On 14 November, Princess Marie undertook her first official engagement in Paris, France since her family’s move to the city this summer as Prince Joachim is taking part in a high-level military management training there.
She visited the Danish Section of the Lycée International of Saint-Germain-en-Laye as the Honorary President. She took over the position earlier this year from Prince Henrik who was also French-born. The section welcomes Danish children whose families are staying in Paris for some time: “Lycée International is the only school in France where Danish is included in the normal curriculum in the form of 6 weekly hours at each grade level in Danish and history. The teaching is conducted by Danish-educated teachers, who are constantly updated on teaching plans and developments in Danish schools. The students will thus easily be integrated into the Danish school system after their stay.”
Following an official welcome outside of the school, Princess Marie toured the building before meeting with pupils from the primary school and older students as well. The section welcomes children from three years old to 18 years old. After answering the questions asked by the students and learning what the section means to them personally, Princess Marie took part in the more formal part of the visit, listening to speeches from the Headmaster of the school and the President of the Section. Some of the children also made a speech in French and Danish.
Photo courtesy of La Section Danoise du Lycée International 
Photo courtesy of La Section Danoise du Lycée International 
Photo courtesy of La Section Danoise du Lycée International 
Photo courtesy of La Section Danoise du Lycée International 
Photo courtesy of La Section Danoise du Lycée International 
Photo courtesy of La Section Danoise du Lycée International 
Photo courtesy of La Section Danoise du Lycée International 
Photo courtesy of La Section Danoise du Lycée International 
Photo courtesy of La Section Danoise du Lycée International 
Photo courtesy of La Section Danoise du Lycée International 
Photo courtesy of La Section Danoise du Lycée International 
Photo courtesy of La Section Danoise du Lycée International
The President of the Danish Section told Europe Correspondent Heaven LeeMiller exclusively that as it was her first visit since taking over the position, Princess Marie wanted a visit as intimate as possible since she really wanted to meet with the children and really be able to talk to them about the section. She also talked about her own challenge as a parent raising French-Danish children as her children still answer to her in Danish sometimes. She was very attentive and really wanted to understand how the section works and why it is so important for the students.
