Hangin' with the Prince of Denmark

Joe with the president of B & O America and a regional manager

Oh la la!

The Princess and the Crown Prince (on crutches due to a ski accident)

The Danish press corp

A small Danish boy who presented flowers to the Princess

Look! There's the Crown Prince over my right shoulder! Stupid American.

We did have a bit of excitement around here this week when Joe's store was involved in an event centered around a visit from the Crown Prince and Princess of Denmark, Frederik and Mary.

I was the photographer for Bang & Olufsen America for this event (was just going to be for Joe's store, but corporate forgot to hire a photographer), and it was hosted by Bang & Olufsen, George Jenson, and Louis Poulsen at the sales office for the new Spire building in Chicago. The Spire will be the tallest residential building in the world when completed. These Danish businesses hosted an afternoon cocktail event in honor of the visit by the Crown Prince and Princess of to the U.S. The timing was great since they were in the states to attend an Olympic Committee meeting in Denver. So, why not swing by Chicago on the way for some Danish branding? Seriously, whoever pulled that off should take a bow. It's not every day that you can get royalty to attend your event!

I was quite excited at the prospect of meeting a bonafide prince and princess, and even received the protocol instructing us to address them as "Your Royal Highnesses" (I thought I might slip and say, Your Hiney, since I joked around about it so much) and to feel free to curtsy or bow. But sadly, I only got within a few feet of the royals, and that's closer than most people got. You see, since I was taking photos of the event, I got to go to a magical place...a place that I typically relegate reporters to during events...the press area. It was good and bad. Good since I was able to get some close shots. Bad since I got scolded by the Danish press secretary for stepping outside the lines of the area. Since I'm usually the one scolding reporters, I felt shamed and amused, all at once. He even used the same line that I use. "If the other media see you taking liberties, than they will all want to do it."

But here's the thing. The Prince and Princess are like rock stars in Denmark. They travel with a 20-member press corp! It was crazy how many photographers were snapping away. And they accompany the royals on all of their trips. So my thought is: isn't it just the same people taking the same kinds of photos all the time? I guess they all know to stand behind the line since they are in the press area every day.