Margrethe II of Denmark, Europe's only queen and the continent's longest-reigning monarch, has withdrawn their princely titles from her son Joachim's four children to allow them to live more normal lives, the royal household announced on Wednesday.
“
From January 1, 2023, the descendants of His Royal Highness Prince Joachim will only be able to use their titles of Count and Countess of Monpezat, their previous titles of Prince and Princess of Denmark becoming null and void
,” wrote the Court of Denmark. in a press release.
Youngest son of the Queen, Prince Joachim, 53, has four children aged 23 to 10, born of two marriages: Nikolai, Felix, Henrik and Athena.
“
By her decision, Her Majesty The Queen wishes to create a framework in which the four grandchildren can shape their own lives to a much greater extent, without being limited by the special considerations and obligations that formal affiliation to the House entails. royal
," he said.
Read alsoMargrethe II of Denmark celebrates 40 years of reign
The mother of the prince's two eldest sons expressed bewilderment and "
shock
".
“
It falls like a hair on the soup.
Children feel left out.
They cannot understand why their identity is being taken away from them
,” Countess Alexandra told BT daily.
The Queen's four other grandchildren, children of Crown Prince Frederik, 54, retain their titles but as adults only the eldest will receive a privilege, a decision taken in 2016.
