Princess Marie of Denmark, a member of the royal family, celebrated her 70th birthday on March 6, 2021. This milestone marks a significant event in the life of a dedicated philanthropist and a devoted member of the Danish royal family. Born on March 6, 1959, Princess Marie has spent her life serving the Danish people and supporting various charitable causes.
Throughout her life, Princess Marie has been a constant presence in Danish society, using her platform to promote social welfare and cultural development. Her tireless efforts have earned her widespread respect and admiration. As she enters this new chapter in her life, it is essential to reflect on her remarkable achievements and the lasting impact she has had on the lives of those around her. This article will delve into the life and legacy of Princess Marie, highlighting her most notable contributions and the significance of her 70th birthday.
what are some key milestones in Princess Marie’s career
- Patronage of DanChurchAid: Princess Marie has been the honorary president of DanChurchAid, the Danish church’s humanitarian foundation, since 2011. Her work with the organization has focused on human rights, poverty, and sustainable development, particularly in Cambodia, where she has visited multiple times.
- Royal Family Involvement: As a member of the Danish royal family, Princess Marie has been involved in various royal duties, including attending official events, supporting charitable causes, and participating in diplomatic missions.
- Philanthropic Efforts: Princess Marie has been dedicated to various philanthropic causes, including supporting children’s welfare, education, and healthcare initiatives. Her humanitarian work has earned her widespread respect and admiration.
- Celebrating 100 Years of DanChurchAid: In 2021, Princess Marie celebrated the 100th anniversary of DanChurchAid, marking a significant milestone in her long-standing commitment to the organization.
- Support from Princess Mary: Princess Marie has received support from her sister-in-law, Crown Princess Mary of Denmark, who has had similar experiences as a commoner-turned-royal. This support has been particularly valuable in helping Princess Marie adjust to her new role.
These milestones highlight Princess Marie’s dedication to humanitarian work, her involvement in the Danish royal family, and her commitment to various philanthropic causes.
what humanitarian work has Princess Marie been involved in
- DanChurchAid: As the honorary President of DanChurchAid, Princess Marie has worked to combat global poverty, hunger, and oppression. She has visited several countries, including Cambodia, Uganda, and Myanmar, to support the organization’s projects and partners.
- Humanitarian Trips: Princess Marie has undertaken multiple humanitarian trips with DanChurchAid, focusing on issues such as sustainable food production, climate adaptation, and human rights. She has visited projects like Fresh Fruit Nexus in Uganda and Wefood in Denmark, which aim to reduce food waste and provide sustainable food to those affected by poverty.
- Disaster Response: Princess Marie has also been involved in disaster response efforts. She has received training from the Danish Emergency Management Agency (DEMA) and has performed duty as a project manager for disaster prevention.
- Support for Vulnerable Communities: Princess Marie has worked with organizations like Mith Samlanh, LICADHO, and Voices for Gender Equality to support vulnerable children, families, and marginalized groups, such as members of the LGBTQ+ community and women experiencing domestic violence.
These humanitarian efforts demonstrate Princess Marie’s commitment to addressing global challenges and improving the lives of those in need.
what specific projects has Princess Marie supported in Cambodia
- Mith Samlanh: A partner of DanChurchAid that works with vulnerable children and families.
- LICADHO: A human rights organization that focuses on issues such as gender-based violence and human rights.
- Voices for Gender Equality (VGE): A project that aims to increase the capacities of women to claim their rights and combat gender-based violence (GBV).
- Farming projects: Princess Marie visited farming lands in Kampong Chhnang province, where she saw how locals were trying to produce food that earns them a living wage while also fighting for the sustainability of the produce.
These projects reflect Princess Marie’s commitment to addressing issues such as poverty, sustainable development, and human rights in Cambodia.
On 6 February 1951, Princess Marie-Christine Daphné Astrid Elisabeth Léopoldine of Belgium as born at Laeken as the second child and eldest daughter of King Léopold III of the Belgians (1901-1983) and his second wife Mary Lilian Baels (1916-2002; created Princess de Réthy). As such, Marie-Christine (who sometimes goes by her middle name: Daphné) is the half-sister of King Albert II of the Belgians (b.1934) and the late Grand Duchess Joséphine-Charlotte of Luxembourg (1928-2005; née Belgium) and King Baudouin of the Belgians (1930-1993); these three were the children of Léopold III and his first wife Queen Astrid (1905-1935; née Sweden).
Since 1980, Princess Marie-Christine of Belgium has lived in the United States of America. She now is a resident of Sequim, Washington; the town has a population of less than 7,000 people. The princess resides there with her second husband, Jean-Paul Gourgues; the couple celebrated their thirtieth wedding anniversary on 28 September of this year.
The only member of Marie-Christine’s family to remain in contact with her is Princess Marie-Esmeralda (b.1956), Marie-Christine’s only full sister. In regards to her sister, Esmeralda has stated: “Marie-Christine does not want any more contact. Not with the family, not with the friends of the past. It is her choice. She says she has a new life. This situation has been going on for three or four years now. It makes me sad, but I respect her decision. I tried, but she really does not want anything else. I cannot force her. ”
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| Princess Marie-Christine of Belgium and her first husband Paul Druker (1981) Photograph (c) UPC |
Marie-Christine has been estranged from the Belgian royal family for most of her adult life; the princess did not attend the funerals of her parents or of her brother Prince Alexandre (1942-2009). She had a difficult relationship with her mother, the Princess de Réthy, who was a rather strong character. In 1981, Princess Marie-Christine was very briefly married to Canadian Paul Druker (1937-2008). In 1989, the princess married her second husband Jean-Paul, a native of Bordeaux.
what are the main goals of DanChurchAid’s projects in Cambodia
- Patronage of DanChurchAid: Princess Marie has been the honorary president of DanChurchAid, the Danish church’s humanitarian foundation, since 2011. Her work with the organization has focused on human rights, poverty, and sustainable development, particularly in Cambodia, where she has visited multiple times.
- Royal Family Involvement: As a member of the Danish royal family, Princess Marie has been involved in various royal duties, including attending official events, supporting charitable causes, and participating in diplomatic missions.
- Philanthropic Efforts: Princess Marie has been dedicated to various philanthropic causes, including supporting children’s welfare, education, and healthcare initiatives. Her humanitarian work has earned her widespread respect and admiration.
- Celebrating 100 Years of DanChurchAid: In 2021, Princess Marie celebrated the 100th anniversary of DanChurchAid, marking a significant milestone in her long-standing commitment to the organization.
- Support from Princess Mary: Princess Marie has received support from her sister-in-law, Crown Princess Mary of Denmark, who has had similar experiences as a commoner-turned-royal. This support has been particularly valuable in helping Princess Marie adjust to her new role.
These milestones highlight Princess Marie’s dedication to humanitarian work, her involvement in the Danish royal family, and her commitment to various philanthropic causes.
As we conclude this article celebrating the 70th birthday of Princess Marie of Denmark, we are reminded of her remarkable journey and dedication to humanitarian work. Throughout her life, Princess Marie has been a constant presence in Danish society, using her platform to promote social welfare and cultural development. Her tireless efforts have earned her widespread respect and admiration, and it is essential to reflect on her remarkable achievements and the lasting impact she has had on the lives of those around her.
As we look back on Princess Marie’s life, we are reminded of her unwavering commitment to her work. From her early days as a commoner to her current role as a member of the Danish royal family, Princess Marie has consistently demonstrated her dedication to making a positive difference in the world. Her humanitarian trips, including her recent visit to Cambodia, have been a testament to her enduring passion for helping others. As we wish Princess Marie a happy 70th birthday, we are reminded of the importance of her work and the lasting impact she will continue to have on the lives of those around her.
what are some of Princess Marie’s most notable achievements in her humanitarian career
- Patronage of DanChurchAid: Princess Marie has been the honorary President of DanChurchAid, the Danish church’s humanitarian foundation, since 2011. She has been instrumental in promoting the organization’s mission to combat global poverty, hunger, and oppression.
- Humanitarian Trips: Princess Marie has undertaken multiple humanitarian trips to countries such as Cambodia, Uganda, and Myanmar, focusing on issues like sustainable food production, climate adaptation, and human rights.
- Support for Vulnerable Communities: Princess Marie has worked with organizations like Mith Samlanh, LICADHO, and Voices for Gender Equality to support vulnerable children, families, and marginalized groups, such as members of the LGBTQ+ community and women experiencing domestic violence.
- Farming Projects: Princess Marie has visited farming lands in Kampong Chhnang province, Cambodia, where she saw how locals were trying to produce food that earns them a living wage while also fighting for the sustainability of the produce.
- Wefood and FoedevareBanken: Princess Marie has worked with Wefood, a supermarket that promotes sustainability and accessibility by collecting surplus produce and selling it, and FoedevareBanken, a Danish food bank that fights food waste and poverty.
These achievements demonstrate Princess Marie’s commitment to addressing global challenges and improving the lives of those in need.
