It was announced that Queen Margrethe has decided that four of her grandchildren – Prince Nikolai, Prince Felix, Prince Henrik and Princess Athena – will be stylized as the Count and Countess of Monpezat from the start of 2023.
Their father Joaquim – Margrethe’s second son – was approached by a journalist from Ekstra Bladet outside the Danish embassy in Paris on Thursday in which he expressed his shock at the move.
“We are all very sad,” he said. “It’s never fun to see your children being mistreated like that. They themselves find themselves in a situation they do not understand.”
The royal house had previously stated that Joachim had been informed of the decision in May – but he contested that.
“I was given five days’ notice,” he stated. “I heard you were told back in May. Is that not correct?” the journalist enquired.
“In May, I was presented with a plan, which basically stated that when the children each turned 25, it would happen. Athena turns 11 in January,” he responded, clearly emotional.
Joachim was then asked how the decision has affected her relationship with his mother, Queen Margrethe. “I don’t think I need to elaborate here,” he simply replied.
In response to Prince Joachim’s comments, the Royal Palace issued a further statement that read: “We understand that there are currently many emotions in the game, but we hope that the wishes of the royal family to make the royal house future-proof will be respected.”
The Queen’s decision sent shockwaves through Denmark when it was announced on Wednesday. That same evening, she made an appearance at an evening of research at the National Museum in Copenhagen.
The royal was grilled about the move by reporters, to which she responded: “It is a consideration I have had for quite a long time and I think it will be good for them in their future. That is the reason.” When questioned as to whether it was for their “sake” she said: “Yes, of course.”
Margrethe was also asked about claims that her grandchildren had felt “ostracized” by the move. She replied: “Well, you have to see how you … I haven’t seen it myself, I must say.”
