Opening of Parliament (Folketinget) 2003-2023

[Archduchess Zelia]

They all looked great today! I never fail to be impressed with their ability to stay awake – I'm half asleep just thinking about sitting through such an extended amount of drivel And kudos to Benedikte for saving it on the stairs.

Margrethe was seen taken the elevator up instead of the stairs. It's the first time I think. She get's older, and it goes fast now.

IIRC she's actually been taking the elevator for a couple of years now – since the opening of the parliament in 2013, I believe. I seem to recall seeing her come out of an elevator with Mogens Lykketoft

No, as a consolation prize for loosing the last election, she became a member of the presidium. - That and three pints of freshly tapped blood every week...

Classy remark... I'd hardly call it a consolation prize though. A place in the presidium is more than well-earned for a former PM.

 

[MARG]

I have to admit there were only two moments that made me go hmm and a few that made me giggle.

The first "hmm" was Princess Marie grabbing Joachim by the suit sleeve and pulling him from behind her and shoving him around and back beside his Aunt where he stood like a chastened child until Fred arrived and greeted him. Is he in the dog box or does Marie wear the pants in that family?

The second was Benedikte's near fall on the stairs. Thank goodness for the gentleman from the Presidium who steadied her. She is such an elegant and almost serene woman and seems to always be there for her sister. Kudos.

I had to smile at the way all the members of the RF managed the greetings. They seem to automatically double kiss if no hat brim or single as for Benedikte and Mary.

The still shots of Margrethe greeting Fred were funny and quite different to that seen on the video. In the still shot, Fred seemed to have turned his face away so far he was almost tilted backwards like a little boy. I almost expected him to go "eww gross!" like a kid after getting kissed.

 

[Nordic]

I have to admit there were only two moments that made me go hmm and a few that made me giggle.

The first "hmm" was Princess Marie grabbing Joachim by the suit sleeve and pulling him from behind her and shoving him around and back beside his Aunt where he stood like a chastened child until Fred arrived and greeted him. Is he in the dog box or does Marie wear the pants in that family?
.

Yes, that part looked a bit "hmmm".

 

[Muhler]

My personal opinion is that the right way to prevent any of the scenarios you described above. e.g. a fascist government taking over the country, is not to have a residual royal veto power, but rather to have constitutionally entrenched rights protected by an independent Constitutional Court as it is the case e.g. in the United States, the Federal Republic of Germany and, incidentally, if I am not mistaken , also now in the Kingdom of Sweden, which is the only monarchy in Europe that has formally abolished the royal veto power.

By the way, looking back at European history, in several countries that experienced the rise of fascist or similar right-wing populist regimes, e.g. Italy, Spain, Romenia, Bulgaria and Greece, the monarch either openly backed the regime or was otherwise unable to stop it. In other words, it seems to me that royal prerogative is rather ineffective in situations you describe as any attempt to use it against the wishes of an authoritarian government would simply cause the monarchy to be overthrown.

It's fascinating topic.

And I disagree with your conclusion.
Because the surviving monarchies today are in contrast to the monarchies prior to WWII, deeply entrenched in the democracy and they have a much closer interaction and feeling for the ordinary people than before. Add to that the benefit of hindsight, which we have today of political extremism in whatever form it may come.
Not to mention that the monarchies know first hand what can be the result of political instability. - They risk loosing the crown.

Classy remark... I'd hardly call it a consolation prize though. A place in the presidium is more than well-earned for a former PM.

That's odd, I don't seem to be able to multi-qoute.

Whatever, yes a membership of the Presidium of the Parliament is a very honorable post.
The Chairman is the highest post someone outside the DRF can hold. And outranks even the PM.
The other four members of the Presidium are selected from among the four largest parties. The Social Democrats, to which the former PM belonged is currently the largest party.
Interesting in this years context is that the extreme left-wing Unity List also has a member of the Presidium. The Unity List are staunchly republican and while the rest of the party's members opts to enter the hall, after the DRF has sat down (so they won't have to stand up as a sign of respect for the DRF), their member of the Presidium who represent the Parliament was duty-bound to receive the DRF.

 

[polyesco]

a few more photos
the DRF walking inside the building
https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ZiQh7RAUPDY/V_PvWysrfBI/AAAAAAAAioI/vRfyN0llyKUbfGqxD4DTENJzKi2CDRetACLcB/s1600/%2521%2BFoto%2BHASSE%2BFERROLD%2BFOLKETINGETS%2B%25C3%2585BNING%2B%2B4%2B10%2B2016%2B7a.jpg
https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-aWsf5v38...LD+FOLKETINGETS+%C3%85BNING++4+10+2016+8a.jpg
https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-qtE6m1s7...LD+FOLKETINGETS+%C3%85BNING++4+10+2016+9a.jpg
https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Zc1pJQL4...D+FOLKETINGETS+%C3%85BNING++4+10+2016+10a.jpg

Mary's curtsy to the Queen
https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3T8cDGiH...LD+FOLKETINGETS+%C3%85BNING++4+10+2016+2a.jpg

waiting
https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-f7khTbXM...LD+FOLKETINGETS+%C3%85BNING++4+10+2016+3a.jpg
https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0l8Zhmmf...D+FOLKETINGETS+%C3%85BNING++4+10+2016+21a.jpg

the Crown Prince
https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Dh18PkiH...LD+FOLKETINGETS+%C3%85BNING++4+10+2016+4a.jpg

and as usual, today there is a Council of State at Christiansborg Palace, for the Queen and Frederik

 

[Muhler]

Thanks, Polyesco.

So it was Joachim who was escorted by the member of the Unity List.

 

[Nordic]

Thanks, Polyesco.
So it was Joachim who was escorted by the member of the Unity List.

And the poor man from the Unity List (I call them communists), in jeans and no tie, had to present a bouquet of flowers too, to a member of the DRF... How was he able to sleep the next night

 

[tommy100]

I wondered who he was when I watched the video, he was clearly trying to make a point in the way he greeted the royals, polite but no deference of any kind, no bowing of the neck, no small talk. It all makes sense now.

I've always thought the greetings on the steps would end with someone getting hurt, a narrow miss for Benedikte there thankfully.

 

[iceflower]

.

An article from the Dailymail:


** You can leave your hat on! Princess Mary and the Danish royals attend the opening of parliament in style **

 

[Nora80b]

is there any live stream link of the opening of the Danish Parliament that is going to be held tomorrow Tuesday 3rd October? I have checked the official website and doesn't seem to have further information..

 

[Muhler]

There usually is.

Both public service networks can be expected to air live.
That is DR1 and TV2. - I'm sure our newsdiggers will provide a link tomorrow.
BB may also show live from the opening.

 

[annekasmum]

is there any live stream link of the opening of the Danish Parliament that is going to be held tomorrow Tuesday 3rd October? I have checked the official website and doesn't seem to have further information..

BILLED-BLADET online says that it will be broadcasting live tomorrow morning

 

[Duke of Marmalade]

BILLED-BLADET online says that it will be broadcasting live tomorrow morning

here we go
VIDEO: De kongelige ankommer til Folketingets åbning | BILLED-BLADET

QM is wearing her teletubby hat again

 

[eya]

And a nice Gallery from today


https://www.rexfeatures.com/livefeed/2017/10/03/state_opening_of_parliament,_copenhagen

http://kongehuset.dk/foto-video/folketingets-aabning-0

 

[Dman]

here we go
VIDEO: De kongelige ankommer til Folketingets åbning | BILLED-BLADET

QM is wearing her teletubby hat again

Whoever made that hat and told Her Majesty that she should wear it, face deserves to be slapped, lol. The things she wear sometimes is beyond puzzling.

 

[MidwestMom]

Well, she is an artist, so I guess we'll just have to accept it as ''artistic expression.'' Everyone else looks nice, though. Benedikte is always elegant.

 

[polyesco]

Videos of the DRF arriving and taking their seats

https://www.facebook.com/video.php?v=558395724499013

https://www.facebook.com/video.php?v=10155469286532928

video of Frederik and Mary arrival, nice overview of the courtyard
https://media.scribblelive.com/2017/10/3/306551c0-64a3-4c86-b15f-c4507fe17e23.mp4

galleries
SE BILLEDERNE: Royale til stor dansk begivenhed
sn.dk
Belga Image

Frederik and Mary
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/DLNKilnXcAAW6iF.jpg
https://www.instagram.com/p/BZyNpLNDHYG/
Handsome Frederik
http://0.t.cdn.belga.be/belgaimage:127976212:1800x650:w?v=59cd0cae&m=eamfgklp

Inside Christiansborg
https://www.instagram.com/p/BZyBh46hrYa/
https://www.instagram.com/p/BZyA1jfBigE/
https://www.instagram.com/p/BZyIRSDhbLM/

the DRF leaving
https://www.instagram.com/p/BZyOqnfFAx6/

 

[iceflower]

.

Here's another gallery of today's opening:


** ppe gallery **

 

[Muhler]

Thanks for the pics and clips.

I noticed a little elegant detail. When Benedikte had walked up the stairs and stood at the repos, she discreetly began to chat up those nearest to her. - It looks sloppy if she was just standing there on the repos, alone and abandoned - and Benedikte is never sloppy.

The Constitution says that the Parliament opens after the summer holiday on the first Tuesday of October.

The DRF are met at the bottom of the stairs, as the honored guests they are, by the Chairman/Speaker of the Parliament and the Presidium of the Parliament. The members of the Presidium consists of representatives of the four or five largest parties - in order of size. That is: the largest party representative is the second chairman and so on.
The Chairman, - woman in this case, presents flowers to QMII. The second chairman presents flowers to Mary, because she always holds the same rank as her husband. Which is also why Mary was escorted up the stairs and into the Parliament, right behind Frederik, rather than behind Joachim and Benedikte who are in line of succession.
The same thing applies to our Marie, who holds the same rank, protocol wise, as her husband, so she walked in front of Benedikte.

Once inside the nestor of the Parliament takes the rostrum. The chairman of the Parliament is confirmed as being in charge. (That is: There are no one opposing the chairman).
The Chairman takes the rostrum and welcomes all present including the DRF and then give the floor to the Prime Minister, who in his speech give an overview of the current state of affairs of the country and then presents the vision and outline the upcoming policy of the government.
- That in contrast to say the British Parliament where it's the Monarch who speaks on behalf of her government.

While the PM speaks there is a longstanding tradition among photographers and cameramen to try and catch the DRF, but also MP's in situation where they look either bored stiff or nodding away. - And often they succeed.
Of course knowing the cameras are very much on them the DRF try to put on their most neutral face.

This year there was some entertainment. A demonstrator sitting in another gallery, interrupted the speech of the PM and threw flyers. He was quickly apprehended. - And is now charged under the penal code about disturbing the work of the Parliament.
I noticed the security was pretty heavy. The courtyard crawled with uniformed police as well as PET officers.

 

[Roskilde]

One more gallery from today :

https://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=746298555557563&id=235227816664642

 

[polyesco]

Nice gallery.

a few more pics
the DRF with members of Parliament
https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-aCI5f4zP...5BNING+3+10+2017+DRONNING+KGL+FAMILIE+11a.jpg
https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-oCmrUE9T...5BNING+3+10+2017+DRONNING+KGL+FAMILIE+12a.jpg
https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ezeevwyG...5BNING+3+10+2017+DRONNING+KGL+FAMILIE+13a.jpg
https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-wklN-uk5...5BNING+3+10+2017+DRONNING+KGL+FAMILIE+14a.jpg

 

[iceflower]

.

The dailymail has an article about the opening as well:


** dailymail: True blue! Princess Mary looks chic in a Sixties-style coat as she attends opening of Danish Parliament..**

 

[Hannelore]

Very professional. But also: forced smiles all over as the royals once again have to greet each other gleefully in front of the gathered press, live on TV. In truth princess Benedikte lost her husband a few months ago, prince Henrik suffers from dementia and Constantine of Greece is in very ill health which also seems to trouble him emotionally. I hope the 3 sisters can be of support to each other.

 

[polyesco]

as per usual after the opening council on Tuesday, there is a State Council today
Statsråd på Christiansborg Slot | Kongehuset

video and article from yesterday's opening
VIDEO: Se eller gense de kongeliges flotte ankomst til Folketingets åbning | BILLED-BLADET

 

[An Ard Ri]

Here's a video of the Queen & Danish Royal Family attending the opening of parliament from yesterday.

 

[Iain]

Here's a video of the Queen & Danish Royal Family attending the opening of parliament from yesterday.

How does the Queen have only one flag on her car yet the Crown Prince has two? Also, apart from some people gathered in the courtyard there are not many people on the street to watch as the Queen passes.

 

[Muhler]

Tomorrow is the first Tuesday in October and as such the day when the Parliament opens after the summer holiday.

The DRF are invited as guests of honor and as such they sit in the gallery, not on the floor. - The kings initially did that, but that caused resentment among a number of MP's who felt the kings were "intruding" on the Parliament.

It follows the same procedure as every year, but I'll go through it briefly for newbies.
The DRF members arrive in reversed order of precedence. I.e. Benedikte first, followed by Joachim and our Marie. Then M&F and finally QMII.

They will all be received at the bottom of the stairs by the Presidium of the Parliament. They consists of the Chairman of the Parliament, followed by the 2. 3. and so on chairman and also the manager of the Parliament. Who run the more practical things in regards to the Parliament - like buying paperclips, looking after the maintenance and keeping within budget.
The Chairman of the Parliament is elected among the MP's, while the rest of the presidium are appointed from the individual parties. I.e. the largest party supply the 2. chairman, the second largest party the 3. chairman and so on.

Having been received by the Presidium the DRF members walk up to the repos where they wait for the rest to join them, before they are all escorted inside. Again, that's in order ot precedence. The Chairman always escort the Monarch. The 2. chairman accompany the Crown Prince. The 3. chairman accompany the Crown Princess, because she in regards to the protocol holds the same rank as her husband. And so on. Benedikte will as such form the rearguard.

When the DRF enter their seats in the gallery the MP's are supposed to stand up as a sign of respect - some will opt to stay outside until the DRF have been seated. - We can discuss that tomorrow if you wish.

The Nestor of the Parliament will welcome the MP's and the DRF and preside over the formalities. Are their any objections against the Chairman and the Presidium. There isn't - that would be a sensation!
The Chairman, who is a woman, but who insist of being called Chairman, will give a short speech, welcoming everybody back for holiday, and especially extend a welcome to the DRF and then express a hope for a fruitful co-operation in the year to come. Then she will leave the floor for the PM, who basically will give a "state of the Realm" speech and outline some of the ambitions of the government for the next year.

While that happens the cameras will look among the MP's and especially the DRF, hoping to catch them in a moment where they look particularly bored, or even better napping.
That's tradition and has been a kind of standing joke for decades.

All this will be covered live and you can rest assured that someone will post links tomorrow.

 

[Muhler]

- Live links -

The DRF will arrive at the Parliament sometime shortly after 11.30. That's in 1½ hours from this is posted.

DR2 will show the whole thing live.
So are you able to watch what is going on in this link outside DK?
https://www.dr.dk/tv/live/dr2#!/,autoplay=true

If not Billed Bladet will also show live, but that will mainly be the actual reception outside the Parliament - and unlikely from inside the Parliament. I.e. when the DRF sit in the gallery.
BB has two links, which will be posted later in this post.
One link is from BB's own site.
And the other is from BB's YouTube account.
You should be able to watch that outside DK.

The tabloid BT may also show live, but that link I'll leave to someone else to dig up.

 

[Queen Claude]

 

[Muhler]

Thanks Queen Claude.

My Internet went down.

Not much to say. It is unfortunately raining.
I noticed QMII held on to the banister while walking up the main stairs inside the Parliament. Whether that is due to her balance or back is of course anyone's guess.