I hope some of our Danish Celebitches will comment and let me know if the Danish media is still talking about Crown Prince Frederik and his alleged affair with Genoveva Casanova in Spain. Because from where I’m sitting, the story really just died in about two weeks in November. The Spanish tabloids were all over it – the alleged affair went down in Madrid – and there were photos and a timeline pretty much proving Frederik’s involvement with this woman. The palace just stonewalled and refused to comment though, and that effectively suffocated the story after a few weeks, at least that’s how it looks to me. Meanwhile, Crown Princess Mary has already flown down to Australia without Frederik. He will supposedly join her next week. Hm.
Crown Princess Mary of Denmark has returned to her native Australia for a private holiday with her family in the run-up to Christmas. Mary, 51, travelled Down Under with her 12-year-old twins, Prince Vincent and Princess Josephine, yesterday.
The Danish Palace confirmed they will be joined by Frederik, Crown Prince of Denmark next week – as the family continue to deal with the fallout from pictures of his night out with reality star Genoveva Casanova, 47, in Madrid last month.
The Prince, 55, is currently attending the climate conference, COP 28, in Dubai, and will participate in the Council of State with his mother, Queen Margrethe, on 12 December.
The royal family are visiting Mary’s relatives in Australia and it is not yet known whether they will undertake any formal engagements.
Mary and Frederik’s daughter, Princess Isabella, 16, is set to travel to Australia later in December when her school studies have finished. However, Prince Christian, 18, is unable to join them as he has important exams to study for.
Mary’s father, Professor John Dalgleish Donaldson, and three siblings, Jane, Patricia and John, reside in Australia, so it is likely she will spend the majority of her time with them. Following royal tradition, it is thought the family will head back to Aarhus in Denmark to celebrate Christmas Eve at Marselisborg Palace with Queen Margrethe.
Mary and Fred alternate Christmas holidays, some years in Denmark and some years in Australia, and Mary told reporters that the family planned to be in Australia well before the alleged affair was exposed. So it’s not like she changed her plans or anything. I do find it interesting that the family didn’t travel together and there’s a vibe of Mary leaving Denmark early because she wanted some space from Fred. My take is still: I feel sorry for her and it feels like she’s in a crummy marriage, but she’s put so much time and effort into it, she doesn’t want to give up now.
Photos courtesy of Cover Images.
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- King Felipe VI and Queen Letizia of Spain during their arrival at Vilhelm Lauritzen Terminal at Copenhagen Airport in Copenhagen, on the first day of the 3 day state visit of the Spanish Royals to Denmark. Featuring: Crown Princess Mary of Denmark Where: Copenhagen, Denmark When: 06 Nov 2023 Credit: Dutch Press Photo/Cover Images **NOT AVAILABLE FOR PUBLICATION IN THE NETHERLANDS OR FRANCE**
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- Crown Princess Mary of Denmark and Crown Prince Frederik of Denmark attending a state banquet at Christiansborg Castle in Copenhagen, Monday November 6, 2023. The Spanish royal couple is on a three-day state visit to Denmark. Photo by Stefan Lindblom/Stella Pictures/ABACAPRESS.COM Featuring: Crown Princess Mary of Denmark, Crown Prince Frederik of Denmark Where: Copenhagen, Denmark When: 06 Nov 2023 Credit: Stefan Lindblom/Stella Pictures/Abaca Press/INSTARimages **NORTH AMERICA RIGHTS ONLY**
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- Crown Princess Mary of Denmark attending a state banquet at Christiansborg Castle in Copenhagen, Monday November 6, 2023. The Spanish royal couple is on a three-day state visit to Denmark. Photo by Stefan Lindblom/Stella Pictures/ABACAPRESS.COM Featuring: Crown Princess Mary of Denmark Where: Copenhagen, Denmark When: 06 Nov 2023 Credit: Stefan Lindblom/Stella Pictures/Abaca Press/INSTARimages **NORTH AMERICA RIGHTS ONLY**
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- Spanish and Danish Royals during a Wreath-laying Ceremony at the Danish National Monument of Remembrance at Kastellet in Copenhagen, on day 2 of the 3 day state visit of the Spanish Royals to Denmark. Featuring: Princess Mary of Denmark Where: Copenhagen, Denmark When: 07 Nov 2023 Credit: Dutch Press Photo/Cover Images **NOT AVAILABLE FOR PUBLICATION IN THE NETHERLANDS OR FRANCE**
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- Spanish and Danish Royals during a Wreath-laying Ceremony at the Danish National Monument of Remembrance at Kastellet in Copenhagen, on day 2 of the 3 day state visit of the Spanish Royals to Denmark. Featuring: Crown Prince Frederik and Crown Princess Mary of Denmark Where: Copenhagen, Denmark When: 07 Nov 2023 Credit: Dutch Press Photo/Cover Images **NOT AVAILABLE FOR PUBLICATION IN THE NETHERLANDS OR FRANCE**
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- Members of the Spanish royal family during the return arrangement at the Glyptoteket in Copenhagen on day 2 of the 3-day state visit to Denmark Featuring: Crown Prince Frederik, Crown Princess Mary of Denmark Where: Copenhagen, Denmark When: 07 Nov 2023 Credit: Dutch Press Photo/Cover Images **NOT AVAILABLE FOR PUBLICATION IN THE NETHERLANDS OR FRANCE**
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- Members of the Spanish royal family during the return arrangement at the Glyptoteket in Copenhagen on day 2 of the 3-day state visit to Denmark Featuring: Crown Prince Frederik, Crown Princess Mary of Denmark Where: Copenhagen, Denmark When: 07 Nov 2023 Credit: Dutch Press Photo/Cover Images **NOT AVAILABLE FOR PUBLICATION IN THE NETHERLANDS OR FRANCE**
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- Spanish and Danish Royals during a round-table discussion on sustainable city living at Danish Architecture Centre in Copenhagen, on the final day of the 3 day state visit of the Spanish Royals to Denmark. Featuring: Crown Prince Frederik and Crown Princess Mary of Denmark Where: Copenhagen, Denmark When: 08 Nov 2023 Credit: Dutch Press Photo/Cover Images **NOT AVAILABLE FOR PUBLICATION IN THE NETHERLANDS OR FRANCE**
Mary was the sidepiece Fred cheated on his long-time girlfriend with. He went back to that girlfriend after his one-night stand with Mary, where he was her third choice in the pub that night.
Much like W&K really. He has cheated on her regularly, she puts up with it for the title and position, this is nothing new to them. It isn’t even new that it is public knowledge. The interesting thing is the other party *this time* is fairly high profile herself, which makes it surprising the Spanish press is backing down.
We’re told Fred is going, but he’s also listed as being Regent during some of this time. Is he flying down, dropping off Izzy, and returning to Denmark soon after? What is weird is Christian not joining them for Christmas at all.
So much gossip repeated as if it’s fact.
So much desperation to think Mary and Fred aren’t in a business arrangement.
I. WANT.THAT.HAT. Sigh.
Not that I don’t believe it in this case, but I’m impressed by the growing royal ubiquitousness of: No can do. I got / my kid’s got important exams. I’ll have to try that!
Sometime ago I discovered Mary’s speech to Frederik on his 50th birthday, there was a very fancy gala and she got up and made a speech to her husband. It was very moving and romantic and Frederik looked very emotional and like he was about to cry. It got me emotional! You can find the speech on Youtube. I know there are stories about how they met and how Mary basically wanted to have fun and hook up with a prince during the Olympics and she managed to score with Fred and it was just a casual thing. But seriously, you don’t just up and move your life halfway across the world and learn a whole new language for a simple hook up, even if they are a prince. I do believe they were very in love but… something must have changed at some point.
In any case, the guilty party is Frederik, if the stories are true.
Mary chose to accept his cheating from the start in exchange for the title, position, jewelry, royal life. Much like Kate Middleton. She’s not leaving until/unless Fred decides to shove her out.
@Nota: I’m familiar that you aren’t a Mary fan, I’ve seen you post negatively about her on other Mary posts. Even if all what you say is true, she’s worked harder than Kate for it. Moved to a new country across the world, learned a new language, and she actually puts in the work. Kate doesn’t and never has so I don’t see the two situations as comparable, apart from the “commoner married into royalty” similarity. Mary comes across as smarter and more informed than Kate, not to mention she had a career of some kind before she married Frederik. She isn’t sitting at home and using her kids as an excuse to not work. She’s not a saint (I know there’s rumors of tension between her and Princess Marie her SIL for example) but she isn’t a copykeening lazy bones either.
70 days a year isn’t working ‘hard’.
As for learning a new language? Maxima learned five languages – for her international career – before she learned Dutch. I don’t see Mary learning one new language as impressive.
@nota: we can agree to disagree on this point. I can speak 3 languages, two from birth in which I’m 100% fluent in and one I learned later in life. I went to an international bilingual school where a lot of kids grew up speaking multiple languages at home (some as much as 3 or 4). Kids under the age of 12 pick up languages like sponges so that’s not that impressive. I think anyone who learns a language, especially later in life as an adult, is impressive. It is not easy, no matter what anyone tells you. Maxima is incredibly impressive for that as is Mary. Kate only speaks English and has only ever lived in the UK compared to Maxima and Mary. Maybe you speak another language and learning a language seems like a cakewalk but there are people who truly struggle more than others.
None of which makes Mary more impressive, it only makes her less. Marie speaks six languages, Victoria speaks four while facing learning challenges from dyslexia.
Mary learning one language as an adult isn’t impressive.
I think, something may not be changed. He may still love his wife and their family, while sleeping around with other people. A lot of men do that because they can. Especially for a guy with money, status and lots of opportunities with meeting other people, it would be shocking if he was a loyal man. I just assume all of these royal men have side-chicks all over the world.
@VileRose Mary Elizabeth Donaldson and her story to the position is well known in royal gossip circles. And YES you do pick up and move ANYWHERE a royal prince wants you to, especially if he’s paying for your apartment in Paris (1 year) and Denmark (3-4 yrs until engagement) and you’re an unremarkable person with caviar taste! *Fun fact: Mary could not afford a car but rented a horse to hang out with the horsey set prior to Fred. Yet not one of her “friends from this set” could comment beyond shoulder shrugs and blank stares when asked to describe her in engagement hype vids.*
Mary KNEW the golden opportunity presented when Beatrice called to meet at the Slip Inn Syndey Sept. ’01. the party included King Felipe/Prince Nicholas of Greece/Prince Joachim and Fred , she made sure she left with someone! PS-Slip Inn shenanigans are reason for the tension with Joachim and her jealousy of Letizia because Mary originally wanted Felipe.
Want receipts? Look up her Starmakers vids (the course after meeting Fred), or the palace approved engagement vids where Fred physically recoils EVERYTIME Mary touches him. Want more? Google her “surprise” trip to a Miami sailing event when she and the press caught Fred with his side piece, the pix yacht pix in Syndey with a blonde family friend, or the night before the twins christening.
Not coming for you or your defense of Mary, but PLEASE DO NOT feel sorry for Mary! She and Kate are cut from the same cloth. The goal: wear the one ring to rule them all because then it will all be worth it and you will finally be somebody.
Kake, no one is forcing white, powerful men into marriages they hate. I know this is the blueprint for Charles and Camilla, but Frederik actively pursued, dated and married Mary, out of his own free will. Unless you’re suggesting something regarding his sexuality, I very much doubt he recoiled at Mary’s touch.
I think you don’t understand most of our basic beef with Kate Middleton.
It’s that she has a unique and powerful platform from which she could effect monumental good. And she only cares about herself. She’s purposefully ignorant, incurious, and unkind on top of that. And worst of all- she’s deeply anti woman and deeply racist.
We don’t care so much that she staked William. Or that he cheats on her and she chooses to stay. That’s her relationship and her business.
The rest however – is damning.
Mary uses her platform to do incredible things and that’s why we aren’t all screeching for her downfall.
This story doesn’t sound true to me. I’m from Sydney, I went to private schools, I know people who appear in the social pages. Horse-riding is not a requirement, LOL.
We are not the UK. We don’t have lords and ladies. No one gives AF if you ride horses or not. I know a few wealthy horsey girls but they are not socialites.
Mary worked in PR. She would have had access to that social scene through her job. From what I hear, she was well-liked.
If she hired a horse, it was probably because she enjoys riding. There is literally zero need to do it in order to social climb.
Yes, Kake. I get that some people want to raise her up, but she was a woman with no career, wandering through life, who took her shot at a cheating prince and grabbed for the golden ring. She didn’t make anything of herself prior to marriage unless several other married-ins.
@Cee Beg to differ on your “no one forcing white, powerful men into a marriages they hate” Exhibit A: King Charles July 31, 1981, and YES Fred’s relationship with Mary was encouraged by the palace. Why? The Danish Royal House did not want a Danish crown princess, a well-documented rumor in the Danish royal rota and in the castle hallways. A Danish crown princess has boyfriends, co-workers, and others that can present a PR problem. Freddums was in a relationship with Bettina Odum when he “one nighted” with Mary. Additionally, long time Danish royal watchers KNOW he was absolutely told to end his relationship with Katja Storkholm because she was a “model”, sad but true. To this day many still believe Katja was the only women who Fred truly loved -check out their pictures together…Fred NEVER looked or looks at Mary the same way as Katja!
And trust me, I don’t question Fred’s sexuality, his YEARS of extra martial activities are well documented in the Danish and European press. Again, watch the engagement video title Mary Elizabeth Donaldson (produced by the palace), my personal fav physical recoil moment between the betrothed lovebirds is the family dinner at the winery-chef’s kiss!
Don’t get it twisted, Crown Prince Frederick and the Danish royal house saw an unremarkable, incurious girl desperate for significance and willing to be anything or anyone the palace needed, sound familiar? Mary Elizabeth Donaldson of Hobart Tasmania found her golden ticket in Syndey and never looked back. She and Kate are cautionary tales of be careful what you wish and work for, you’ll get it, at the expense of yourself!
Again, no one forced him to marry her. There are billions of women like Mary in the world and yet he chose to marry her when she could have remained a fun fling while in Australia.
And yes, I mentioned Charles as the blueprint many claim other marriages are based on. Charles was cajoled into marrying Diana and that ended in divorce. If Frederik wanted out he would be divorced by now. He already has 4 children born from a legal marriage and Denmark is supposed to be a forward thinking nation so they can handle a divorced Heir.
While I agree that Mary and Kate serve as cautionary tales it is for different reasons – IF YOU MARRY A PRINCE PREPARE TO BECOME EXPENDABLE. Everyone married or pursuing a relationship with a prince should be warned.
At my now ex-husbands farewell party at a very prominent job he gave a lovely speech thanking me for all the support I gave him while working full time myself and raising our kids as he pursued this “once in a lifetime” dream job in another state for three years. He mentioned how I always stood by him, talked about our twenty year marriage etc. Everyone said how touching it was. And this lovely speech was delivered with his brand new affair partner sitting in the front row…and I later found the emails of their declarations of love for each other THE NEXT DAY. I give the side eye to all sentimental tribute speeches now. To me they’re like the people who hold recommitment wedding ceremonies ….start checking your stopwatch.
So sorry EllenOlenska, that’s a kick in the head for sure.
So what – Mary went ahead to Australia. Frederik as at COP28 and then had to be regent while mummy went shopping in London. He usually attends the Council of State meeting which is held on the 12th and then he and Princess Isabella are set to join Mary and twins in Australia. Prince Christian is in his last year of high school and due to school obligations is unable to go at all. Princess Isabella also had schooling obligations that did not allow her to take additional time off.
For people that barely follow the DRF – all of a sudden some of you really seem to know alot of about her marriage, relationship, Frederik, her family and everything.
Stick to the BRF drama – there always seems to be a full dose of it.
LOL. Some of us have watched multiple royal families for several decades, including watching Mary Donaldson and her choices from the very beginning.
I get it. Mary fans, like Kate fans, don’t like the choices Mary has made to stay with a cheater because she likes being royal. But that is a choice. And unsurprising that Mary fans are often Kate fans too.
This is another couple that has pushed an OTT royal love story for a long time, one which is PR fiction.
Dude. We don’t like Kate Middleton because she’s in an incredible position to effect positive good on the world and she does NOTHING. She’s also cruel, more shallow than a puddle and deeply racist. She has no good qualities or impact to commend her.
We don’t care if she’s staying with a cheater – we aren’t judging that. The palace machine kills people. I wouldn’t take that on, so I don’t blame her for keeping quiet about William and his rages.
We care because we want women who are passionate about causes to be in the positions of power to enact those changes. Mary is incredible in that way. Kate is a light weight. That’s the difference in who we care about and why.
Dude. We don’t like Kate Middleton because she’s in an incredible position to effect positive good on the world and she does NOTHING. She’s also cruel, more shallow than a puddle and deeply racist. She has no good qualities or impact to commend her.
We don’t care if she’s staying with a cheater – we aren’t judging that. The palace machine kills people. I wouldn’t take that on, so I don’t blame her for keeping quiet about William and his rages.
We care because we want women who are passionate about causes to be in the positions of power to enact those changes. Mary is incredible in that way. Kate is a light weight. That’s the difference in who we care about and why. 🤷🏻♀️
Mary is passionate about the royal lifestyle. She does the work as part of the job. The one area where I will praise her work is in loneliness, because I think that is something dear to her heart. Why? Because she experienced it herself when she was wandering around Paris waiting for Fred to visit.
Moxy, ‘We don’t care if she’s staying with a cheater – we aren’t judging that’
Speak for yourself, not for every poster on here.
I’m free to criticize Mary for choosing to stay with a cheater because she wants the royal lifestyle and crown more than she wants self-respect. That makes her akin to Middleton, always has.
First off, just want to say that IZ_Q is a Danish poster on CB; she knows what’s going on in Denmark.
Next, I apologize for forgetting who said this, but someone here mentioned that the Danes ignored this scandal due to the blackmail. According to the CBer who posted, the Spanish media offered to kill the story if the DRF would pay. The DRF said no to the blackmail and Frederik was outed with Genevova. Many countries in Europe would sympathize with the DRF in similar circumstances: it’s trashier to out an affair because you weren’t paid than being part of an affair.
Tbf, I have traveled to the States earlier (I’m an American expat living in Europe) a certain times because my husband (we are happily married!) was still working. I, like Mary, used the time to visit friends and family. That isn’t per se scandalous.
I remember reading they’ve traveled to Australia separately before, so nothing special about it. I’d also imagine it’s easier for the twins who’re younger to miss some time at school without falling behind.
There are plenty of things to criticize Daisy for, but why attack her Christmas tradition? She’s done her shopping in London for decades. She’s had big missteps lately, but she’s also experienced big losses. She lost her husband to dementia and then lost him entirely. She lost her close friend, colleague, and confidant of 50+ years when QEII passed away. Her doing a few days shopping in London isn’t going to harm anyone.
Fred appears to be tagged as Regent seven days in the next week and a half. Maybe he’s dropping Izzy in Australia and returning to Denmark.
Mary is just stunning in that blue and green. Love it! Kate can try to cosplay Mary & Meghan all she wants. Her clothes wear her, not the other way around. As for this trip to Australia, there would be little interest in it if not for Fred’s lack of discretion.
Why is it that whenever mixed-sex twins are mentioned the boy is always referenced first? The Clooney twins, the Grimaldi twins, etc. It’s nearly 2024; equality starts with the language that we use.
In this case, the male twin was at least born first. So the kids order is C, I, V, J.
Can we please check out the brooche on her jacket in that stunning blue/green outfit and can we PLEASE bring back brooches on jackets without being called out as grandmother-y? I inherited 2 exquisite ones and have started to wear them on my wool coats and I get equal parts compliments and snark (from younger family members). I don’t want these beautiful pieces to continue to sit ignored in my jewelry box, so I am forging forward with making this fashionable again!
I’m with you. Brooches are beautiful! I have a couple of really lovely ones that I’ve had for decades, now I’m going to bring them out and start wearing again.
This is old and in Daniah but sums up the early days of Fred and Mary: http://tomorrowscrownedheads.blogspot.com/2011/02/kronprinsens-loyalitet-over-for-sine.html?m=1
Ekstrabladet eb.dk still writes about Fred and Casanova.