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Denmark

Crown Princess Mary hosts Christmas reception for Mary Foundation partners

Crown Princess Mary of Denmark has held the annual Christmas reception for the partners of the Mary Foundation at Frederik VIII’s Palace in the Amalienborg Palace complex in Copenhagen.

This year’s reception took place on Thursday, 5 December with partners enjoying glögg and apple slices as a thank you for their work with the Mary Foundation (Mary Fonden in Danish) over the past year.

Mary is seen greeting Poul Madsen, partner PwC and the Mary Foundation’s auditor. Photo: Steen Brogaard/Mary Foundation

The annual event allows Mary to personally thank those who have helped her foundation like Johanne Schmidt-Nielsen, Secretary-General of the Save the Children and Lars Svenning Andersen, Chairman of the Save the Children, who were both at the event.

Mary with Johanne Schmidt-Nielsen, Secretary-General of the Save the Children and Lars Svenning Andersen, Chairman of the Save the Children. Photo: Steen Brogaard/Mary Foundation

The Mary Foundation (Mary Fonden) was founded in 2007 by Crown Princess Mary of Denmark. After her wedding to Crown Prince Frederick, the people of Denmark and Greenland raised and donated close to £123,000 (1.1 million Danish kroner) in celebration of the union as a national gift. This money was, in turn, used partially to create the Mary Foundation.

Photo: Steen Brogaard/Mary Foundation

The Mary Foundation focuses on three major points: Bullying and Well-being, Domestic Violence, and Loneliness. Its mission is to “combat social isolation – based on the belief that everyone has a right to belong,” according to their official website.

You can read more about the Mary Foundation in our charity spotlight here.

The Crown Princess speaks to Michelle Kolls, Head of Department and midwife at the Family Ambulatory, Hvidovre Hospital. Photo: Steen Brogaard/Mary Foundation

The day after the reception, Mary began her first period serving as head of state in Queen Margrethe’s absence. The Crown Princess will be the head of state from 6 December through 8 December.

About author

Brittani is from Tennessee, USA. She is a political scientist and historian after graduating with a degree in the topics from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, in December 2014. She also holds a master's degree from Northeastern University. She enjoys reading and researching all things regarding the royals of the world. She's been researching, reading, and writing on royalty for over a decade. She became Europe Editor in October 2016, and then Deputy Editor in January 2019, and has been featured on several podcasts, radio shows, news broadcasts and websites including Global News Canada, ABC News Australia, WION India and BBC World News.