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

Royals Gather for Intimate Danish Wedding

As the commentators dished about the guests at the wedding of Prince Joachim and Marie Cavallier, the fashion experts discussed the evening wear. Whereas the bride was radiant and dewy in lace, the mothers of the bride and groom serenely glowed in their evening gowns of muted tones. Princess Märtha Louise of Norway, known for her bold fashions, decided to softly accentuate her third pregnancy in a smocked beige gown. Crown Princess Mette-Marit of Norway wore a light pink gown whilst Crown Princess Victoria of Sweden and Queen Anne-Marie of Greece opted for cherry red gowns.The Møgeltønder Church guestlist from the wedding of Prince Joachim and Marie Cavallier can be read here.

The Schackenborg Slot guestlist from the wedding of Prince Joachim and Marie Cavallier can be read here.

Photos: Steen Brogaard, REUTERS

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

DR1 Presents Portrait Documentary of Marie Cavallier

On Sunday, Danish television DR1 aired a documentary of Prince Joachim’s fiancée, Marie Cavallier. In her interview, Marie spoke of her childhood being fraught with separation and divorce and the difficulties she faced adjusting to the changes. She also reminisced about her school experiences, travel and work. As the interview progressed, Marie admitted that the media was the most daunting aspect of her life so far because she felt the press was very aggressive in their methods to obtain a story.

Besides speaking of her early life, the interview touched on her romance with Joachim, her relationship with his sons Prince Nikolai and Prince Felix, religion and the challenges learning a new language and culture.

The DR1 documentary, Prinsesse på vej-portæt af Marie Cavallier, can be viewed here.

Marie Cavallier-The French Princess

As the wedding date approaches for Prince Joachim and Marie Cavallier, a new book about the royal bride-to-be has been released. Written by seasoned Danish royal journalist, John Lindskog, the book titled Marie Cavallier - Den franske prinsesse (Marie Cavallier-The French Princess) contains the details of the two year romance between Marie and Joachim right up to the engagement. The author also outlines Marie’s life before she met her prince.

Included in the book are several chapters on other royal marriages with commoners and the difficulties that faced the non-royal half in those unions.

Besides the book’s release, Danish television DR1 will be airing an exclusive documentary featuring Marie Cavallier on May 18th.

Schedule for the Wedding of Prince Joachim and Marie Cavallier

Below is the current schedule for the wedding of Prince Joachim and Marie Cavallier on May 24th.

Møgeltønder Church

4:00 pm – 4:40 pm
Arrival of Guests

4:40 pm
Arrival of the Groom

4:42 pm – 4:55 pm
Arrival of the royalties and family of the bride

4:58 pm
Arrival of the Bride and her father

5:00 pm
Wedding. Marriage officiated by Bishop Erik Norman Svendsen.

6:00 pm
The newly married couple and guests leave the church.



Schackenborg Slot

6:00 pm – 6:15 pm
The newly married couple and their close family members arrive by car at the Schackenborg Slot.

7:00 pm – 7:30 pm
Other guests arrive by bus to Schackenborg Slot.

7:30 pm
Approximate arrival of newly married couple, the royalties and the guests to Schackenborg Slot.

8:00 pm
Dinner and bryllupsfest at Schackenborg Slot.



Ecco Center

6:00 pm – 6:30 pm
Guests arrive at the reception.

6:15 pm - 7:15 pm
Wedding reception

6:45 pm – 7:15 pm
Guests leave the reception.

Danish Monarchy Reveals New Official Monogram of Prince Joachim and Marie Cavallier

The Danish Monarchy released today the new official monogram of Prince Joachim and his fiancée, Marie Cavallier, which will be used by the couple upon their marriage on May 24th. The romantic monogram was designed by the prince with guidance by Royal heraldry expert Ronny Andersen.

Photo: The Danish Monarchy

Unofficial Wedding Logo To Honor Prince Joachim and Marie Cavallier

In preparation for the May 24th wedding of Prince Joachim of Denmark and his fiancée Marie Cavallier, the municipality of Tønder has released an unofficial wedding logo in honor of the couple. The logo was designed Conny Paugan Jaeger. The Danish residents are encouraged to display the wedding logo throughout the municipality to promote the felicitous event.

Wedding Date Set for Prince Joachim of Denmark and Marie Cavallier

The Danish Monarchy announced yesterday the wedding date and place for Prince Joachim and Marie Cavallier.

The wedding between His Royal Highness Prince Joachim and Miss Marie Cavallier will take place on Saturday May 24th 2008. Bishop Erik Norman Svendsen will officiate at the wedding in the church of Møgeltønder, Southern Jutland.

After the marriage ceremony a private wedding banquet will be held at Schackenborg Castle, Møgeltønder.

Ove Ullerup
Lord Chamberlain

Prince Joachim and Marie Cavallier Announce Engagement

After the endless speculation of whether the second son of Queen Margrethe II would ever settle down again and find happiness considering his first marriage went kaput in 2005, Prince Joachim of Denmark has finally announced his engagement to Marie Cavallier. The Danish Monarchy released the following statement:

Her Majesty the Queen of Denmark and His Royal Highness the Prince Consort have the pleasure to announce the engagement of their son, His Royal Highness Prince Joachim to Miss Marie Cavallier.

Today, Wednesday October 3rd 2007, the Council of State has been assembled at Christiansborg Castle presided over by Her Majesty the Queen. Upon submission from the Prime Minister and in accordance with the Act of Succession of 1953, Her Majesty gave her consent to the marriage of His Royal Highness Prince Joachim and Miss Marie Cavallier. The wedding will take place in spring 2008. After the marriage Miss Cavallier will assume the title of Her Royal Highness Princess Marie.

Miss Marie Cavallier is a French citizen and belongs to the Roman Catholic Church. It is her wish to become a member of the Evangelical-Lutheran Church of Denmark in connection with the marriage. Miss Cavallier also wishes to apply for Danish citizenship and in this way to be released from her French citizenship.

Ove Ullerup
Lord Chamberlain

Joachim proposed to Marie while on holiday in Turkey this summer and presented her with a sapphire, ruby and diamond engagement ring.

Photo: Steen Brogaard