Get-together continues tradition begun by queen mother

Members of the royal family gathered together for their annual summer get-together at Gråsten Palace in southern Jutland yesterday.

A tradition begun by former monarch Queen Ingrid, the gathering has become an important event for Queen Margrethe as a way to pull her growing family together.

The relaxed event typically assembles the families of the queen’s two sons, as well as those of her two younger sisters. This year, however, Queen Anne-Marie, wife of the exiled king of Greece, was unable to attend. The couple is in the midst of preparing for the wedding of their son next month.

Also absent from the gathering were Princes Nicolai and Felix, Prince Joachim’s sons from his first marriage.
Grabbing much of the attention at yesterday’s photo op were Prince Frederik’s new beard and Prince Joachim’s summer footwear – a pair of blue espadrilles.

Pictured (left to right):

Middle row: Prince Joachim (the queen's younger son), holding his son Henrik, Princess Marie (Joachim’s second wife), Prince Henrik (the queen’s husband), Queen Margrethe, Princess Benedikte (the queen’s sister), Princess Mary (wife of Prince Frederik), Prince Frederik (the queen’s older son)

Back row: Carina Axelsson and partner Gustav von Sayn-Wittgenstein-Berleburg (Princess Benedikte’s son), Princess Alexandra of Berleburg (daughter of Princess Benedikte) and her husband Count Jefferson-Friedrich (blocked by Princess Benedikte)

Front row: Richard og Ingrid (Alexandra and Jefferson’s children), Prince Christian and Princess Isabella (Mary and Frederik’s children).