Princess Mary launches 2009 Christmas Seal

Crown Princess Mary yesterday launched the 2009 Christmas Seal (Julemærkefonden), at the Tivoli Amusement Park.

This year’s stamps were designed by Birgitte Els-Schleuder, who says her inspiration for the designs were “old poetic Christmas decorations.” Mary met with Els-Schleuder and several young girls from the Foundation homes at the launch, before revealing this year’s stamp.

The Crown Princess was joined by her mother-in-law’s first cousin, HE Count Ingolf of Rosenborg, and his second wife, HE Countess Sussie, for the launch. The Count and Countess are the patrons of the Christmas Seal March (Julemærkemarchen). The money raised by the Foundation through the stamps and the march go towards the Christmas Seal Foundation homes which assist sick children.

The world’s first Christmas Seal was released in Denmark in 1904, and bore a likeness to HM Queen Louise, the deceased wife of the then King Christian IX. The King had approved the idea of the Christmas Seal. Records show that over 4,000,000 stamps were sold in the first year; and by 1910, enough money had been raised to build the Kolding Christmas Seal Sanatorium, which houses ill children.

HRH has been patron of the Julemærkefonden since December 2004, attending the stamp launch each year since (except for 2005 when she was on maternity leave). View Mary’s Christmas Seal Foundation thread here.

Filed under Denmark
Tagged Christmas, Count Ingolf of Rosenborg, Countess Sussie of Rosenborg, Crown Princess Mary of Denmark, Patronage.

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