I’ve just watched a broadcast of highlights of the Danish royal wedding. Cool. I love a royal wedding. Can’t say I knew much about the royal family of Denmark, but since an Australian got engaged to their Crown Prince, I’ve certainly learned a lot more!
Among the guests was, of all people, Roger Moore. You know, the English actor who was James Bond for so many years? Apparently, he’s married to a well-known Danish lady. See the stuff you learn when you read my blog?
The bridegroom wore a dress uniform with a very funny hat, one of those boat-shaped things you’d expect to see on the head of Trafalgar or something. Apparently, the Danish call it a “Napoleon hat,” and there’s a pastry with the same shape and name. Anyway, I do realize it’s a historical thing, but I have to say it’s good he took it off when he arrived at the church.
I must say, when the prince came down the aisle in a small procession with his best man (his brother) and other supporters, he had the good grace to actually look nervous. Good bloke!
Here’s another factoid. Apparently, the Queen of Denmark is over six feet tall. She’s also greatly beloved by her people, and she seems to be genuinely fond of her children.
Representing England were Edward and Sophie, the Earl and Countess of Wessex. Their wedding was the last royal one I got to see, back in 1999.
Apparently, next week a Spanish prince is getting married, so all these royals will have to turn up to attend that, as well….
Anyway, this wedding had a lot of great music. I’m a real sucker for a trumpet voluntary (note, there are LOTS of trumpet voluntaries; some people seem to think that Clarke piece is the only one or something).
The bride, I must say, really looks like a princess. She’s beautiful and very elegant. And her dress was a lovely “candlelight” satin (that mellow golden off-white color), with her hair up and a lovely lace veil (but not over her face, which is nice). Her father wore a kilt to walk her down the aisle, which is kinda cool. And her bridegroom actually got tears in his eyes when the music began (awww, what a guy).
She walked down the aisle to the most extraordinary choice of music, Handel’s “Zadok the Priest”, with the full choir, trumpets, and timpani drums! Talk about impressive and regal and royal.
The commentators for the television presentation were Danes who have immigrated to Australia, and they explained various things and did rough-and-ready translations of the ceremony, which appears to me to be just a standard formal Lutheran service (no, I’m not Lutheran, but I’m very familiar with the traditions and such). I certainly recognized the tunes of several of the hymns!
The recessional drove me nuts trying to place it (I definitely knew it). I finally figured out what it was after rummaging through my CDs. It was the Toccata from Organ Symphony No. 5 by Widor. No, I didn’t remember that until I found the CD, but I did remember that it was Widor after I puzzled over it for a while.
After the ceremony the couple rode around Copenhagen in an open carriage pulled by six white horses, and then there were scenes from the reception and dance.
The Queen gave a speech about love and duty and such, and the cameramen were right on the mark. I laughed SO hard… Just after the Queen mentioned doing one’s duty with a smile, the Prince sort of rolled his eyes, probably because he’s been hearing that all of his life. I just laughed and laughed…
And apparently, the bride’s father wore a kilt because he is, actually, a Scotsman. His speech was delivered with a very noticeable Scottish brogue.
The speech made by the bridegroom brought tears to my eyes, and to the bride’s. Very sweet, and very lovely, and he’s obviously utterly in love with his wife.
So there you go. Australian Girl Makes Good, Becomes Crown Princess of Denmark, thus making the Crown Prince of Denmark Australia’s Favourite Son-in-Law.
And next week, the Aussie tabloids will be brimming with pictures, and I can tell you, I’ll be buying them (I normally do, anyway, heh).
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