Recap of the Royal Wedding in Denmark

Yesterday afternoon, Prince Joachim of Denmark married for the second time. The wedding ceremony took place at Møgeltønder Church and was officiated by Bishop Erik Norman Svendsen. The French bride, Marie Cavallier, wore an off-white lace and silk faille wedding gown designed by Arasi Morelli couture. She only had one bridesmaid and two pages in her wedding retinue. Joachim gave his bride an 18 karat gold wedding band, studded with six small brilliant-cut diamonds. The wedding reception was held at the Ecco Conference Centre and the wedding banquet at Schackenborg Slot.

Below are some highlights from the wedding ceremony of Prince Joachim and Marie Cavallier.

Bridal processional: “Sarabande très tendrement” from Concert Royaux (Suite No. 4) by François Couperin.

THE BISHOP’S ADDRESS
Interrogation and Declaration

I now ask you, Joachim Holger Waldemar Christian,
will you take Marie Agathe Odile Cavallier, standing by your side,
to be your wife? - I will.
Will you love and honour her,
and live with her for better or for worse,
in what fortune God, the Almighty, will send you,
as a husband should live with his wedded wife,
until death do you part? - I will.
Likewise I ask you, Marie Agathe Odile Cavallier,
will you take Joachim Holger Waldemar Christian, standing by your side,
to be your husband? - I will.
Will you love and honour him,
and live with him for better or for worse,
in what fortune God, the Almighty, will send you,
as a wife should live with her wedded husband,
until death do you part? - I will.
Then join your hands together.
Since you have promised one another that you will live together in marriage and have now confirmed this before God, and before us who are present, I declare you to be man and wife before God and all mankind.
The bride and bridegroom exchange rings.
Let us pray:
Dear heavenly Father,
grant this man and this woman
grace, happiness and blessing
in soul and body.
Grant that they may love one another with faithful love
and serve you sincerely in all things,
that they may live as your dear children
and finally be gathered unto you in the eternal mansions.

Hear us in the name of Jesus:
Our Father, which art in heaven, hallowed be thy name; thy kingdom come; thy will be done; on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive them that trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation; but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, the power and the glory, for ever and ever. Amen
Peace be with you.

HYMN
Praise to the Lord, the Almighty, the King of creation!
O my soul, praise Him for He is your health and salvation!
Let all who hear, now to His temple draw near,
joining in glad adoration!
Praise to the Lord, who o’er all things is wondrously reigning
and, as on wings of an eagle, uplifting, sustaining.
Have you not seen all that is needful has been
sent by His gracious ordaining?
Praise to the Lord, who with marvellous wisdom has made you!
decked you with health, and has guided you safely, and stayed you;
how oft in grief has He not brought you relief,
spreading His wings to protect you!
Praise to the Lord, who will prosper your work and defend you;
surely His goodness and mercy shall daily attend you.
Ponder anew what the Almighty can do
if with His love He befriend you.
Praise to the Lord! O let all that is in me adore Him!
All that has life and breath, come now with praises before Him!
Let the amen sound from His people again.
Gladly forever adore Him!
Hymn 103. Joachim Neander 1679. In Danish 1740.
Tune: Stralsund 1665.The entire wedding programme of Prince Joachim and Marie Cavallier can be read here.

The entire wedding ceremony speech by Bishop Erik Norman Svendsen can be read here.

The menu from the wedding reception held at the Ecco Conference Centre can be read here.

The menu from the wedding banquet held at Schackenborg Slot can be read here.

The wedding cake details can be read here.

Photos: Steen Brogaard

Prince Joachim Soon To Wed His French Bride

As the hour draws near for the nupitals of Prince Joachim and his fiancée, Marie Cavallier, the town of Møgeltønder has been buzzing with wedding preparations. Danish television DR1 will be featuring wedding coverage all day and you can view the event live here.

One of the major questions of the day will be the bride’s wedding dress. In a recent interview, Marie did not disclose any details of her wedding dress including the designer. Her desire is for the gown to be a surprise when she arrives at Møgeltønder Church at 4:58 pm (local time) today. The secrecy surrounding the design of the wedding gown is not unlike the unveiling of Marie’s engagement ring at the press conference on October 3, 2007. Incidentally, Joachim’s fiancée received her engagement ring the day before their official announcement. The prince wanted to be certain that the press would not see it before then. Prince Joachim had proposed to Marie in the summer while on vacation in Turkey.

As for the details of their romance, the couple initially met at a private hunting party in 2002, but they did not pursue a relationship until 2005. During the course of the romance, the couple had one break-up in their relationship. Despite the time of separation, Joachim and Marie realized that they could not bear to be apart and soon reunited. After the engagement announcement, Marie began acclimating herself to the Danish culture and her fiancé’s royal life. After the wedding vows, Marie will become a Princess of Denmark and Countess of Monpezat.

The October 3, 2007 engagement press conference of Prince Joachim and Marie Cavallier can be viewed here.

The new joint monogram of Prince Joachim and Princess Marie displayed on the gates Schackenborg Slot can be viewed here.

Photo: REUTERS

Gates at Schackenborg Slot Have New Monogram (Updated)

Prince Joachim’s gates at Schackenborg Slot bear the new joint monogram of the prince and his soon-to-be wife, Marie. For the last three years, the gates have displayed the old joint monogram of Joachim and his former wife, Princess Alexandra, who married Danish photographer Martin Jørgensen last March. The new monogram was designed by Prince Joachim with the guidance of Royal heraldry expert Ronny Andersen.

Photo: REUTERS