One Enchanted Evening
It was described as “the kind of love that sparks across the room” - a dedication to the Danish royals who have captured Sydney’s heart. Appropriately entitled One Enchanted Evening as a tribute to the guests of honour’s fairytale romance, Crown Prince Frederik and Crown Princess Mary’s attendance at last night’s star-studded Red Cross 90th anniversary gala dinner was expected to raise in excess of $700,000 for the organisation.
It was also an appropriate theme given the adulation the public and guests bestowed on the royal couple as they arrived at the Westin Hotel in Martin Place last night. The Princess arrived to cheers wearing a pale pink, halter-necked top over a full-length black ruffled skirt. After walking the red carpet, the couple received a rapturous welcome from the 900 A-list guests inside the hotel.
The royal couple were seated with Gough and Margaret Whitlam, Malcolm and Tamie Fraser, national chairman of the Australian Red Cross, Greg Vickery. Premier Bob Carr, Channel Nine’s head of news Max Uechtritz, Governor Marie Bashir and Seven heir Ryan Stokes. George singer Katie Noonan sang Some Enchanted Evening, a tribute to their love story, which began in Sydney.
For Olivia Newton-John, the chance to perform before the royals was an honour. “[Crown Princess Mary] shows a lot of class and incredible brains to learn another language,” she said. “I’m really impressed by her.”
Similarly, singer Delta Goodrem was full of praise for the royal pair. “They’re just beautiful. They’re really lovely.” Singer Alex Lloyd later delivered a message of goodwill to the pair in Danish, prior to his performance on stage.
But not all the celebrities were pre-occupied with the couple - swimmer Ian Thorpe made mischief with the waiting Danish media. When they asked him what his name was, he cheekily replied “Bob Marley”.
OliviaGuests enjoyed a menu featuring Tasmanian delicacies which was created by head chef Luke Mangan, who showcased Australian food at events leading up to the royal wedding in Copenhagen last May.
It was the first time Prince Frederik has had the red carpet treatment. It is normally only rolled out for Princess Mary while Prince Frederik has been content to amble out in the morning and back in the evening in his yachting clothes.
Later in the evening, Bob Carr delivered a brief speech highlighting the important work of the Red Cross, citing his recent trip to tsunami-ravaged areas. The Australian Red Cross said proceeds from the evening would to go to assist the organisation’s Young Women’s Health Program, a service that provides support for pregnant and homeless teenagers.