On the final day of their summer tour, King Frederik and Queen Mary sailed into Kolby Kås Harbour and they were all smiles for the end of a successful visit which has seen them greeted by big crowds.
Love hearts for a king and queen
The last stops on their four day tour were pleased to see them – at one point they were greeted by a chalkboard with their names on it and covered in love hearts. It was an appropriate choice for a couple who are about to mark 25 years since they first met and fell in love.
There was also another carriage ride for the royal couple who took to the rather regal form of transport to head to Tranebjerg for an official welcome ceremony at Anton Rosens Hus and Anton Rosens Plads.
The royal couple then visited ExamVision, a magnifying glass production company for dentists and doctors around the world. They were given a tour of the facilities and learned more about the production of the magnifying glasses.
Afterwards, King Frederik and Queen Mary visited Tranebjerg Church. The nave and chancel date from the 14th century and some of the frescoes inside were also made in the 1300s. It’s a tranquil and beautiful spot now but some elements of the church suggest it had different uses in its long history.
The tower of the church, built in the mid 16th century, includes arrow slits and round arched openings which could be indicative of it being used defensively. The tower itself is huge, measuring 28 metres in height, while the thickness of its 2 metre walls also hints that it had strategic purposes when built.
King Frederik and Queen Mary also saw the two organs, more modern additions to the church with both arriving in the 20th century, and a votive ship which was installed by local patrons.
Near the church is its graveyard where ten British soldiers killed during World War Two are laid to rest.
The best of Danish cuisine for Frederik and Mary
After their visit to the church, King Frederik and Queen Mary had lunch at a far more modern building. They were hosted at Brundby Rockhotel, a venue that hosts concerts in the area and which has become iconic since it was remodelled byTurid Hanevold Nielsen and Poul Krebs. There are plenty of rock references around the hotel including the famous ”Stairway to Heaven” suite on the top floor.
It’s also celebrated for its food, which was handy as it became a royal lunch stop. It’s known for its Danish cuisine which uses fresh, local ingredients. It also has a well known pancake house.
In the afternoon, the royal couple heard about the municipality’s green plan at Brundby Stubmølle, a plan for “sustainable use of Samsø’s areas with a holistic view of nature, agriculture and development,” according to the Danish Royal Court.
Their final engagement in the municipality was a visit to Nordby, to tour the clock tower and walk to the street pond, where they met local food producers.
In the evening, King Frederik and Queen Mary hosted a reception aboard the Danneborg in Kolby Kås Harbour as the summer tour came to an end.
