Prince Joachim of Denmark Says Family Has 'Moved On' After Royal Title Controversy

Prince Joachim of Denmark and his wife Princess Marie have said they have 'moved on' after Queen Margrethe's decision in 2022 to strip their children of their royal titles. The couple relocated to Washington D.C. in 2023 for Prince Joachim's new job with the Danish Embassy, where they say they have the freedom to live under the royal radar as their children focus on their studies and careers.

In September 2022, Queen Margrethe unexpectedly removed the prince and princess titles from Joachim's four children, leading to a family rift. Joachim, his wife Princess Marie, and their children lost their 'His or Her Royal Highness' (HRH) status and became known as Count or Countess of Monpezat. The decision was described as 'complicated' and 'sad' by the family, with the children feeling 'ostracized' and 'in shock.'

Queen Margrethe later apologized but did not change her decision, saying it was to ensure the monarchy kept up with the times. Joachim and his family spent Christmas 2022 apart from the royal family due to the tensions. However, the family appeared to heal with time, reuniting for Christmas in 2023.

Why this matters: The Danish royal family drama highlights the challenges of modernizing monarchies and the personal impact of such changes. It also underscores the delicate balance between royal traditions and adapting to contemporary society.

Princess Marie noted that the Queen's decision was about more than just a title, as it was their children's identity since birth. Joachim's former wife, Countess Alexandra, also said the children felt 'ostracised' and were 'in shock' over the decision that saw them become Counts and Countesses of Monpezat.

The Danish royal family experienced another major change in 2023 when Queen Margrethe abdicated, making her eldest son King Frederik X. Margrethe had previously made the surprising decision to voluntarily leave the throne, marking the first abdication by a Danish monarch in 900 years.

In a recent interview with The Washington Post, Prince Joachim directly stated, "We've moved on." Princess Marie expressed, "It's a family thing. It's complicated." The couple said living in the U.S. capital allows them to live more privately as their children pursue their own paths, free from the royal spotlight.

Key Takeaways

• Prince Joachim and Princess Marie relocated to Washington D.C. in 2023.
• Queen Margrethe stripped Joachim's children of their royal titles in 2022.
• The family rift was described as 'complicated' and 'sad' by the family.
• The Danish royal family experienced another major change in 2023 with Queen Margrethe's abdication.
• Joachim and Marie say they have 'moved on' and can live more privately in the U.S.