Solène Delinger 2:53 p.m., October 04, 2022, modified at 2:54 p.m., October 04, 2022
Last week, Margrethe II announced that from January four of her grandchildren are expected to give up their princely titles.
Prince Joachim's children, Nikolai, 23, and Felix, 20, born from a first marriage, Henrik, 13, and Athena, 10, will only keep the title of Count of Monpezat.
In a press release, the 82-year-old sovereign explains her decision.
Margrethe II breaks the silence after a week of tumult and speculation.
And for good reason, on September 28, the 82-year-old sovereign announced, to everyone's surprise, her decision to forfeit four of her grandchildren.
From January 1, 2023, Nikolai and Felix, born from the union of Prince Joachim with Alexandra Manley, Countess of Frederiksborg, and Henrik and Athena, born from his union with Marie, will no longer be princes and princess.
Fewer members in the Danish royal family
Why did you make such a decision?
Like King Charles III, the Queen of Denmark wants to reduce the size of the royal family.
“Holding a royal title entails a number of commitments and duties which, in the future, will live on with fewer members of the royal family,” she wrote.
"I underestimated how touched my youngest son and his family are"
And to clarify: "I made my decision as Queen, mother and grandmother. But in acting as such, I underestimated how much my youngest son and his family feel touched." , she said with emotion before humbly apologizing.
In her message, Margrethe II stresses that her children and her family are "her greatest pride".
In the face of , the queen hopes with all her heart that they “can find peace to deal with this situation”.
In Denmark, Queen Margrethe responds to the 'strong reactions' that followed her announcement last week about the styles and titles bestowed on Prince Joachim's four children.
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— Majesty/Joe Little (@MajestyMagazine) October 3, 2022