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Absolutely - I think Frederik spent his twenties having a LOT of fun but when it came time for marriage, he was looking for a real woman of substance to be his partner, soulmate, helper and best friend. And then on top of all of that, Mary is this supremely elegant and graceful woman.
Mary's biography and transformation never ceases to amaze me -- she was a totally ordinary/average girl when Frederik met her and now she is this stunning superwoman. I hope no one thinks it awful of me to say but the pictures of Mary at the Slip Inn showed (to *me* anyway) somone quite average that I wouldn't give a second look to when passing on the street. Cupid was definitely in the air that night, though and Mary must have made quite an impression. Please don't hate me for saying that! I know there is more to life than looks....but Frederik's past girlfriends certainly were not "average" in the looks department! And now it is almost a different person altogether...it is really an inspiration to me (that I too can lose those extra 5 pounds.... just kidding )
http://img10.imageshack.us/img10/2562/ca4stiu3.jpghttp://img10.imageshack.us/img10/7839/cae5qbo5.jpghttp://img10.imageshack.us/img10/9905/caotajg9.jpgI agree with the word 'average looking.' That is what has fascinated me about their meeting, romance, courting eventual marriage. Looking at pics of Fred's former girlfriends and then looking at Mary at the time of their dating I could for the life of me not understand why he chose someone so average looking. She must be a very interesting person to talk to, understanding, caring, loving etc that captured his heart. She has become a beautiful person to top off all those characteristics.
Hmmmmm......... I wonder about this often. I don't think she was that average looking to start with. She definitely had/has something. Apparently that evening at the Slip Inn they started talking and probably found that they had a lot in common, especially in the area of sport. Riding, sailing, golf etc. I think Frederick saw something very special... and he couldn't have found it further from is homeland!! I do think Australia is exotic and appealing in alot of ways, especially if you are from a colder northern country.
Also I think Frederick enjoys the normalcy of Mary's family. BBQ's, playing at the park etc. I think he saw early on that he wanted more of that kind of upbringing for his own offspring, definitely a stark contrast to his own one.
I really don't think he could have found a better life partner. Mary is a fast learner and I believe during the early courtship she paid close attention to other royal spouses/girlfriends and decided to go for it. Obviously Mary feels very confident in her own skin...let's face it when you look good, you feel good.....
I am from New Zealand and my husband is German, we met while we were both living in London. He wanted to know all about NZ and had already been in Aus. as a teenager and found it to be a much more open culture than his own. It made for very good conversation the first few dates and it was funny how our lives were at times very similar and at other times very different. We lived 5 years in Aus, and although that was 4 years ago we still call Aus. our home.
It also has to be said that Mary's ex-boyfriend (his name escapes me) is also one not to kick out of bed for eating crackers. He was quite the Spunk (from the pics) as I remember.
Incidentally was there not published something about Mary having alot of "Yoga and Joghurt" in preparation for the wedding.
What is so captivating about their story is that I feel like Mary really could have been anyone....how many thousands of "average" girls were at pubs that night that were more of Frederik's type and could have caught his attention (I'm sure many are thinking, "that could have been ME!!!)? It is such a strange chance meeting that it almost makes me believe in fate/destiny or at least the power of interpersonal chemistry. I believe Frederik did say at their engagment interview that there was a powerful connection from the start... I *really* want to know what Mary said that night to land a crown prince!
On the other hand, this otherwise "average" girl has turned out to be a supremely wonderful and confident wife, mother and princess. Could anyone have guessed this based on her pictures from the Slip Inn? Did Frederik have some kind of special princess-locating powers? How many other "average" people are walking amidst us that possess such inner grace and talent but are never recognized?
I agree (although Maxima, Mette-Marit and Letizia haven't changed *that* much) -- to my humble eyes, Diana, Rania and Mary have had the most dramatic changes mostly because they were quite casual, athletic girls before marriage and blossomed into glamorous, WOW princesses that totally look like they were all born for the role (plus a little plastic surgery never hurt! ) Mette-Marit still has a very natural look and although wears expensive clothes, something about her is charmingly girlish. I don't want to compare more for risk of getting scolded!
I read a biography of Jackie Kennedy where someone close to her commented on her face actually changing dramatically after she became famous -- that the glare of celebrity does something to your DNA! I think he was semi-joking but I can see this happening -- or at least the perma-smile affecting your wrinkles!
Yeah...but only Rania had plastic surgery to change her nose...Diana and Mary did not have plastic surgery. And Letizia had surgery for a deviated septum which resulted in a much straighter nose so her appearance has changed! With Diana and Mary...well yes, they both lost a lot of weight but Diana suffered from bulimia while Mary used diet (its nice to have someone cooking your meals) and exercise (horse riding (its nice to have your own horse); walking and jogging (its nice to live in a palace with a fantastic park; pilates etc).
Another thing that fascinated me about the courtship of CP Frederik and CP Mary is that they saw each other every 2 or so months and were able to sustain and grow a relationship at such a long distance through letters, emails and daily phone calls. I mean...they must have had a lot to talk about!!!!!
Mary has obviously always been a driven person, whether it be through sport or through self-improvement. She is clearly someone who wants to live the most she can every day. Perhaps the early death of a much-loved family member gave her a salutory and permanent reminder of the fragility of life and left as its legacy her desire to embrace life to the full. Either way, one thing that has always struck ME about Mary is her positivity. The 'Mary Donaldson' documentary gives that impression very clearly, I believe. She comes across as someone who is focused, driven, positive and yet willing to learn and improve herself. I'm sure it is these characteristics, rather than supermodel looks, that Fred sought out in his future wife - not because he is a future King of Denmark, but because he wanted his life partner to possess those sorts of characteristics.
We're not in the public eye and not photographed by the paparazzi day and night so don't know what pressure being under that sort of spotlight places on a person, even one as obviously confident and content as Mary. The pressure to be thin must be enormous.
I do recall vaguely that she had a health problem (gall bladder?) that meant she had to switch to a fairly rigorous low fat diet. Perhaps a simple change in diet has paid dividends in terms of weight loss?
I don't think that Mary was at all average. She was beautiful then and she is even more beautiful now. In a conversation with a good looking man who had all of her hobbies in common with her, both of them enjoying a night out with friends, who knows how radiant she might have been? She is a kind, intelligent, fun and thoughtful articulate lady. She likes to have fun and they had a lot in common. I don't think it was any surprise that Fred thought she was the bees knees.
Those pictures of her running out of her gymn are the ones that always stay with me from the early days. She was laughing as she came up the stairs and out on to the street and she was in running trousers, trainers and a lightweight jacket. She looked stunning. She also looked stunning in the pictures of her walking at lunchtime with Chris Meehan. Not as coiffured or polished, but still beautiful.
The charisma is an important point. I think she is charismatic, and that only adds to the attractiveness. Happy, positive, genuine people are attractive.
Mary's father has said that she has worked hard to achieve all of the things that sh has wantd in her life, and that earning her place in Denmark would be simply another thing that she would work hard at. That's appealing too. People find it inspiring and endearing. How can you not admire someone who has humility, integrity, a fantastic work ethic, is charming and conscientous?
Mary's sister said about the weight loss that Mary had always taken her fitness and training seriously, and that she was simply working harder as part of fulfilling her role as Crown Princess. I don't believe Mary ever felt pressured to lose weight or get thinner. I think she saw it as part of her job description to look as good as she could and to be as fit as possible so that she could be a credit to Frederik and Denmark - in fact, she said that last bit herself. At the beginning, while she was still learning Danish and still learning her role and finding out what she wanted to do, one of the things she could be was an ambassador for Danish fashion. She didn't need to be able to speak Danish to do that. But to do it well, she needed to be slim. Mary would never be thin for the sake of being thin, she would work at getting super fit! The weight loss happened in the run up to the wedding as well - if you look at the photo's of the wedding rehearsal Mary looks almot gaunt. As indeed she might after a hectic week of nonstop wedding appointments, meeting up with family, fittings, meetings, and private appointments. Most brides lose weight in the last weeks, Mary was already slim so it showed more. By the time she came back from honeymoon she looked less thin and perfectly healthy and slim.
I don't think it's anything mysterious or remarkable. She was always a beautiful girl who always worked hard to get where she wanted. Nothing has changed in her.
