Danish Prince Angry Over Child's 'Status Stripping': "I Will Go to the United States"

Prince Joachim, Second Son of Queen Margrethe II, Travels to Washington with Family
Last September, Sudden Removal of 'Prince and Princess' Titles from Four Children Shocks Many

Prince Joachim of Denmark (third from the left), his wife Princess Marie, and their four children. Photo by Reuters·Yonhap News

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Hyunjung] Prince Joachim (53), the second son of Queen Margrethe II of Denmark (82) and sixth in line to the Danish throne, will move to the United States with his family in the second half of next year.

According to Danish local media and the British Daily Telegraph and Daily Mail on the 4th (local time), Prince Joachim reportedly made this decision last September in dissatisfaction with the stripping of royal status from his four children.

Having served as a defense attach? at the Danish Embassy in Paris since 2020, he plans to establish a new residence in Washington DC. Prince Joachim will move to the U.S. with his wife, Princess Marie (47), and their two minor children, reportedly having secured a new job in the defense industry sector.

Last September, Queen Margrethe II announced the removal of royal status from Prince Joachim’s four children: Nikolai (23), Felix (20), Henrik (13), and Athena (10). Accordingly, from January 1 of next year, these four will be referred to by titles such as Count instead of Prince or Princess.

The difference in stance between Prince Joachim and Queen Margrethe II regarding this decision was stark. Prince Joachim publicly expressed displeasure, stating that he was informed of this only five days before the queen’s announcement.

However, the royal family rebutted, stating that Prince Joachim was informed in advance about the decision to strip his children of their royal status back in May. In an interview with local media, Prince Joachim said, "Our entire family feels great sorrow. Watching our children get hurt is never pleasant," adding, "They (the royal family) have been faced with a situation they do not understand."

Prince Joachim has four children from two marriages: two sons from his first marriage and one son and one daughter from his second. His ex-wife Alexandra (58), mother of Princes Nikolai and Felix, expressed pain, saying, "My sons felt 'rejected' by such a sudden decision." It was also reported that the youngest, Athena, was teased at school because she is no longer a princess.

The Danish royal family expressed understanding of Prince Joachim’s family’s embarrassment but asked for respect for the queen’s decision. This decision is explained as an effort to reduce the size of the royal family to ensure the continued existence of the Danish monarchy.

Queen Margrethe II said, "No one can doubt that my children, daughters-in-law, and grandchildren are my great joy and pride," adding, "I hope our family can navigate this situation well and find peace."

Contrary to the queen’s wishes, the Danish royal family will not spend this Christmas together. The queen plans to spend Christmas with her sister and friends, not with her children or grandchildren. The Crown Prince’s family will visit Australia, and Prince Joachim’s family will embark on a long overseas trip.

Currently, the order of succession to the Danish throne is Crown Prince Frederik, the eldest son of Queen Margrethe II, at number one, followed by his three sons and one daughter ranked second to fifth. The Crown Prince’s four children still retain their royal status.

Meanwhile, European countries where monarchies still exist are rushing to reduce the size of their royal families. This is due to growing public criticism of monarchies and the luxury and extravagance of royal families. Belgium and Sweden have already implemented royal family downsizing.

King Carl Gustaf of Sweden, who has one son and two daughters, limited the royal family members in October 2019 to himself and his wife, their three children and spouses, and Crown Princess Victoria’s two children. The six grandchildren born to his eldest son and second daughter are no longer princes or princesses and do not receive royal family subsidies. The Daily Telegraph reported that the UK is also considering joining this wave of change following the accession of Charles III.