Today, we celebrate a remarkable milestone in the life of a royal figure who has left an indelible mark on European history. Princess Marie of Denmark, the younger sister of Queen Margrethe II, is turning 80 years old. Born on February 5, 1940, Princess Marie has lived a life filled with dedication to her family, her country, and her philanthropic pursuits.
Throughout her life, Princess Marie has been a constant presence in Danish royal circles, supporting her sister, the Queen, and her family through various official engagements and charitable initiatives. Her commitment to her duties has earned her widespread respect and admiration. As she marks this significant birthday, we take a moment to reflect on her remarkable journey and the many ways in which she has contributed to the rich tapestry of Danish royal history.
what are some key milestones in Princess Marie’s life
- Birth and Early Life: Princess Marie was born on February 6, 1976, in Paris, France. She grew up speaking French and English, and later added Danish to her language repertoire after her engagement to Prince Joachim.
- Marriage and Stepparenting: Marie married Prince Joachim in 2008, becoming a stepmother to his two sons, Nikolai and Felix. She has also had two children with Joachim, Henrik and Athena.
- Royal Life and Patronages: Princess Marie has been actively involved in various royal duties and patronages, including her role as honorary president of DanChurchAid, a humanitarian foundation. She has also undertaken several humanitarian trips, such as her visit to Cambodia in 2022.
- Language Skills: Marie is multilingual, speaking French, English, Italian, Spanish, and Danish. Her language skills have been essential in her royal role and her ability to connect with her adopted countrymen.
- Family Life and Support: Princess Marie has built a close and loving family unit with her husband and children. Her friendly and outgoing nature has helped her navigate her royal duties and family responsibilities.
- 80th Birthday: In 2022, Princess Marie celebrated her 80th birthday, marking a significant milestone in her life and her contributions to the Danish royal family.
how did Princess Marie adapt to life in Denmark
what were some of Princess Marie’s first impressions of Denmark
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| Princess Marie-Cécile, 1992. |
Today Princess Marie-Cécile of Prussia celebrates her eightieth birthday!
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| Prince Louis Ferdinand and Princess Kira of Prussia with their children. |
Born on 28 May 1942 at Cadinen, Germany, Princess Marie-Cécile Kira Viktoria Luise of Prussia was the first daughter and third child of Prince Louis Ferdinand of Prussia (1907-1994) and Grand Duchess Kira Kirillovna of Russia (1909-1967). Marie-Cécile had six siblings: Prince Friedrich Wilhelm (1939-2015), Prince Michael (1940-2014), Princess Kira (1943-2004), Prince Louis Ferdinand (1944-1977; married Countess Donata zu Castell-Rüdenhausen), Prince Christian-Sigismund (b.1946; married Countess Nina zu Reventlow), and Princess Xenia (1949-1992).
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| Crown Prince Wilhelm. |
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| Crown Princess Cecilie. |
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| Grand Duke Kirill. |
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| Grand Duchess Victoria. |
The paternal grandparents of Princess Marie-Cécile were Crown Prince Wilhelm of Prussia (1882-1951) and Duchess Cecilie of Mecklenburg-Schwerin (1886-1956). Her maternal grandparents were Grand Duke Kirill Vladimirovich of Russia (1876-1938) and Princess Victoria Melita of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha (1876-1936).
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| Princess Marie-Cécile of Prussia, Duke Friedrich August of Oldenburg, and Princess Kira of Prussia. |
On 3 December 1965 at Berlin, Princess Marie-Cécile of Prussia civilly married Duke Friedrich August of Oldenburg (1936-2017), the sixth child and fourth son of Hereditary Grand Duke Nikolaus of Oldenburg and Princess Helena of Waldeck and Pyrmont. The couple celebrated their religious marriage the following day on 4 December. Marie-Cécile and Friedrich August had three children: Duke Paul-Wladimir (b.1969), Duchess Rixa (b.1970), and Duchess Bibiane (b.1974). Marie-Cécile and Friedrich August divorced on 23 November 1989. In 1991, Friedrich August married Marie-Cécile’s widowed sister-in-law Princess Donata.
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| Princess Marie-Cécile and her nephew Prince Georg Friedrich attend the funeral of their brother/uncle Prince Friedrich Wilhelm, 2015. Photo (c) AGE Fotostock. |
Our best wishes to the Princess on her birthday!
princess marie’s humanitarian work
- Birth and Early Life: Princess Marie was born on February 6, 1976, in Paris, France. She grew up speaking French and English, and later added Danish to her language repertoire after her engagement to Prince Joachim.
- Marriage and Stepparenting: Marie married Prince Joachim in 2008, becoming a stepmother to his two sons, Nikolai and Felix. She has also had two children with Joachim, Henrik and Athena.
- Royal Life and Patronages: Princess Marie has been actively involved in various royal duties and patronages, including her role as honorary president of DanChurchAid, a humanitarian foundation. She has also undertaken several humanitarian trips, such as her visit to Cambodia in 2022.
- Language Skills: Marie is multilingual, speaking French, English, Italian, Spanish, and Danish. Her language skills have been essential in her royal role and her ability to connect with her adopted countrymen.
- Family Life and Support: Princess Marie has built a close and loving family unit with her husband and children. Her friendly and outgoing nature has helped her navigate her royal duties and family responsibilities.
- 80th Birthday: In 2022, Princess Marie celebrated her 80th birthday, marking a significant milestone in her life and her contributions to the Danish royal family.
As we conclude our reflection on Princess Marie’s remarkable life, we are reminded of the numerous ways in which she has contributed to the Danish royal family and her adopted country. Her dedication to her royal duties, her philanthropic pursuits, and her commitment to her family have all been hallmarks of her remarkable journey. As we celebrate her 80th birthday, we are grateful for the many ways in which she has enriched the lives of those around her.
Throughout her life, Princess Marie has been a constant presence in Danish royal circles, supporting her sister, the Queen, and her family through various official engagements and charitable initiatives. Her commitment to her duties has earned her widespread respect and admiration. As she marks this significant birthday, we take a moment to reflect on her remarkable journey and the many ways in which she has contributed to the rich tapestry of Danish royal history. We wish her continued health, happiness, and success in her future endeavors.
what are some lesser-known facts about Princess Marie’s life before joining the Danish royal family
- Early Life and Education: Princess Marie was born on February 6, 1976, in Paris, France. She grew up speaking French and English, and later added Danish to her language repertoire after her engagement to Prince Joachim.
- Family Background: Marie’s parents, Alain Cavallier and Françoise Grassiot, divorced when she was young. She moved to Geneva, Switzerland, with her mother and attended the Collège Alpin International Beau Soleil boarding school in Switzerland.
- Career: Before marrying Prince Joachim, Princess Marie worked for various companies, including Estée Lauder, DoubleClick Inc, and Reuters financial news agency Radianz. She also earned a Bachelor of Arts at Marymount Manhattan College and studied economics in Geneva.
- Personal Interests: Princess Marie enjoys bike-riding, running, and skiing. She also shares a passion for racing with Prince Joachim.
- Philanthropic Pursuits: Princess Marie has been actively involved in various charitable initiatives, including her role as honorary president of DanChurchAid, a humanitarian foundation. She has undertaken several humanitarian trips, such as her visit to Cambodia in 2022.
These lesser-known facts provide a glimpse into Princess Marie’s life before joining the Danish royal family, highlighting her diverse background, career, and personal interests.
