Stripped of Their Royal Titles, King Frederick Makes a Surprise Move for His Nephews

King Frederik of Denmark whitethorn person celebrated his 57th day this week, but he marked nan juncture by bestowing gifts connected 2 of his nephews.

On May 26, nan Danish monarch presented Count Nikolai of Monpezat and Count Felix of Monpezat pinch nan Grand Cross of nan Order of nan Dannebrog.

The position took spot astatine nan Amalienborg Palace successful Copenhagen. The Order of nan Dannebrog is simply a Danish bid of chivalry instituted successful 1671 by King Christian V. While erstwhile constricted to 50 noblemen, nan bid is utilized coming to admit notable Danes for their work aliases contributions to their country.

The charismatic Instagram relationship of nan Danish royal family documented nan occasion, noting,
"As a consequence of nan appointment, nan counts — for illustration different Danish recipients of nan Grand Cross — must person prepared a individual knight shield. When finished, it will beryllium hung successful nan Knight Chapel astatine Frederiksborg Castle successful Hillerød."

Nikolai besides took to his personal Instagram page, saying he was "very honored to person received nan Order of nan Dannebrog yesterday from my uncle connected his birthday."

Nikolai and Felix are nan eldest sons of Prince Joachim, nan younger relative of nan King. They are Joachim's only children pinch his first wife, Alexandra Christina, Countess of Frederiksborg. The mates divided successful 2005, and Prince Joachim joined Princess Marie of Denmark successful 2008. They besides person 2 children, Count Henrik and Countess Athena of Monpezat.

Prince Joachim's children were primitively besides princes and princesses, besides titled pinch "His/Her Highness." However, successful September 2022, Queen Margrethe announced that she would beryllium stripping Joachim's children of those titles, demoting them to "His/Her Excellency" and nan count/countess moniker. However, nan 4 children support their spot successful nan Danish statement of succession.

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In her unexpected announcement, nan Queen shared that she wished to "create nan model for nan 4 grandchildren to beryllium capable to style their ain lives to a overmuch greater extent" without nan responsibilities related to nan Royal House of Denmark.

In March 2024, Prince Joachim and Princess Marie gave an question and reply to The Washington Post successful Washington, D.C., wherever nan prince useful arsenic a defense manufacture attaché astatine nan Danish Embassy. They admitted that they had "complicated" feelings astir really nan Queen's announcement was handled.

"We weren’t happy astir nan measurement it happened," Princess Marie said. "But it’s a family thing. It’s complicated."

In summation to their titles, Joachim and Marie besides shared that they felt their children had mislaid their fixed names.

"It’s their personality since they were born," Marie added. "So it’s much than conscionable what group spot arsenic a title." 

Regardless, Prince Joachim said successful nan interview, "We’ve moved on." They person besides supported Queen Margrethe, King Frederik and different family members astatine various events since.

King Frederik assumed nan throne successful January 2024, pursuing Queen Margrethe's determination to abdicate. The erstwhile monarch was precocious hospitalized, and cited her wellness arsenic a logic for stepping down erstwhile she announced her plans in 2023.

"In February this year, I underwent extended backmost surgery. Everything went well, acknowledgment to nan competent wellness personnel, who took attraction of me," she said, successful part. "Inevitably, nan cognition gave origin to thoughts astir nan early – whether now would beryllium an due clip to walk connected nan work to nan adjacent generation. I person decided that now is nan correct time."