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A brave Danish Queen speaks out

Full story and pictures in Women's Day of November 28th 2005

THE SHAKY NEW MUM IS RIDDLED WITH ANXIETY OVER TALK HER BABY’S CHRISTENING MAY BECOME A TARGET FOR TERRORISTS

Despite the euphoria of her son's birth on October 15, the joy of bringing the little Prince home and the delight in watching his every development, Crown Princess Mary is desperately worried about her baby.

It's not his post natal jaundice or any other health problem that is causing her concern but the threat to the little boy's safety from terrorists.

The Danish royals are acutely aware of the dangers of terrorism and like any loving mother, Mary will do everything to protect her child.

Suspects arrested

Just as there have been arrests of alleged terrorists in Australia recently, seven suspects were arrested in Denmark after British police smashed a terror network that also involved Bosnian, Turk and Swedish nationals in a plot attack the US White House.

Denmark has long been regarded as a tolerant society, so the arrests late last month were a shock for the Danes, highlighting the reality of living in today's dangerous society. Mary and Frederik have enjoyed the freedom of living among the local people with little security, shopping and travelling about the country with relative ease.

Now Mary's uneasy about taking her baby out too often in public. She knows the Danes will want to see him as he grows up, but she has come to be haunted by a fear of extremist plots to do him harm.

Adding to Mary's angst is the knowledge that her mother-in-law Queen Margrethe recently caused an outcry in Europe when she warned against the rise of Islamic fundamentalism in Denmark and the rest of the world, subsequently setting herself up as a target for incensed minorities. In her authorised biography, Margrethe said people must show their opposition to the more extreme aspects of Islam.

"We are being challenged by Islam -globally as well as locally," she said. "It is a challenge we have to take seriously. We have let this issue float about for too long because we are tolerant and lazy.

Angry words

"We have to show our opposition to Islam and at times we have to run the risk of having unflattering labels placed on us because there are some things for which we should display no tolerance."

The Danish Queen has since become a poster girl for some anti-Islamic elements in Europe, but Muslims at home have defended her comments, saying that she has been taken out of context and is speaking only of radicals.

But our royal observer says, "Mary and Frederik have met many Muslims on their royal duties and know they have nothing to fear from the majority who have settled in Denmark. They do fear, though, that as public figures both they and their son may become targets for extremists, no matter what their religion.

No changes to plan

"Their son is the most  important thing in the world to the royal couple and they will do everything they can to protect him," the royal observer continued.

"There's even been a suggestion that they will break with tradition and not name him Christian at his baptism on January 21, because it might be seen by some to be provocative.” But I don't think they will be intimidated. They will call their son what they choose and, like all parents, they will have to live with their fears and anxieties for their child, and hope that he will grow up happy and secure."

"I am one. I cannot do everything, but I can do something. And because I cannot do everything, I will not refuse to do the something that I can do. What I can do, I should do. And what I should do, by the grace of God, I will do." - Edward Everett Hale