Princess Mary and Prince Frederik wow Sydney & expresses heartbreak for NSW bushfire victims

AUSTRALIAN-born Princess Mary and Crown Prince Frederik of Denmark will be staying in Sydney until October 28 and attending an array of events and ceremonies while they’re here.

The pair kicked off their visit with a stop off at the Sydney Opera House yesterday waving to crowds gathered at the iconic building's forecourt.

The couple have spoken of their grief for those caught up in the devastating NSW bushfires. "It's heartbreaking," Princess Mary told reporters in the crowd.

As they greeted schoolchildren on the steps of the Sydney Opera House this morning the pair expressed their concern for all those involved.

"We've been monitoring the situation for the past eight days from Denmark," she told reporters at the Opera House on its 40th anniversary.

"Our deepest sympathies go to those who have been affected ... Our utmost respect goes to those who are working to control these fires that are really scary."

She said that while bushfires were a part of Australian life, "it's always heartbreaking to see people who are losing possessions and homes".

Jorn Utzon's son, Jan, told reporters the links between Denmark and Australia were "wonderful" and that his father would be proud.

"I feel his spirit is here with us in the Opera House, the most important achievement for him in his life."
He said he would "happily" be back in 10 years' time for the House's 50th anniversary.

Alongside celebrations at Bennelong Point, the Danish Royals will also visit Government House, attend the opening of the Ole Lynggaard store, attend the Premier's Reading Challenge at Five Dock Primary School, open the Danish Design at the House exhibition and visit the Australian Twin Registry at the Sydney Children's Hospital.



The couple, who famously met at the Slip Inn pub during the 2000 Olympics - close to Metro Hotels on Darling Harbour, have four children: Prince Christian, Princess Isabella and twins Prince Vincent and Princess Josephine.

They last visited Australia in 2011.

Sources:
http://www.smh.com.au/lifestyle/celebrity/princess-mary-and-prince-frederik-wow-sydney-opera-house-crowds-20131024-2w31y.html
http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/entertainment/celebrity/princess-mary-and-prince-frederik-express-heartbreak-for-nsw-bushfire-victims/story-fni0b8dv-1226745816906

Denmark’s Crown Prince Couple Arrive in Sydney

On a stunning Sydney morning Crown Princess Mary and Crown Prince Frederick walked out onto the Sydney Opera House steps to wish “Happy Birthday” to the 40-year-old Australian icon.

The couple are patrons of the birthday celebrations, representing the perfect contemporary union of Denmark and Australia, a symbol for our union decades ago with Danish architect Jorn Utzon.

In the crowds is Jan Utzon, Jorn’s architect son, proud to be here to see his father’s work gleaming so brightly in the sunshine.

A throng of school children greet the Crown Princess who is the picture of elegance in a silver dress with blue floral designs and impressively towering Jimmy Choo heels.

The children are from class 5A of Redlands School. Ten-year-old Stephanie tells me she is incredibly excited to be here and has been practising her curtsey.

Her fellow classmate Carl Hansen is Danish and has been here in Sydney for four years. He’s the son of Danish Consul Michael Hansen and has met Crown Princess Mary before.

Carl is a huge fan of the Australian-born Crown Princess and thrilled to be able to share his special connection with his school friends.

Also in the crowd are retirees Shirley and Terry Perrott from Canberra. They’re in Sydney to see Lisa McCune and Teddy Tahu Rhodes South Pacific tonight but couldn’t resist the opportunity to see Crown Princess Mary face to face. And they weren’t disappointed.

As Mary walked along greeting the crowd she spied Shirley and shook her hand.

“She’s very beautiful” a thrilled Shirley tells me afterwards. “I won’t forget this day.”

As the couple left the throng of well-wishers many waving Danish fans, the crowd clapped and cheered.

This is the first stop on a four day tour which will see the Crown Prince Couple visiting a school, Randwick Children’s hospital, a wind farm, Danish designer shops, a clutch of events at the Sydney Opera House and later today meeting NSW Governor Marie Bashir at Government House.

Images - Taken by Prudence Upton

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Navy's International Fleet Review Will Be Biggest Sydney Party Since 2000 Olympic Games

SYDNEY will welcome more than 40 warships into the harbour and Prince Harry as the city and the Royal Australian Navy celebrate the International Fleet Review. 

On Friday, October 4 the entire city will come to a halt as a fleet of 40 warships from 20 different nations enter the harbour.

The current ship to carry the name Sydney, HMAS Sydney (IV), will lead the fleet through the heads.
In addition to the arrival of the ships, Imagination - the team behind the 2011 and 2012 New Year's eve events - will produce the Royal Australian Navy's International Fleet Review Spectacular on October 5.

The event, which is expected to be the biggest public display in Australia since the 2000 Olympics, will feature an extensive array of pyrotechnics, lights and projections that will light up the harbour and seven selected ships.

Heath Campanaro, director of Imagination and project manager, said the 30-minute event would utilise the decks of seven warships and vantage points around the harbour to simulate WWII in Sydney.

A spectacular fireworks show and mock war will light up the harbour.

"There will be 28 lighting positions in the city as well as seven warships on the harbour and we will have projections, a soundtrack and plenty of pyrotechnics," he said.

"The pyrotechnics are going to be the biggest thing of all and we have again asked Foti Fireworks to be involved because we have a great relationship with those guys."

Mr Campanaro said the Royal Australian Navy's International Fleet Review Spectacular would be unlike anything Sydney had ever experienced before.

"There are going to be so many layers happening at the same time when we put this on," he said.

Warships will be used to mount an amazing harbour light show.

"We are creating scenes that replicate WWII where we will feel like Sydney is under attack. We will have choppers flying over and sailors will be doing activities on deck. There will be lots of lighting, lots of action and the whole thing will be amazing."

* For more information on the International Fleet Review, visit: navy.gov.au/ifr

Prince Harry to Visit Australia

Britain's Prince Harry makes a speech at the Friends of the Forces Awards in London on July 13, 2010. The royal will visit Australia next month for events in Sydney marking the Royal Australian Navy's centenary of service, Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott has said. (AFP/File) 

Britain's Prince Harry will visit Australia next month for events in Sydney marking the Royal Australian Navy's centenary of service, Prime Minister Tony Abbott said Monday.

"Whilst Prince Harry visited Australia privately in his gap year in 2003, this will be his first official visit to Australia," Abbott said in a statement.

"During his visit next month, Prince Harry will attend the International Fleet Review in Sydney to mark the centenary of the first entry of the Royal Australian Navy's Fleet into Sydney."

Abbott said Australians had great warmth towards members of the royal family and Prince Harry, the fourth in line to the British throne, would be an "honoured visitor".

"As a member of the armed forces, Prince Harry has continued a long tradition of duty and service," he said.
"His work and advocacy for numerous charitable organisations has also been an important focus of his public life."

The Royal Australian Navy will commemorate the arrival of its first fleet 100 years ago into Sydney Harbour with a spectacular International Fleet Review from October 3. Some 54 international warships and 17 tall ships will take part.

The British royals are generally popular in Australia. The country rejected the opportunity to cut ties to the monarchy in a 1999 referendum, with just over 45 percent of voters saying "yes" to a republic.

Prince Harry's Hats-off Three Cheers Salute in Sydney Harbour Naval Extravaganza

PRINCE Harry - the playboy royal and fourth in line to the British throne - is expected to receive a hats-off three cheers royal salute from thousands of sailors on Sydney Harbour next month.

It is understood Harry will be accompanied by Governor-general Quentin Bryce when he takes the royal salute by sailing past some 40 warships on board a royal barge or another navy boat.

According to well-placed sources the prince is odds-on to be guest of honour at the Royal Australian Navy's centenary celebrations, however no official announcement will be made until a week before the gala event on Sydney Harbour between October 3 and 10.

"It is highly likely that Harry will be in Sydney although no details have been firmed up,'' a source said.

The International Fleet Review will mark the 100th anniversary of the arrival in Sydney of the brand new seven-ship Royal Australian Navy fleet led by the flagship HMAS Australia in October 1913.

The centenary will be officially celebrated on October 5 with a royal review by the prince of 21 RAN vessels and 19 overseas warships as well as 16 tall ships that will sail into the harbour on October 3.

Each warship will formally salute the HMAS Sydney memorial on Bradleys Head as they enter the harbour on October 4.

Prince Harry stands in front of an Apache Helicopter a few days after the royal, a trainee Apache helicopter pilot, passed the half-decade milestone to become a captain. Source: Getty Images

The review will also feature fly-pasts by 37 types of military and civilian aircraft ranging from helicopters to Hornet jet fighters.

Palace sources remain tight-lipped about any trip to Australia.

A spokesman for Kensington Palace, Prince Harry's official mouthpiece, said it simply was not currently in a position to comment.

"Announcements of overseas visits by members of the Royal Family are made in due course after an official invitation is received,'' the spokesman said.

Prince Harry visits The Royal Marines Tamar on August 2, 2013. Picture: Getty Source: Getty Images

On the question of whether his current girlfriend Cressida Bonas was also planning to visit Sydney at the same time, the spokesman said that was a matter for her, but there were no plans for her to accompany Prince Harry on any trip whether domestic or overseas.

Royal commentators scoffed at rumours that a royal would ever take a girlfriend on an overseas trip, as completely contrary to all protocols for any official royal or government official.

The centrepiece of the International Fleet review will be a fireworks and light show spectacular focused on the Harbour Bridge and Sydney Opera House on the evening of Saturday October 5.

For the first time Australia's fireworks capital will see pyrotechnics launched from the decks of navy warships.

A fleet of eight tall ships took sail on Port Phillip Bay participating in events leading up to International Fleet Day in Sydney next month. Source: News Limited

This will signal the start of the biggest party seen in Sydney since the Bicentenary with 8000 cashed up sailors and tens of thousands of revellers set to spend up to $100 million during the week-long celebration that will cost taxpayers about $6 million to stage.

A projection show will be seen on both sides of the Opera House sails, the eastern side of the Harbour Bridge pylons and the roof of the Australian National Maritime Museum in Darling Harbour.

Britain's Prince Harry. Picture: Source: AP

Prince Harry or Captain Wales, 30, is a British Army helicopter pilot and Afghanistan war veteran and has visited Australia once before - in 2003, when he spent most of his time working on a Queensland sheep station.

The NSW Government has been lobbying hard for his possible visit to be turned into a full-blown Royal tour, but that is unlikely given his heavy work commitments.

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Princess Package at Metro Apartments on Darling Harbour

Metro Apartments Darling Harbour is rolling out the red carpet when Crown Princess Mary and Crown Prince Frederik arrive in Sydney to officially launch the Opera House’s 40th birthday celebrations on October 20.  

In celebration of the anniversary, the City of Sydney is planning a week of events that will culminate in a Gala Birthday Concert on October 27 with performances by Sydney Symphony, Sydney Philarmonia Choirs and Opera Australia.

Located opposite the Slip Inn where the couple first met, Metro Apartments Darling Harbour has released a special Princess Package at $229.00 per night (Sunday – Thursday) and $349.00 per night (Friday – Saturday), giving both international and local visitors to Sydney the opportunity to be pampered like royalty:

Princess Package

• One night’s accommodation in a one bedroom Executive Apartment with stunning views of Darling Harbour and floor to ceiling cathedral windows overlooking Darling Harbour
• Complimentary sparkling wine and chocolates
• Noon checkout
• Minimum 2 night stay
• Valid until October 31, 2013

Book this Princess Package at Metro Apartments on Darling Harbour 

With 32 recently renovated loft-style one-bedroom apartments, each with a queen sized bed and sofa bed, Metro Apartments Darling Harbour offer all the comforts of home with the convenience of a perfect city location. 

Located in two separate buildings in Sussex and King Streets, guests can choose from the larger, contemporary-styled Sussex St apartments with views over Darling Harbour or a New York styled King Street apartment with access to rooftop pool.

All apartments have full kitchen and laundry facilities, spacious living rooms with cathedral windows and bedroom. They are designed as a home away from home where guests can relax at the end of a long day’s sightseeing, or just have a break before venturing out again to explore more of one of the world’s most famous and beautiful cities. Discount parking is provided at the nearby Kings Parking on Sussex Street.

View this press release and more at Metro Hotels Press Releases

Special Princess Package to welcome Danish Royals

Media Release

September 2, 2013

Special Princess Package to welcome Danish Royals

Metro Apartments Darling Harbour is rolling out the red carpet when Crown Princess Mary and Crown Prince Frederik arrive in Sydney to officially launch the Opera House’s 40^th birthday celebrations on October 20. 

In celebration of the anniversary, the City of Sydney is planning a week of events that will culminate in a Gala Birthday Concert on October 27 with performances by Sydney Symphony, Sydney Philarmonia Choirs and Opera Australia.

Located opposite the Slip Inn where the couple first met, Metro Apartments Darling Harbour 

has released a special Princess Package at $229 per night (Sunday – Thursday) and $349 per night (Friday – Saturday), giving both international and local visitors to Sydney the opportunity to be pampered like royalty:

Princess Package

§     One night’s accommodation in a one bedroom Executive Apartment with stunning views of Darling Harbour and floor to ceiling cathedral windows overlooking Darling Harbour

§     Complimentary sparkling wine and chocolates

§     Noon checkout

§     Minimum 2 night stay

§     Valid until October 31, 2013

With 32 recently renovated loft-style one-bedroom apartments, each with a queen sized bed and sofa bed, Metro Apartments Darling Harbour offer all the comforts of home with the convenience of a perfect city location.

Located in two separate buildings in Sussex and King Streets, guests can choose from the larger, contemporary-styled Sussex St apartments with views over Darling Harbour or a New York styled King Street apartment with access to rooftop pool.

All apartments have full kitchen and laundry facilities, spacious living rooms with cathedral windows and bedroom. They are designed as a home away from home where guests can relax at the end of a long day’s sightseeing, or just have a break before venturing out again to explore more of one of the world’s most famous and beautiful cities. Discount parking is provided at the nearby Kings Parking on Sussex Street.

Book the Princess Package at Metro Apartments Darling Harbour by calling the toll free Central Reservations line on 1800 004 321. Alternately, bookings can be made online at www.metrohotels.com.au. 

Metro Hotels is the public face of Transmetro Corporation, an Australian owned public company listed on the Australian Stock Exchange. The Group currently provides a national accommodation network of properties, with over 1000 rooms in key locations and major cities across Australia.