Queen Mary and King Frederik of Denmark have come under fire for what critics describe as outdated and opaque communication methods during their recent Easter break.
The royal couple's decision to use a traditional flag system to inform the public about their whereabouts has sparked controversy and drawn criticism from the Danish populace.
Despite an official statement from the Palace indicating that King Frederik and Queen Mary had embarked on a family trip for the Easter weekend, leaving Queen Margrethe as regent, the flying of flags at their Amalienborg residence told a conflicting story. The presence of the flag suggested that either the King, the Queen, or their son Prince Christian was still at home.
According to Danish tabloid B.T, Queen Mary was unable to accompany her family on the vacation for the initial days, further complicating the public's understanding of the royal family's activities.
Communications advisor Anne Thygesen voiced her concerns, emphasizing the need for clarity and transparency in conveying who is currently serving as the country's head of state.
“It shouldn't require guesswork or detective work to identify the country's head of state,” Thygesen remarked.
Describing the flag system as antiquated, she added, “It's reminiscent of Morse code or even carrier pigeons – it's that old-fashioned.”
Thygesen stressed that neither the press nor the public should be left to decipher the meaning behind the flying flags to determine who is residing at the palace.
While acknowledging that the royal family may not have had ill intentions, Thygesen characterized their communication approach as unprofessional, suggesting that perhaps the palace was reluctant to disclose Queen Mary's absence during the initial days of the Easter break.
