Queen Margrethe II of Denmark apologized after removing the royal titles from four of her eight grandchildren. She’s not changing her mind about the move, though.
The 82-year-old monarch, who earlier this year celebrated half a century on the throne, announced on Thursday that from next year the children of her youngest son Prince Joachim will no longer be known as a prince and Princess.
Instead, they will only be able to use their titles of counts and countesses of Monpezat and will be treated as excellencies, as their royal titles will be “discontinued”, according to the royal house.
Helle von Wildenrath Løvgreen, press secretary to Countess Alexandra, ex-wife of Prince Joachim, told CNN on Thursday that Joachim and his sons were “saddened” and “shocked” by the decision, which Queen Margrethe sees “as a necessary protection for the future” of the monarchy”, according to a statement from the Queen released by the royal house. on Monday (3).
“In recent days, there have been strong reactions to my decision on the future use of titles for Prince Joachim’s four children. It affects me, of course,” the monarch said in the statement.
“My decision took a long time. With my 50 years on the throne, it’s natural to look back as well as forward. It is my duty and my desire as Queen to ensure that the monarchy always conforms to the times. Sometimes this means difficult decisions have to be made and it will always be difficult to find the right moment,” she added.
The queen said she had made the “adjustment” to allow junior royals to lead more normal lives, following a similar decision by other royal families to lessen the monarchy.
“Having a royal title involves a series of commitments and duties that, in the future, will fall to fewer members of the royal family,” she said.
Crown Prince Frederik, the Queen’s eldest son, is first in line to the throne. Her eldest son, Prince Christian, is second in line. All four of Frederik’s children retain their titles.
His younger brother Joachim lives in Paris with his wife Princess Marie and their two children Henrik, 13, and Athena, 10. The prince also has two older children, Nikolai, 23, and Felix, 20, from his first marriage to Alexandra, Countess of Frederiksborg. As long as Joachim’s sons lose their royal titles, they will retain their places in the order of succession.
The monarch said: “I have made my decision as queen, mother and grandmother, but as a mother and grandmother, I have underestimated how affected my youngest son and his family feel. It makes a big impression, and I’m sorry about that.”
She added: “No one should have any doubts that my children, daughters-in-law and grandchildren are my great joy and pride. Now I hope that we as a family can find the peace to find our way through this situation.”
Source: CNN Brasil
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