Margrethe's & Henrik's gala for culture & sport

The Queen greets boxer Mikkel Kessler.

Last night Queen Margrethe and Prince Henrik hosted a big gala evening for nearly 400 guests from the worlds of culture and sport. It is eleven years since Queen Margrethe hosted the last ball to honour artists, entertainers, musicians and sports people. The celebration was at Christainsborg Palace with guests among Denmark's most pre-eminent architects, painters, actors, athletes and directors. There was dinner and dancing, although Crown Prince Frederik probably didn't do too much of the latter on crutches. Frederik was in high spirits however, and was speedy on the crutches as he and Crown Princess Mary made their way through Drabantsalen (the Guards' Room) past the assembled journalists on their way to the Knight's Hall for the evening's festivities.



Photos © Jens Nørgaard Larsen/Berlingske Tidende, Tariq Mikkel Khan/POLFOTO, Keld Navntoft/Scanpix/TV2, DR.dk/Scanpix, Hello!/Getty

The official guestlist (in Danish)
Menu and music (in Danish)

Fyens Stiftstidende 'Kæmpekjoler til kongeligt kæmpeselskab' - Giant evening gowns to giant royal celebration
Jyllands Posten 'Kæmpekjoler til kongeligt kæmpeselskab'
DR.dk 'Kultur- og sportsikoner til kongeligt kæmpeselskab' - Culture and sports icons to giant royal gala
...The occasion was the Regent Couple had invited about 380 of the best cultural and sports people to the palace to recognise the cultural and sports achievers of Denmark.
Queen Margrethe greeted the actor Anders Matthesen who wore Dannebrog-coloured shoes (the flag of Denmark).
On the long and varied visitor list was also the greatest comedians who proved they could behave in the royal presence.
"A good party isn't easy to say no to," laughed Anders Matthesen, while he stated that the greatest consideration of the day for him had been his choice of clothes.
A suit combined with red and white tennis shoes constituted the uniform for the evening, because "Dannebrog colours can go with everything".
"It's an acknowledgement and a form of respect to be along tonight," Anders Matthesen said to Ritzau.
As is custom, the last to arrive in the Knights Hall's (Riddersalen) with its beautifully decorated tables, was the royal family.
Both Crown Princess Mary and Princess Marie were in purple dresses, while queen Margrethe wore pink.
Crown Prince Frederik limped in through the hall to his place, but was clearly looking better after last week's knee surgery.
TV2 article 'Frederik i fin form til kunstnerbal' - Frederik in fine form for culture gala
The Regent Couple were hosts on Tuesday evening at an evening gala for culture and sport at Christiansborg Slot.
Between 350 and 400 of Denmark's leading sports and cultural names had been commanded to the evening party, first were invited for dinner and coffee followed by dancing in Riddersalen.
Among the banquet participants were sculptors, football players, actors, glass artists, dancers and representatives from the comedy scene - including comedians like Anders Matthesen, Lars Hjortshøj, Omar Marzouk and Anders Lund Madsen.
Also Prince Joachim, Prinsess Marie, Crown Princess Mary as well as Crown Prince Frederik were present.
And the Crown Prince was in good shape in spite of his recent ski injury - he manoeuvred the crutches like a true professional.
Hello! magazine 'Bow tie, cast and funky blue crutches for Frederik at smart soiree'

Berlingske Tidende gallery
Jyllands Posten gallery
B.T. gallery
MSN Starlounge gallery
TV2 gallery

TV2 clip (02:24)
TV2 clip (00:55)