.


** Pic 1 ** Pic 2 ** Pic 3 ** gettyimages/zimbio gallery **


** Billed-Bladet gallery: Regentparret i USA 1 **

 

[Kasumi]

Denmark's Queen Margrethe II receives a bouquet of flowers presented to her by Rose Gallay, 5, during a visit at the Smithsonian Institution's Museum of American History in Washington June 7, 2011.
**Pic** - credits Reuters
Gallery via daylife

 

[iceflower]

The gallery has also been updated with pics of the lunch time cruise on the Potomac River and of the
premiere of the Royal Danish Ballet at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts on June 7!


Here are some additional pics from yesterday from Billed-Bladet:


** Dronning Margrethe på Museum of American History i Washington **

 

[Australian]

No disrespect...but what on earth is the Queen wearing?!
Photos of Danish Queen's visit to Washington

 

[Zonk]

She's worn this before in Denmark I believe while on her annual summer vacation. It has been EXTREMELY hot in the DC area the last couple of days, so I am hoping that the dress is cool at least.

All of these events are happening in my general area but for some reason I didn't feel like going out and trying to catch a glimpse of the Queen. I know I will regret this later.

 

[dazzling]

Gallery from June 8, 2011
Daylife.com

U.S. first lady Michelle Obama has coffee with Denmark's Queen Margrethe (L) in the Yellow Oval Room of the White House in Washington June 8, 2011.
Picture

United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-moon (2nd R) poses for a photo in the UN Rose Garden with Queen Margrethe II (2nd L) of Denmark June 9, 2011 at the United Nations in New York. Also shown(L) Prince Henrik of Denmark and Ban's wife Yoo Soon-taek.

Daylife picture gallery

 

[Muhler]

A gallery from BT Henrik tog en slapper hos Obama | www.bt.dk

I had no idea the US President has a yacht. I.e. USS Sequoia.

 

[roseroyal]

Neither did I!

 

[Muhler]

Neither did I!

Well, I checked wikipedia: USS Sequoia (presidential yacht) - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

And according to this article USS sequioa is a yacht formerly at disposal by the US presidents. It was however sold during President Carter's time in office.

I thought USS XXXX was only used by serving and retired navy ships, not vessels that are privately owened.

Anyway, Jyllands Posten has an article from QMII and PH meeting the press onboard USS Sequoia: Ikke et ord om det svenske kongehus

QMII, was not very forwarding when asked to comment on the issues in the SRF!
Her facial expression became tense: "You know what, (*) If you are associating someone and are close to someone as family, you never involve outsiders".
As for how the press had been handling the matter, she said: "I really think we should leave that subject".

Prince Henrik has become hoarse, that happened on the way to USA.
QMII praised as expected the welcome they have been recieved with in USA and also the Royal Danish Ballet who are currently performing in USA, with the national play: A Folks Tale. (**)

The rules about smoking are more strickt in USA than in DK, to that QMII said: "I smoke where I can (***)" adding that she can go without a cigarette when she has to, and: "But it is after all more fun, when you can (smoke)".

Does the Regent Couple travel as man and wife?
QMII: "We always travel as man and wife":
PH: "We work in the same firm".
QMII: "And on the same boat", referring to the yacht.

As for the coffee with the first lady, QMII said: "That went well and easily. Mrs. Obama was very friendly and hearty/cordially. She offered a cup of coffee and we had a pleasant and relaxed conversation".

(*) She might just have said: "Now, listen"! The meaning is the same, just expressed more politely.

(**) Now, I know nothing about ballet. I understand however that the Danish Royal Ballet, dance accoring to the school of Bournonville, as one of the very few, if not the only major ballet in the world. In that sense I guess we can lable their style as classical, classical ballet.

(***) I can just imagine QMII rushing into the Danish embassy, or whereever she's staying, and the first thing she does is to light a cigarette, inhaling all of it in one go, before lighting up the next...

 

[Sternchen]

Is Rose Gad still the Primaballerina?

 

[dazzling]

Henrik, Prince Consort of Denmark and Denmark's Queen Margrethe II attend the Danish American Society Gala at the American Museum of Natural History June 9, 2011.

Daylife picture gallery

 

[Muhler]

Thanks, Dazzling

A gallery from BT: Se billederne: Dronning Margrethe med hjelm på | www.bt.dk

This time from the UN building in New York, where some renovation is taking place.

 

[dazzling]

Queen Margrethe II of Denmark and Prince Henrik of Denmark arrive at the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) before a ceremony June 09, 2011 announcing the winner of a competition to design new furniture for the UN Headquarters' Trusteeship Council Chamber. The designers invited to participate are Danish, as the Chamber was originally designed and furbished by the respected Danish architect Finn Juhl (1912-1984) ? one of the most significant representatives for Danish and Scandinavian Design.

ANP pictures

Image Upper.com - Free Image Hosting - View Image
Image Upper.com - Free Image Hosting - View Image
Image Upper.com - Free Image Hosting - View Image

Denmark's Queen Margrethe II greets guests James and Lisbeth McCoy before a luncheon for Friends of the Royal Danish Ballet and Avery Fisher Hall at Lincoln Center in New York June 10, 2011.

Daylife.com picture gallery

 

[gerry]

Well, I checked wikipedia: USS Sequoia (presidential yacht) - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
(...)

Thanks for this and for highlighting a very interesting point. I believe that in the United States, it is illegal to smoke in any public building. Although the Danish embassy is of course Danish territory, I wonder whether HM The Queen would be allowed to smoke in her own embassy? Do you have similar strict rules about smoking in public Danish buildings?

 

[Muhler]

Thanks for this and for highlighting a very interesting point. I believe that in the United States, it is illegal to smoke in any public building. Although the Danish embassy is of course Danish territory, I wonder whether HM The Queen would be allowed to smoke in her own embassy? Do you have similar strict rules about smoking in public Danish buildings?

Well, I'm a non-smoker myself, so I'm not absolutely sure about the rules.
You are not allowed to smoke in bars and restaurants unless they are under a certain size.
However I know about rules in workplaces.
It is not allowed to subject employees to the hazards of passive smoking. Period!
So those employees who wish to smoke either has to:
A) Go to a specially made room with proper ventilation.
B) Go outside, where ashtrays have been set up.
C) Leave the premesis of the workplace altogether.

- This rule apply to all workplaces, also workplaces which at the same time is a private home.
That means that if a cleaner, craftsman or someone else enter your home in a profesional capacity, you are not allowed to subject that person to passive smoking and as such you have to go to a part of your home where that person will not enter or go outside.
I emphasized all workplaces because palaces are also considered workplaces. There was some interest in how QMII were to deal with that, being a smoker herself. - I don't know.

Mrs. Muhler know a lot about this problem in professional capacity, as a lot of elderly smoke and you can hardly kick them outside while an employee from the municipality works in their home. So a kind of compromise has been made. If the elderly does not smoke when someone is there and the home is ventilated and most importantly, the employee does not complain, then you generally close your eyes.
Something similar applies for craftsmen. It's bad for business to demand the costumer can't smoke at all in their own home during a period where some work is going on.
My guess is that the DRF has reached a similar compromise with their employees.

Billed-Bladet - I dag fejrer prins Henrik fødselsdag i Californien
Prince Henrik turned 77 yesterday and that was celebrated in the "Danish colony" of Solvang in California.

To be more precise in Rusack Wineyard in Solvang. The Danish ambassador to USA, Peter Taksøe-Jensen and Christian Eugen Olsen were among the guests.
QMII managed to wish her husband a happy birthday before flying home to DK.

The BB reporter covering this visit is Annelise Weimann, whom Prince Henrik knows very well after so many years.
At the hotel Carlyle, where the Regent Couple were staying, she and the photographer sang the Birthday song to Prince Henrik, some from the court and hotel employees joined in with the English song: Happy Birthday. Delighting Prince Henrik: "I'm very moved. It's incredibly nice of you to remember my birthday".
Prince Henrik's voice is still very hoarse.

Billed-Bladet - BILLED-BLADET sang for prins Henrik

BB is up.

The Danish birthday song, which is used for children - and their parents: (I apologize to those who are not tone deaf) YouTube - ‪Dantes 3 års fødselsdag - fødselsdagssang‬‏

 

[dazzling]

Picture gallery of Prince Henrik in California June 11, 2011
Click here to see

 

[Muhler]

Thank you, Dazzling

http://www.bt.dk/royale/jo-vi-ved-skam-godt-hvem-prins-henrik-er
BT is also covering the birthday. Both with a number of pictures and with a pretty frank and funny article. As such, I'll translate it:

Jo, vi ved skam godt hvem Prins Henrik - Yes, we do know who Prince Henrik is.
Written by Morten Bay.

There has rarely been so much action in the Danish-American town of Solvang, as when Prince Henrik came to town.
"What's going on", a young American tourist shouted and hurried to get out of the way along with his sweetheart, before the crowd trampled them under foot.
Solvang, the Danish colony located two hours north of Los Angeles in California, was turned upside down. Because Prince Henrik had come to town in order to celebrate both his own and the town's birthday. Solvang can celebrate it's 100th anniversary later this year, the Prince however only turned 77 on this day. For that reason master baker, Bent Olsen, who came to Solvang more than forty years ago, had made a big and nice birthday cake.
Prince Henrik was presented with the cake during a grand event in the town's park, where all creatures great and small from Solvang and surroundings had gathered in order to meet the Prince Consort.
He arrived in style in two big black SUV's with police escort and any moment you expected Jack Baur to leap out from one of the cars.
The local horn orchestra, Valley Wind Orchestra, attempeted a snail (slow) version of Champagnegaloppen = The Champagne Galop, and Der er et Yndigt Land = There is a Lovely Country = the national anthem, which the local soprano of the town sang in sparkling ameri-danish. It took some guts to make it through Valley Wind Orchestra's massacre of the Danish musical treasures, but Prince Henrik took it in his stride and with a stoic calmness.

After that he went on stage and recieved a gift from the town's mayor. That was, very traditionally, the key to the town of Solvang, which made Prince Henrik to, pretty funnily to begin his speech with the words: "That'll be of great help when I drop by without being invited".

Rie Nyborg and Marie Hensen were among the very few Danes present. They live in California and Switzerland and it was more a coincidence that they were present:
"We were sitting and planning a wine-tasting trip of the area, when we noticed Prince Henrik was coming, So we thought it would be fun to drop by".
Not so much for Barbara Evans, who live in Solvang and like so many in the town, haven't got any Danish ancestors at all: "Yes, we do know who Prince Henrik is, It says so here in the programme"! She said and wawed with the folder made by the PR-people of Solvang for the occassion.

After having tasted his birthday cake and heard all of Solvang sing along to "Happy Birthday", the tour went through Solvang on foot down to the new Centennial Plaza, a small square dedicated to Solvang's 100th anniversary, which was to inaugurated by Prince Henrik.
And it was here a young couple of sweethearts were almost trampled down by photographers, journalists, bodyguards (PET was there as well) and officials with Prince Henrik in the middle as the natural centre of attention.
Later in the evening the Prince were to visit Rusack Vineyards and taste the wine which the area of Solvang is mostly known for. The day after the whole expedition were going north. Monday awaits a visit to Silicon Valley, among others to the elctrical car factory Tesla.

- Pure holiday to translate this article.

ADDED: From Santa Maria Times, we have this account: http://www.santamariatimes.com/news/local/592fc85c-94b8-11e0-affe-001cc4c002e0.html

 

[FasterB]

(**) Now, I know nothing about ballet. I understand however that the Danish Royal Ballet, dance accoring to the school of Bournonville, as one of the very few, if not the only major ballet in the world. In that sense I guess we can lable their style as classical, classical ballet.

August Bournonvillle was Ballet Master at the Danish Royal Ballet 1836-1877.

Read more
Danish: August Bournonville - Wikipedia, den frie encyklopædi
English: August Bournonville - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

 

[Muhler]

Thanks FasterB

And we have another gallery of Prince Henrik celebrating his birthday in Solvang. This time from Berlinske Tidende: Fødselar i højt humør i Solvang | www.b.dk

I can add that one of the nicknames for Prince Henrik is Kaptajn Vom = Der Captain, from the well known figure in the cartoon: The Katzenjammer Kids.
The Katzenjammer Kids - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Vom is very old (but still in use) Danish slang for a big belly. I believe the nickname has become more loving in recent years...

 

[Muhler]

Prince Henrik is still in USA: Prins Henrik trådte speederen i bund - Royale - BT.dk

This time visiting the Tesla factory in Silicon Valley. And here he tried a Tesla Roadster, an electrical sports car.
After squeesing himself into the car, admiting that: "The difficult part will be to get out again", he took off, with the manager of the factory by his side, leaving diplomats, PET officers, adjutant and the press behind in the dust.
An electrical car accellerates faster than a fuel driven car, says the article.
A Tesla Roadster costs 500.000 DKK (5 DKK = 1 US $), before Danish taxes! The price, with taxes? Take a deep breath, and multiply the above amount with three....

During the tour of the plant, PH put the manager in an akward position by pointing out that the Chinese are also pretty far in regards to electrical cars and batteries, Leading the manager to mumble something about American and Chinese innovation.

Anyway, Prince Henrik returned from his little trip with a big smile on his lips: "The last time I drove something similar is 40-50 years ago".

Then it was off to the Danish Innovation Centre, were H were to inaugurate some new rooms. - And that concluded the agenda for his visit to California.

 

[Muhler]

A gallery from Billed Bladet about the various outfits QMII wore in USA: https://picasaweb.google.com/billedbladet/DetHavdeMargrethePaIUSA

 

[Muhler]

Summary of a number of articles in Billed Bladet #23 & 24, 2011.
All written by Annelise Weimann.

As you know The Regent Couple went on an official visit to USA and this summary covers the part of the visit made by the Regent Couple, not Prince Henrik going solo.
I would be delighted if American members can add details or corrections. I’m personally very interested in the protocol and traditions regarding foreign heads of states that are received in the White House.

And let’s start with that. QMII and Prince Henrik were invited for a cup of forenoon tea at the White House by Michelle Obama, at 10.30 to be exact. The photographers pooled and it was the BB photographer Jesper Sunesen who was chosen. They are very pleased with that at BB!
Anyway despite the fact that he must have been able to hear what was said there is no account of that in the articles and I guess that was part of the deal.
The Regent Couple was invited for a tour of the private part of the official residence. Not the Obama’s private apartment of course.
According to the article it’s unusual for foreign visitors to be invited to this part of the White House. The pictures will no doubt surface on the BB site shortly; in the meantime these are the rooms, which were a part of the tour.
First the Music room. An elongated room with a piano and modern art on the walls.
Then the Inner Room that being located above the Oval Office is also oval and it was here tea was served. This room is held in light yellow tone.
The DRF staff waited downstairs. QMII said afterwards: “It was really amusing (*) to see. Mrs. Obama showed us parts of the White House that are usually not shown off”.
On the way out The Regent Couple saw the oval room in which new ambassadors are received. (**)
The temperature in Washington that day was a blistering 40 degrees C.

The visit started Monday the 6. June. The Regent Couple had barely left the plane before it was off to the Danish embassy, where a reception with 350 guests were held, almost filling the embassy to capacity.

Tuesday 7. June: They started out in the morning with an exhibition at the Museum for American History. This one about the maritime history of USA, from slave ships to modern shipping. This exhibition is sponsored by A. P. Møller Mærsk. QMII was on the occasion dressed in a dress with maritime motives. – That dress is several years old as I’ve seen her wear it on a TV programme from Dannebrog.
At that museum is also an exhibition with the dresses worn by the various First Ladies from the ball on the inauguration day.
The same day they visited the Library of Congress. It was among a number of selected books that PH spotted a book he had written and offered to sign it, which he did. (***) The leader of the Democrats in the Congress, Steny Hoyer, is Danish-American and he gave the Regent Couple a tour of the Congress. (****)
QMII being very interested in ballet, not least the style of ballet danced by the Royal Ballet, went to the J. F. Kennedy Center to watch the ballet rehearse for the premiere. And she got the best possible seat! On stage. At the center she also met Vicky Kennedy, who is a member of the board and who gave QMII a tour of the center.
In the evening they saw the ballet, performing the Danish national play: A Folks Tale and QMII said afterwards: “I think it was a fantastic experience and it went so well”. QMII admitted later that she is hardly unbiased.

Wednesday, 8. June: QMII went to the museum Phillips Collection and being very interested in art, she took her time looking at the paintings and thoroughly enjoyed herself.
In the evening there was a dinner at the Danish embassy for Danish consuls in USA. Consuls are not paid, they serve for the honor.

Thursday, 9. June: Off to New York, where it was hot too. Here they visited the UN building and were met by the UN General Secretary Ban Ki-moon, who took them for a tour of the building. Mrs. Ban was host at a lunch later.
The UN building is currently undergoing some much-needed renovation and the Regent Couple saw the progress of that as well. One of the rooms being renovated was designed by a Danish architect, Finn Juhl. And at the Museum for Modern Art, MoHa, it was revealed who had won a competition about being the architect who will be responsible for renovating the room, mentioned above. The winners were two Danish architects, Carsten Salto and Thomas Sigsgaard.

Friday, 10. June: Here QMII met conductor of the New York Philharmonics, Alan Gilbert, who delighted the Queen by informing her that he intends to record all Carl Nielsen’s symphonies and concerts.
The Danish bank Bikuben, has sponsored the stay in New York for thirteen Danish elite students and QMII met four of them.
There is also a Georg Jensen exhibition in New York right now, which the Regent Couple opened on this their 44th anniversary. In connection with the opening a singer, Oh Land, sang some songs. (*****)

Saturday, 11 June: (******) Prince Henrik’s birthday and he left Hotel Carlyle, where the Regent Couple had stayed while in New York and in the foyer, the BB reporter gave him a book of poems and sang the birthday song to him, accompanied by adjutants and others from the court. Hotel employees contributed with English birthday song, visibly delighting Prince Henrik. Who then went on to California.

The press conference took place onboard USS Sequoia, which until the 70’s was used as a yacht for the US President. It was here in 1974 that President Nixon decided to resign.
Part of the press meeting has already been covered but here are a couple of more Q&A:
QMII said: “It’s amusing to be back in Washington after twenty years and we are really happy to be here. We have been received with incredible hospitality from all sides”.
Q: Do you yourself have an influence on the schedule?
QMII: “It’s first and foremost a question of lying down a schedule which enable you to cover as much as possible. – There are official sides, there is the business side, which the Prince Consort in particular takes care of and then the cultural, which I’m allowed (to deal with)”.
Q: Do you never feel an urge to say: Today we’ll do something different? Everything is after all planned for you.
PH: “That’s right, but that’s because we have approved it. When we journey we like to see as much as possible, so it’s actually our own fault. We can of course say no to those who plan the schedule, but we don’t”!
Before boarding USS Sequoia at the Marina, where she is moored, the news about the Regent Couple had reached other boat owners, who waved Dannebrog. That led to PH to stop and chat with some of the boat owners, leaving QMII a captain and four bodyguards to wait patiently.

While the Regent Couple was in New York, the Danish American Society at a gala party made QMII Person of the Year. Lisa Resling Halpern presented QMII, wearing a dress by Birgitte Thaulow, with the award.
Then it was party time! The Regent Couple danced their shoes thin and apparently had such a great time that they stayed much longer than expected. (*******)
Prince Philippos also showed up at the party. He works in the finance sector in New York.
Dancers from the Pantomime Theatre in Copenhagen entertained followed by the singer, Malena Belafonte. It was her eight-year-old daughter, Serafina, who was the obligatory flower girl.

- And this concludes this weeks coverage from Billed Bladet.

(*) Morsomt = Amusing, one of QMII’s most favorite expressions. Just as “fantastic” is a favorite expression of M&F.

(**) All these oval rooms begin to confuse me! There are four oval rooms in the White House, right?

(***) Wonder how much of a coincidence it was that this particular book just happened to be among those exhibited?

(****) Is he a senator or a representative?

(*****) I understand she’s made quite a name for herself in the states. Personally I find her songs more boring than counting needles on a cactus. – Metallica with their interpretation of Whiskey in the Jar is much better…

(******) Also the Devil’s birthday, at least according to Danish tradition. Being the Devil, he’s got birthday twice a year, on the same days the mortgage is due.

(*******) Does the old rule about no cognac/brandy to the second cup of coffee = goodbye, still apply?

 

[muriel]

Did HM not meet President Obama?

 

[Madame Royale]

(******) Also the Devil’s birthday, at least according to Danish tradition. Being the Devil, he’s got birthday twice a year, on the same days the mortgage is due.

.lol. Nice one, Muhler

Thanks ever so much for yet again, your wonderful contributions.

 

[Muhler]

Did HM not meet President Obama?

No, unfortunately he didn't have time.

You are most welcome, Madame Royal

 

[Zonk]

Steny Hoyer is a member of the House of Representatives. So while he is not a United States Senator he is a part of the House leadership where he holds the position of Minority Whip. A great Marylander (as am I not great just a Marylander). He used to represent my district until I moved.

Anway, I had no idea he was Danish American?! How fantastic is that!