Posted by joris (jovadewo) on 26/4/2008, 10:34:03, in reply to "Interview with Marie Cavallier in Point de Vue"
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The interview takes places in Geneva, where Marie Cavallier is staying to get prepared for the events to come in Denmark (elle se ressource). There are two new photos of her: one in Geneva. On one of them she jumps in the air out of happiness. And one photo of her is taken while her head is resting on a parkbench, together with her little doggie, a white poodle.
There are also two photos of the interior of Møgeltønder Church and the 68th birthday balcony scene on 16 April this year, with almost-princess Marie joining the Danish RF for the 1st time.
One photo shows Marie with her mother Francoise.
In the introduction Etienne de Monpezat says that in the interview she tells Point de Vue about her expectations and how she prepares herself to her new future which will change her life radically.
I tried to translate from French to English. If anyone sees something which I didn't translate well enough: yell and correct me!
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Between the official announcement of your engagement, October 2007, and the date of your wedding, 24 May, what happened?
You can imagine that this announcement put my daily life upside down. So, after the announcement I resigned from my work. I was no longer capable neither mentally nor physically to do my work. I like to do things in depth. It had become impossible for me to both carry out my work seriously and to do the preparations for the wedding. My thoughts were elsewhere...
But why did you stay at Geneva?
First of all one needs time to change one's life. Besides above all, in certain circles it's the rule that one doesn't live together with his or her fiancee before the actual wedding. It's a tradition and there was no reason for me at all not to respect this. All this didn't disturb me. On the contrary: I have to say even that this delay of things adds to the beauty of things and gives a romantic dimension to it all.
So how did you organise things?
I travelled incredibly much. Lets say that I spent almost all my weekends in Copenhagen. Later I alternated: one week in Denmark, one week in Switzerland.
When you are in Denmark, what do you do?
I began to, as it were, "go under the skin" of a Danish woman. I started becoming an apprentice in my new function, my new language, but also my new religion, as well as the history and traditions and customs of my new country.
In practice how did things go?
With regard to the language, for instance, I have to admit that I haven't made much progress. It must be said that my courses take place in Copenhagen while I spent most of my time at Schackenborg, Joachim's castle, which is not very near the capital. Which made that for the moment because of spending only about 6 hours per month on learning the language, I have just mastered the basics. It's a very difficult language, it has a very special pronounciation. But it doesn't worry me too much: once I will get immersed in the country; everything will go very fast then, I think.
How did you learn about Denmark's history?
That I could do on my own. But above all I have a formidable tutor here: Joachim! He has an exceptional memory, he knows the history of his country by heart - I have to add: especially of his family! He shows a lot of patience and is pedagogically strong.
So you now know the chronology of Danish history and you know how to make a list of kings in the right dynastical order?
The important dates, yes. As to the row of kings: that's rather easy. A Christian is followed by a Frederik, a Frederik by a Christian, etc. ... You just need to know the right number...
Which kings or queens are your favourites?
It's still too early to make a choice...The queen whom I prefer is the one I know best, Queen Margrethe II! It's not flattery at all, it's the truth: she is a personality and an exceptional person, in every sense of the word. She knows how to combine her professional side with an evident natural attitude. Like Joachim. The two are alike.
Did you already enter into your new life?
Just a little bit. Joachim, for instance, used each of my stays at Schackenborg to introduce me to new friends. I was especially greatly surprised how quickly relationships could be established. Despite the cultural differences, the relations with them go easily, in a natural way, sometimes even intensely. Seldom superficially in any case. It seems to me that this is a special quality which can be attributed to the Danes: an ease in making contacts, which one also finds with Americans for instance.
You lived in New York, Paris, Geneva. What do you feel about living in the country?
Eternal question indeed. I love the countryside, the beauty of the woods, the hunting season.. We will have the possibility of receiving friends there, to me a real dreamlike perspective. I must add that the castle itself has something extremely light about it. White exterior, furnished in lively colours. It inspires to joi de vivre. I don't forget to add that I love solitude and I don't know what being bored is. Joachim doesn't either. We will go to Copenhagen often, perhaps we will even have the possibility to travel.
Did you change anything to the castle, for instance as to the use of the rooms?
Not yet really. But we discussed it already. And we have some ideas...
So, in Denmark nothing has scared you so far?
But yes, of course. Having said that I try to see things in perspective. And seeing how lucky I am having a future husband who is extremely thoughtful and gentle, who never ceases to give me shoulder to lean on, who listens to me and who supports me, I am not really worried, I am even completely convinced of it, I dare say.
Sorry for asking this, but this new life of princess must surely not always be easy?
O yes, the worry to succeed, to be capable of my task, let's simply say of my function. Whether you like it or not, a princess has a representational function. Which means to transmit an image. This image should be in line with what the country basically is. It's about being an ambassador, in the best sense of the word. The difficulty will be to deal with it naturally, in other words whilst at the same time remaining yourself. Summarized: what concerns me is to be convincing in these roles which are intertwined: both that of a Danish woman and of myself, always.
Your wedding will take place on 24 May. In what spiritual state are you finding yourself now...?
Happy, that's clear. And relaxed. Because we have wished to give this day a familiar and intimate side - even if this latter aspect is something relative, because the religious ceremony will be on TV! But we insisted that our wedding would take place in the country, at home. I always dreamed about getting married there where I would be living. I am in the fortunate situation that the man I love owns this castle which he adores, which he inherited at the age of nine and which gradually has become the place of his heart. On top of that - cherry on the cake! - the little church of the village is ravishing... This is a real fairytale: to have succeeded in giving the party the nature of something private, apart from the religious ceremony. We were allowed to do so, so we took the opportunity!
What's your definition of happiness?
To know that you go through life at the side of the man you love. But I already told you. One should read find a new word for it. Just for us two.
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Translation: Joris
