Queen MargretheII of Denmark is speaking out after stripping her four grandchildrenof their royal titles.
They will maintain their places in the order of succession. They are currently seventh through to the tenth in the line to the throne.
Explaining her decision, Queen Margrethe told reporters, “It is a consideration I have had for quite a long time and I think it will be good for them in their future. That is the reason,” according toHello! Magazine.
Denmark’s Queen Margrethe.Tim Rooke/Shutterstock
Asked if the move was for her grandchildren’s “sake”, the monarch said, “Yes, of course.”
She also addressed reports that theyfelt “ostracized"and said, per the outlet, “Well, you have to see how you … I haven’t seen it myself, I must say.”
Queen Margrethe with Prince Joachim and his family.Patrick van Katwijk/Getty
Nikolai and Felix are the sons of Prince Joachim and his first wife, Alexandra, Countess of Frederiksborg. Prince Joachim got remarried to Princess Marie in 2008, and they later welcomed Henrik and Athena.
The decision does not pertain to the four children of Crown Prince Frederik, who is heir to the throne, with his wife,Crown Princess Mary. Unlike their cousins,Prince Christian, 16,Princess Isabella, 15, and 11-year-old twins Prince Vincent and Princess Josephine will both continue to be part of the royal house.
The Danish palace also noted that “the Queen’s decision is in line with similar adjustments that other royal houses have made in various ways in recent years.” Similarly, Sweden’s King Carl XVI Gustafannouncedin October 2019 that the children ofPrincess Madeleineand Chris O’Neill as well asPrince Carl PhilipandPrincess Sofiawould no longer be official members of the royal house. They retained their titles of prince or princess, but the titles became personal and any future spouses or children will not have a right to them.
Alexandra reacted to the news the same day,stating that she is “in shock.”
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Sweden’s King Carl XVI Gustaf made a similar change in October 2019. The Kingannouncedthat his grandchildren from his two younger children,Princess Madeleine(who is married to Chris O’Neill) andPrince Carl Philip(who is married toPrincess Sofia), would no longer be official members of the royal house. While they did retain their titles of prince or princess, the titles became personal, meaning any future spouses and children will not have a right to them.
Princess Madeleine responded to the news on Instagram at the time, writing in part, “This change has been planned for a long time. Chris and I think it’s good that our children are now getting a greater opportunity to shape their own lives as private individuals in the future.”
Prince Carl Philip also shared his thoughts on Instagram,writing: “Today, the King announced the decision that our children no longer hold the Royal Highness position. We see this as positive as Alexander and Gabriel will have freer choices in life.” (Prince Carl Philip and Princess Sofia later welcomed a third son,Prince Julian.)
source: people.com
