What family drama? Prince Joachim of Denmark looks relaxed as he joins wife Princess Marie for a trip to the market in Paris – after criticising his mother Queen Margrethe for stripping his children of their titles
- Prince Joachim, 53, looked relaxed as he enjoyed time with his wife Princess Marie, 46, in Paris on Friday
- First time Queen Margrethe’s youngest son has been seen since Royal Household confirmed peace talks
- Last month, the 82-year-old monarch her announced decision to strip Joachim’s children of their royal titles
Prince Joachim looked relaxed as he enjoyed time with his wife Princess Marie and daughter Princess Athena in Paris on Friday.
The Danish prince, 53, took his little dog for a walk and ran errands with his second wife, 46, to pick up items such as a baguette in the French capital.
It is the first time Queen Margrethe’s youngest son has been seen since the Royal Danish Household confirmed the mother and son had sat down for peace talks following her decision to strip his children of their princely titles.
The royal couple seemed unaffected by recent reports that Prince Joachim had once been ‘deeply in love’ with his sister-in-law Princess Mary as royal fans speculated over how deep the conflict within the Danish royal family runs.
Last month, Queen Margrethe, 82, ruffled feathers when announcing Nikolai, 23, Felix, 20, Henrik, 13, and Athena, 10, would no longer be known as princes or princess from 1 January 2023, and would also no longer be referred to as His/Her Royal Highness. Instead, they will be Counts and Countesses and will be known as Their Excellencies.
Following her announcement, Prince Joachim spoke to Danish publication Ekstra Bladet outside the Danish Embassy in Paris, where he lives with his French-born wife Princess Marie and his two youngest children, and said his four children had been ‘hurt’ by their grandmother’s decision.
Prince Joachim looked relaxed as he enjoyed time with his wife Princess Marie (pictured together) and daughter Princess Athena in Paris on Friday
The Danish prince, 53, took his little dog for a walk and ran errands with his second wife (pictured), 46, to pick up a French baguette
Queen Margrethe (pictured in blue) made the decision to strip princely titles from Prince Nikolai (left), Prince Felix (second from left), Prince Henrik (right) and Princess Athena (second from right). Also pictured: Prince Joachim and Princess Marie
The Danish Royal Family tree. Prince Joachim’s children Nikolai, 23, Felix, 20, Henrik, 13, and Athena, 10, will all be losing their titles on January 1 2023
He said that, despite the Danish Royal Household claiming he had had several months’ notice, he was actually only given five days to break the news to them.
Queen Margrethe’s rationale behind her decision was that she wanted the children to lead more normal lives.
The decision does not affect heir to the throne, Crown Prince Frederick’s children with his wife Princess Mary; Prince Christian, 16, Princess Isabella, 15, and twins Princess Josephine and Prince Vincent, 11.
As tensions brewed within the Danish royal family, Queen Margrethe released an unprecedented statement in which she apologised for her announcement – however she insisted her decision was the right one.
The monarch admitted she had ‘underestimated’ the impact of her actions but said was ‘a long time coming’ and it had been made as ‘a Queen, mother and grandmother.’
The statement read: ‘In recent days, there have been strong reactions to my decision on the future use of titles for Prince Joachim’s four children. It obviously affects me.
It is the first time Queen Margrethe’s youngest son has been seen since the Royal Danish Household confirmed the mother and son had sat down for peace talks following her decision to strip his children of their princely titles
Prince Joachim (pictured) previously spoke to Danish publication Ekstra Bladet outside the Danish Embassy in Paris, where he lives with his French-born wife Princess Marie and his two youngest children, and said his four children had been ‘hurt’ by their grandmother’s decision
The royal couple (pictured) seemed unaffected by recent reports that Prince Joachim had once been ‘deeply in love’ with his sister-in-law Princess Mary as royal fans speculated over how deep the conflict within the Danish royal family runs
Joachim (pictured right) said that, despite the Danish Royal Household claiming he had had several months’ notice, he was actually only given five days to break the news to them
During Friday’s outing, Princess Marie looked typically stylish in a cream autumn coat, grey trousers and casual trainers
Queen Margrethe’s rationale behind her decision was that she wanted the children to lead more normal lives. Pictured, Joachim and Marie on Friday
‘My decision has been a long time coming. With my 50 years on the throne, it is natural both to look back and to look forward.’
It added: ‘Carrying a royal title entails a number of obligations and duties, which will in future be the responsibility of fewer members of the royal family.
‘This adaptation, which I see as a necessary safeguard for the future of the monarchy, I want to make in my time.’
Rumours of a rift were further exacerbated by reports from Spanish publication Vanitatis Elconfidencial that Prince Joachim had once been ‘deeply in love’ with his sister-in-law Princess Mary.
The reports came days after Prince Joachim admitted his relationship with older brother Crown Prince Frederik was ‘complicated’.
The decision does not affect heir to the throne, Crown Prince Frederick’s children with his wife Princess Mary; Prince Christian, 16, Princess Isabella, 15, and twins Princess Josephine and Prince Vincent, 11. Pictured, Joachim and Marie in Paris
Rumours of a rift were further exacerbated by reports from Spanish publication Vanitatis Elconfidencial that Prince Joachim (pictured right) had once been ‘deeply in love’ with his sister-in-law Princess Mary
Sharing a smile! Princess Marie could be seen wearing a grin when walking alongside her husband Joachim and their pet dog
The reports came days after Prince Joachim (pictured on Friday) admitted his relationship with older brother Crown Prince Frederik was ‘complicated’
Crown Prince Frederik of Denmark ‘was not part of the meeting’ between his mother Queen Margrethe II and his younger brother over royal titles, the Royal Household confirmed – after Prince Joachim admitted the siblings’ relationship is ‘complicated’.
Margrethe, 82, and her youngest son Joachim engaged in peace talks last week to try and smooth tensions that have arisen after the monarch announced last week she would be stripping his four children of their royal titles, which he claimed had ‘hurt’ them.
Out of a title: The four grandchildren who will no longer be TRHs
Nikolai of Denmark, 23: The Copenhagen Business School student and model regularly tops lists of the world’s most eligible bachelors. He lives in Denmark but has jetted around the world to walk for designers in Paris and London. Nikolai has also appeared on the cover of Vogue Scandinavia.
Felix of Denmark, 20: Following in his brother’s footsteps, Prince Felix has also had success as a model and has starred in an advertising campaign for Georg Jensen. He had a short stint at the Royal Danish Military Academy but quit after two months because it ‘wasn’t for him’.
Henrik, 13, and Athena, 10, of Denmark: The youngest of Prince Joachim’s four children, Henrik and Athena are the product of his second marriage to Princess Marie. They live with their parents in Paris.
Following the meeting, the palace confirmed that the monarch and Joachim want to ‘look forward’ and are trying to ‘find their way through’ their differences – however, Frederik did not attend the meeting at Fredensborg.
Danish publication B.T. reported: ‘According to the Royal House, the Crown Prince was not part of the meeting’, with a statement from the palace reading: ‘The Queen and Prince Joachim have spoken together at Fredensborg. Everyone agrees to look forward, and as the Queen herself has expressed, she and Prince Joachim want calm to find their way through this situation.’
B.T.’s royal correspondent Jacob Heinel Jensen said of the ‘significant and positive development’ between the monarch and her youngest son, that it was ‘not surprising’ that Frederik wasn’t included.
The expert said: ‘Prince Joachim himself has acknowledged that the relationship with the Crown Prince couple was complicated, so it is not surprising that he was not there. It is the Queen’s decision, and she is the one who must bear the brunt of it.’
He added of the meeting: ‘This is crucial for their relationship. There will be an event in the future where it is important that we as a population believe that they have become friends again, now the first stones have been laid.’
Amid the tensions, Spanish magazine Vaniatis Elconfidencial since sparked more speculation around the rift, after reporting that Joachim ‘was deeply in love with his sister-in-law Mary’.
A photograph was even published by Swedish woman’s weekly magazine ‘Svensk Damtidning’, allegedly showing Joachim trying to kiss Mary at a gala party of the Royal Guard Regiment.
The Spanish magazine recalled: ‘With obvious signs of drunkenness, it seems that the youngest son of Queen Margarethe tried to stamp his lips on his sister-in-law’s mouth, that she got out of the way as she could and with an unperturbed smile, while Marie witnessed the embarrassing moment.’
It also suggested that shortly after Frederik and Mary’s wedding in 2004, Danish media began to speculate that Joachim ‘was deeply in love with his sister-in-law’.
Prince Frederik of Denmark ‘was not part of the meeting’ between his mother Queen Margrethe II and his younger brother over royal titles, the Royal Household confirmed – after Prince Joachim admitted the siblings’ relationship is ‘complicated’. Pictured, Frederik and Joachim in August 2022
Queen Margrethe (centre, in 2015) had a meeting with Prince Joachim (right) following animosity after he said his children were ‘hurt’ by her decision to remove their princely titles (Left: Crown Prince Frederik)
The news comes as a Spanish magazine reported the Prince had been ‘deeply in love’ with his sister-in-law and Crown Prince Frederik’s wife, Princess Mary. Pictured in 2014
‘In fact, it didn’t help that in 2007 he announced his engagement to a French girl (Princess Marie) with the same name and a striking physical resemblance,’ wrote the magazine.
But with such strong rumours about the prince’s crush on Mary, the magazine claims Margarethe called ‘them to order’ and ‘started a campaign to show that there were no problems between the two women,’ including ‘unscheduled outings’ together.
MailOnline contacted the Danish Royal Household for comment.
Meanwhile, following the royal drama, Queen Margrethe issued a public apology for her decision to strip four of her grandchildren – the sons and daughter of her youngest son, Prince Joachim – of their royal titles.
She said she was sorry for hurting her family with the ‘difficult decision’ but insisted it was the right choice.
And according to Danish royal commentators, the public statement is ‘completely unusual’ and shows how serious the conflict within the family has become.
It’s been a dramatic time for the Danish Royal Family – after Queen Margarethe revealed that she would be removing princely titles from four of her grandchildren. Pictured, Princess Marie, Prince Joachim, Princess Mary and Prince Frederik in 2019
Prince Joachim (pictured) hit out at his mother Queen Margrethe II’s decision to strip his four children of their royal titles
They added the Queen likely fears coming across as an ‘ice queen’, following several emotive public statements from Joachim in which he spoke of how his children had been ‘harmed’ by their grandmother’s decision.
Speaking to Danish publication Ekstra Bladet, royal house expert Lars Hovbakke Sørensen said: ‘It is a completely unusual situation, it is historic, and it shows something about the seriousness that the Queen feels called to make such a personal announcement in a press release.
Revealed: The Danish Royal Family’s VERY glamorous palaces
It’s perhaps no surprise that a European Royal Family enjoys several castles and palaces – however for the Danish household, many of the properties are owned by the state, and run by the Agency for Palaces and Cultural Properties.
This includes the main residence of Amalienborg, the family’s spring home of Fredensborg Palace, their summer house of Gråsten Palace and the hunting lodge Eremitageslottet .
The Danish Queen’s personal properties include Marselisborg Castle, Château de Caix in France, and the royal hunting lodge in Jutland at Trend.
Prince Joachim lives with his second wife in Paris – but when he returns home to Denmark it is sometimes to the Schackenborg Castle in southern Jutland.
The estate was the prince’s private residence from 1993 to 2014, before he sold the property.
But since Prince Joachim and Princess Marie are on the board of the Schackenborg Castle Foundation, they occasionally return to live there for short periods of time.
Amalienborg, the Danish household’s main residence, pictured
The family’s spring home of Fredensborg Palace, pictured
The Danish Queen’s personal properties include Marselisborg Castle, pictured
The Royal Danish family’s summer residence of Grasten Slot, pictured
‘It is quite unusual and she has never done this before. It shows that there is a huge conflict.’
Mr Sørensen added the Queen’s statement was a way of ‘trying to close this conflict’ and draw a line under it, following several days of turbulence between the monarch and her youngest son.
Prince Joachim told Ekstra Bladet his children had been ‘hurt’ by their grandmother’s decision to remove their princely titles and make them counts and countesses, adding he had only had a few days to break the news to them before it was announced publicly.
However, according to Mr Sørensen: ‘You cannot have members or former members of the royal house constantly speaking in the press about the Queen’s decision and discussing back and forth with each other in full public view.’
He added Queen Margrethe ‘had to say something’ following Prince Joachim’s public comments.
In a statement, the monarch admitted she had ‘underestimated’ the impact of her actions but said it was ‘a long time coming’ and it had been made as ‘a Queen, mother and grandmother.’
Another royal expert, Jacob Heinel Jensen, agreed the Queen felt ‘compelled’ to issue a public statement about the reported animosity and told B.T. the Queen’s statement reflected the ‘crazy situation’ the Danish Royal Household finds itself in.
He added it is likely she did not want to make a public apology about her decision, but that Prince Joachim’s public comments left her with no choice but to address the accusations.
Mr Heinel Jensen said: ‘Queen Margrethe has felt compelled to [issue a statement], and it is because the Royal House is of course afraid that she will appear like an ice queen, which she has become in the past week. This is of course an attempt to say that she is not, she also feels it and is upset about the situation.’
He added he thought the Queen’s decision was the right one – although he was unsure if it would calm Prince Joachim’s strong feelings about his mother’s decision.
The Queen’s statement read: ‘In recent days, there have been strong reactions to my decision on the future use of titles for Prince Joachim’s four children. It obviously affects me. My decision has been a long time coming. With my 50 years on the throne, it is natural both to look back and to look forward.
‘It is my duty and my wish as Queen to ensure that the monarchy continues to shape itself in keeping with the times. It sometimes requires difficult decisions to be made, and it will always be difficult to find the right moment.
‘Carrying a royal title entails a number of obligations and duties, which will in future be the responsibility of fewer members of the royal family. This adaptation, which I see as a necessary safeguard for the future of the monarchy, I want to make in my time.’
She continued: ‘I have made my decision as Queen, mother and grandmother, but as a mother and grandmother I have underestimated how much my youngest son and his family feel affected. It makes a big impression, and I’m sorry for that. No one should be in doubt that my children, children-in-law and grandchildren are my great joy and pride.
‘I now hope that we as a family can find the peace to find our way through this situation ourselves.’ She signed off the note; ‘MARGRETHE R.’
According to Mr Sørensen, the incredibly personal statement, which includes the Queen’s admission she had ‘underestimated’ how seriously her grandchildren would be affected by the change, shows how serious the conflict within the family is.
Commenting on his children’s reaction to the move to B.T., Joachim said his children ‘don’t know which leg to stand on as their identity is removed’ – and questioned ‘why must they be punished in that way?’.
The prince said: ‘I can say that my children are sad. My kids don’t know which leg to stand on. What they should believe. Why should their identity be removed? Why must they be punished in that way?’
‘I don’t want to engage in speculation and mudslinging,’ said Joachim. ‘I am telling the truth… I was given five days notice… I was given five days’ notice of this. To tell my children that on New Year’s their identity will be taken from them.’
He added that in May, he was presented with a plan that his ‘children’s identity should be taken from them when each of them turned 25’, to which he asked ‘to be allowed to come back with my proposal’.
But he said he was given just five days notice that the decision was to be accelerated, adding: ‘I am so sorry for my children. I just demand the truth.’
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