Prince Joachim's children lose their titles May not call themselves prince and princess

After the tough announcement: "We are deeply shocked"

 

Of: 

 

Jenny Alexandersson 

 

Published: Today 15.40 

 

Updated: Today 16.19 

 

Prins Joachim

Prince Joachim's children lose their royal titles. 

 

From now on they are only counts and countesses.

 

- We are deeply shocked, says Countess Alexandra, who is the mother of Nikolai and Felix. 

 

Today, the Danish court sent out a surprising press release. Prince Joachim's two sons Nikolai and Felix, who he has with Countess Alexandra, as well as Athena and Henrik, who he has with Princess Marie, are stripped of their prince and princess titles. 

 

As of January 1, 2023, they shall be titled Excellencies and use the titles Count, Countess and Comtesse of Monpezat. The title komtesse is used in Denmark for the unmarried daughter of a count. 

 

The decision came very unexpectedly and neither Prince Joachim nor Countess Alexandra seem to have been informed of the change before it was sent out to the public. 

 

- It is my clear impression that all three parents are very shocked, says Countess Alexandra's secretary Helle von Wildenrath to Billed-Bladet. 

 

Prince Nikolai, Princess Marie, Princess Athena, Prince Henrik, Prince Joachim and Prince Felix. On January 1, 2023, the children will lose their royal titles. Photo: Philip Davali / Ritzau Scanpix 

 

Only one grandchild may share in the money 

 

- We are all confused by the decision. We are saddened and in shock. This comes like a bolt from the blue. The children feel left out. 

 

They cannot understand why their identity is being taken away from them. According to the press release, Queen Margrethe wants to give the grandchildren the opportunity to "shape their lives without being limited by the special considerations and obligations that a formal connection to the Royal House as an institution entails". 

 

In 2016, Queen Margrethe made the decision that only Crown Prince Frederik's son Prince Christian will have the right to share in the appanage. He will be the only one of her grandchildren entitled to the money when he turns 18. 

 

The prince's royal duties have been reduced 

 

According to Danish media, Prince Joachim's royal role has been systematically phased out since 2018. Today he lives in France with his family and works as a defense attaché at the Danish embassy in Paris. 

 

According to the royal house's communications manager Lene Balleby, Prince Joachim has known that the titles are to be removed since May 5. 

 

- The decision has had different along the way, but Prince Joachim has been involved and informed throughout the process. But of course I understand that this is difficult, says Lene Balleby to B.T.

 

Prince Nikolai is a photo model and has worked for many of the major fashion houses. Next year he will walk the catwalk as an earl as he and his siblings lose their royal titles. Photo: Pascal Le Segretain/Getty Images 

 

Other royal houses have done the same 

 

According to the court, the reason for the queen's decision is that it is in line with "similar adaptations that other royal houses have carried out in different ways in recent years". 

 

In autumn 2019, the king made the same decision (tog kungen samma beslut.) He decided that the children of Princess Madeleine and Prince Carl Philip are no longer part of the royal house. They also do not get a share of the monopoly. 

 

- They will be regarded more as private individuals. They will not have the restrictions when it comes to taking up employment or running a business that is normally associated with royal persons who represent Sweden, said Marshal Fredrik Wersäll at a press conference at the time. 

 

They, like Prince Joachim's children, retain their place in the respective line of succession. 

 

You can find more royal photos and news on the Instagram account Royal with Jenny(Kungligt med Jenny)