Joy at birth of a future king

By Fiona Hudson in Copenhagen
October 16, 2005

WITH husband Frederik by her side, Australian-born Crown Princess Mary yesterday gave birth to the future king of Denmark.

The 3.5kg, 51cm baby arrived after a 10-hour labour in Copenhagen's University Hospital.
The proud father emerged from the hospital several hours later, looking tired but happy as he spoke of his new-born son, who arrived two weeks early.

"It's an indescribable feeling for me and my wife," he said.

"Of course, it is tremendous joy - it's a sort of warmth coming up from deep within you. You discover new sides of warmth and love.

"I am completely overwhelmed and slowly trying to realise what's just happened eight hours ago."

Using his hands to demonstrate the baby's size, Frederik told reporters outside the hospital his healthy new son measured about 50cm.

"He looks like any small, new-born child - he's asleep now. He doesn't know what is awaiting him."

Frederik, who was with his wife throughout the labour and cut the umbilical cord, laughingly described himself as being "a great help".

Chief doctor Morten Hedegaard said both Mary and her husband had been "brave" during the labour and birth.

Dr Hedegaard said the child was very beautiful and the parents were understandably very proud.

Frederik said he and Mary were yet to decide on a name for the baby although he is most likely to be named Christian, because Danish kings have alternately carried either that name or Frederik since 1559.

Mary is the first Australian to join a European royal family, and her child is believed to be the first European royal with Australian blood. Mary's elder sister, Jane Stephens, who lives in Hobart, said the family was excited by the birth.

"We are absolutely thrilled and delighted with the happy addition to our family," she said.

At noon, Copenhagen erupted in a cacophony of sound as cannons rang out across the water.

In the forecourt of the Queen's palace, uniformed guards trilled their way along the cobblestones.

An audience of about 500 broke into applause at the musical performance celebrating the birth of their future king.

Car horns tooted and bells rang out across the city. Children sat atop their parents' shoulders, waving Danish flags and laughing with joy.

Local mother Connie Ahm was at the palace with her two-year-old daughter to take in the spectacle.

"The guns, the royalty, the traditions ... it's just wonderful," Ms Ahm said.

Earlier, several hundred people had gathered outside Frederik and Mary's city apartment. Others stopped briefly to drop off flowers and gifts.

Youngsters Anna-Sophie Svendsen, nine, and Sabine Petersen, eight, carried a single red rose each for the new arrival.

"It's very exciting," Anna-Sophie said. "I want to be a princess too."

At Amalienborg Palace, crowds gathered with flags and gifts, although many admitted being caught unawares by the royal heir's early arrival.

"It was so soon and so quick," Edith Black said. "We didn't expect it yet."

The maternity ward at University Hospital had been cleared of patients earlier in the week in readiness for the princess.

A special "royal birthing suite" had been created, with two rooms reserved for Mary.

She had an elite medical team, including two doctors and two midwives, to assist with the delivery.

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