Crown Prince Frederik is the son of Danish Queen Margrethe II, and Danish Prince Consort Henrik, born Henri de Laborde de Monpezat. Denmark is the oldest reigning monarchy in Europe today.

After saying "I do," the pair kissed poignantly inside the central Copenhagen cathedral, before proceeding outside where a horse-drawn carriage waited to carry them through tightly-packed streets in the country’s capital. The couple was hailed by thousands of Danes on hand in the central square before making their way to the official wedding dinner at Fredensborg Castle.

Several days later, in Madrid, on May 21, heir to the Spanish throne, Crown Prince Felipe of Bourbon, married Spanish commoner, Letizia, a television presenter, or more precisely, a local television star, born in 1972. Prince Felipe is the son of His Majesty Juan Carlos I, King of Spain, and his Queen, Princess Sophie of Greece.

In both marriages, the princes are children of ruling monarchies, which heralded the presence of numerous ruling monarchs, former monarchs, hereditary princes, members of royal and imperial families, the pretenders of former dynasties, ruling heads of state, heads of governments, high ranking civil servants, celebrities, and also friends of the blue-blood. Basically, it was a fanciful affair.

Marriages of love?

In an unexpected turn of events, the chosen brides had little to do with “traditional nobility,” insofar as their genealogical pasts are concerned.

The future Queen of Denmark, Mary Elizabeth Donaldson, is the daughter of John Dalgleish Donaldson, a family of Scottish descent who reside in Australia. The future Queen of Spain was born Letizia Ortiz Rocasolano, already once-divorced and the daughter of Jesus Ortiz. Her family lives in Spain.

Nevertheless, the two weddings offered up occasions to show off long dresses, military medals and decorations, chivalric collars and golden distinctions.

THE ROYAL WEDDING Crown Prince Felipe of Bourbon, heir to the Spanish throne, married a local television personality, Letizia. The question remains: will these royal mixers result in an invigorated monarchy, bringing royals closer to the people.

An extravagant horse-drawn carriage adorned by a magnificent harness elegantly strode through Copenhagen, while a closed Rolls Royce purred through downtown Madrid. In both cases, with bells, trumpets, national anthems and other regalia adorned the lavish ceremonies. Women with perfectly bundled hair made just right for the occasion, and gigantic colorful hats gave both affairs an air of elegance and distinction. Rows of soldiers carried elaborate ceremonial 15th and 16th century weaponry.

Honor guards posed with majestically drawn swords. There were grand organs and even a symphonic orchestra. It was the stuff dreams are made of – a real-life fairytale. The weddings offered up the chance for both princes to show off their charm, and act truly princely. It was also the occasion for the monarchies to show off in all their pomp and circumstance. The people, in any case, got their money’s worth. Admirers and followers were in awe of the revered monarchies. It was both touching to see how the subjects of two nations celebrated their hereditary princes, and moving at the same time to see followers so committed. This was how two unknowns came one step closer to becoming queens, taking first steps into the pages of history books.

Noblesse oblige

According to the traditions of nobility, marriages are only acceptable among those of the same family background.

But the history of a family, how far back one’s lineage can be traced, the titles one bears and the glory of a dynasty are not necessarily the pillars upon which royal marriages are based today.

Meanwhile, before the marriage, scrupulous legal care is taken to ensure that the bride could not, in the case of divorce, flee with royal wares, jewellry, the crown or even rights to nobility.

An imperial or royal family can do little but marry someone of a lower social rank. Unequal marriages are called “morganatic”. These are legal marriages between a person of royal imperial birth and a partner of lower rank. In Germany, such marriages are not accepted, and nobility there are required to renounce their hereditary rights to titles or estates if they marry in this way.

A GALLANT AFFAIR On May 14th the heir to the Danish throne, Crown Prince Frederik of Denmark wed a commoner, Australian Lawyer, Mary Elizabeth. One of the oldest forms of government, is the monarchy changing with the times?

In some of the more important royal or imperial houses, in order to even entertain an official wedding it is necessary to obtain permission from the head of the household. No approval, no recognized marriage, and the intended beneficiary loses “royal or imperial” rights. In some cases, one must present themselves in front of an alter. In Denmark, the Queen and Prince Consort are required to confess their faith to Luther, and this is why Henri de Laborde de Monpezat, who became the Prince Consort, originally baptized into the Roman Catholic Church, was forced to convert to Lutheranism in 1967, the day he married. The Crown Prince also had to obtain the approval of both the monarch and Parliament.

In Spain, the Infante, or son of the king other than heir to the throne, cannot marry someone of a lower social order or outside the Catholic faith without authorization of the monarch. It is no longer a question of strictness when looking to maintain the “pureness” of blue-blood.

And watch out for intermarriage. It can be said, mathematically, that those who descend from kings are necessarily all cousins. But there are cousins, and there are cousins.

Proof of nobleness

Did the quasi and not-so Catholic lineage of French President Valéry Giscard d’Estaing not descend from Louis XV? He himself felt far more “noble” than the Queen of England, according to one source close to the Court of Saint-James.

The first husband of Princess Caroline of Monaco, the daughter of Grace, Princess Grace of Monaco (or, the movie star Grace Kelly), was French banker and playboy Philippe Junot. Genealogists trace his lineage back to General Junot, Duke of Abrantes, Governor of Paris, and lover of the beautiful Caroline Bonaparte. The latest representative of the Abrantes family, meanwhile, denied any possible links to any Junot.

For anyone jettisoned into power, there are always adjustments, and genealogists sometimes also make concessions. Take Socialist French President Francois Mitterand, who, it is noted by some genealogists, descended from the highest aristocracy. To break the “commoner” rank of Grace, Princess of Monaco, genealogists assisted her in “becoming” a descendent of an ancient Irish King.

Sometimes there are also distinctions as to the proof brought to the table. There are nuances, depending on who the subject is. In fact, Mitterand was not asked to provide proof of his noble roots. As a president, he was above that, as legend has it.

Other times, other morals

The word “nobility” comes from Latin meaning, “above the commoner.” Therefore: “If nobility is true virtue, it is not devoid of those things that are not virtuous; but if she is not virtuous, she is very little,” wrote 17th-century French moralist Jean de la Bruyere. Prince Frederik X, and Princess Mary received some 1,800 gifts at their recent wedding, and they may well just make of each and every one of them as they wait for their turn to reign.

The two future kings of Denmark and Spain have showed they are well prepared to assume the functions King Louis XIV called: “The vocation of being king.” Their partners, as well, will have to support them in their duties through grace, distinction, charisma and intelligence – and play an important role in charity work.

If the honors are great, the tasks, responsibilities and duties too, will consequently be considerable.