DANISH QUEEN STRIPS GRANDCHILDREN’S TITLES

A shock announcement by the Queen of Denmark has left some of her grandchildren without their royal titles.

Queen Margrethe II has announced that from 1 January 2023 the children of one of her two sons, Joachim, will no longer be allowed to refer to themselves as Prince or Princess.

They will, however, still be allowed to use their other titles count or countess of Monpezat.

In a statement released by the palace, it said that the Queen’s decision was in line with moves that other European royal houses have made recently.

“The Queen’s decision is in line with similar adjustments that other royal houses have made in various ways in recent years.”

The statement added that she wants her grandchildren by Prince Joachim “to be able to shape their own lives to a much greater extent without being limited by the special considerations and duties that a formal affiliation with the Royal House of Denmark as an institution involves”.

MSN reports that in an interview with a Danish media outlet, Joachim, who lives in Paris with his second wife and two youngest children, is quoted as saying he wasn’t given much notice that the changes had been decided.

“I was given five days’ notice of this. To tell my children that at the New Year their identity will be taken away from them. I am very, very sad to see them upset and uncomprehending of what is happening over their heads.”

Image credit: Sky News