This week, Princess Marie has attended two Christmas-related events in Denmark.
On Tuesday, she attended Folkekirkens Nødhjælp’s Christmas party as their patron. Folkekirkens Nødhjælp organises, each year, a reception to thank every partner of the Foundation. Princess Marie has been the Patron of Folkekirkens Nødhjælp since 2011 and has attended the reception every year except in 2015.
Secretary-General Birgitte Qvist-Sørensen made the welcome speech and gave an insight into the Folkekirkens Nødhjælp’s work. Afterwards, the audience had the opportunity to hear Annette Heick’s recalling of her humanitarian trip to Malawi as Ambassador with her husband, the famous television cook Jesper Vollmer, and their two sons Eliot and Storm. There, they visited families who have received help via Give a goat project. After talking to Annette, Princess Marie said: ” I have been thinking of taking Henrik and Athena with me on a trip. In fact, Henrik has even asked for it! But it probably will take a few more years. Athena must be a little older.”
On the occasion of the 100th anniversary of Nelson Mandela’s birth, the Papaya choir performed South African songs. The choir was introduced by former Folkekirkens Nødhjælp Secretary-General, Christian Balslev-Olesen, with words about the legacy of Mandela.
On Thursday, Princess Marie visited Voergaard Slot in Dronninlung to attend a Christmas party and visit the “Greve Oberbech-Clausen’s adventurous journey from Bordeaux and Paris to Voergaard Castle” exhibition.
This year, the castle hosts an exhibit of French art inspired by the last owner, Greve Overbech-Clausen’s adventurous life from France to Voergaard Slot. In 1955, he moved his collection of French cultural and art treasures from France to Voergaard Slot.
About Princess Marie visiting the exhibition, Anker Laden-Larsen said: “It is a great honour that Princess Marie visits Voergaard Slot. We are looking forward to telling her about Voergaard Slot’s French history and showing the Princess how Voergaard’s living rooms have been transformed into a beautiful Christmas universe”
These events are suspected to be Princess Marie’s last engagements of the year. However, it has been announced by the Royal Court that the Royal Family will spend Christmas all together at Marselisborg Palace at the request of Queen Margrethe. Indeed, it is the family’s first Christmas without Prince Henrik, and it was important to the Queen to have her entire family with her.
