Latest news with #Dannebrog
Daily Mail
27-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Count Nikolai and Felix receive special honour from King Frederik X of Denmark - two years after their grandmother stripped them of their royal titles
Queen Margrethe II of Denmark's grandsons, Count Nikolai and Count Felix de Monpezat, have received a special honour since being stripped of their royal titles in 2023. King Frederik X, who succeeded his mother in January last year, awarded Nikolai, 25, and Felix, 22, the Grand Cross of the Order of Dannebrog at a private event before his birthday celebrations at Amalienborg Palace in Copenhagen yesterday. Taking to Instagram, the Danish Royal Family 's official account posted, 'At a private event before the family breakfast at Amalienborg, on the occasion of His Majesty the King's 57th birthday, the King yesterday awarded the Grand Cross of the Order of Dannebrog to Their Excellencies Count Nikolai and Count Felix. 'As a result of the appointment, the counts - like other Danish recipients of the Grand Cross - must have prepared a personal knight shield. When finished, it will be hung in the Knight Chapel at Frederiksborg Castle in Hillerød.' In the post, a selection of photographs showed Frederik honouring his nephews, the sons of Prince Joachim and his first wife, Alexandra Countess of Frederiksborg, with the order. Nikolai later reposted the images with the writing, 'Very honoured to have received the order Storkorset af Dannebrog yesterday from my uncle on his birthday.' Nikolai and Felix were stripped of their royal titles by their paternal grandmother, Queen Margrethe, in a bombshell decision on January 1, 2023. Margrethe, 85, announced in September 2022 that the four children of her younger son, 55-year-old Prince Joachim, would no longer be able to use the title of prince and princess after January 1. She said the decision was intended to allow Nikolai, Felix, Henrik, 16, and Athena, 13, to live normal lives without royal obligations. Instead of being Princes and Princesses, they are Counts or Countess and referred to as Their Excellencies. On the Royal Family and Succession to The Throne pages of the website, the four royals, who have maintained their positions in the line of succession, are mentioned with their updated titles. It was a tumultuous time for the Danish Royal Family after the monarch stripped Joachim's four children of their prince and princess titles - a move which he publicly spoke out against. But speaking in a televised New Year's address, Margrethe admitted: 'That the relationship with Prince Joachim and (his wife) Princess Marie has run into difficulties hurts me. 'Difficulties and disagreements can arise in any family, including mine. The whole country has witnessed this.' She added that she was 'sure that the family can enter the New Year together with confidence, understanding and new courage'. Nikolai has since launched his own Instagram account to promote his modelling career - and has seldom been seen with his cousins and aunt since the announcement. In 2022, Prince Joachim publicly spoke out against his mother's decision in the days after she stripped his children of their titles- claiming that they had been 'harmed' in the process. Months later, the sixth-in-line to the throne admitted that 'communication was missing' within the Royal Family in the lead-up to the shock announcement. Joachim told local news outlet B.T.: 'There is a lot to work on. Communication was what was missing. Now we have met and we are on the right track.' Shortly after Queen Margrethe's decision was announced, Joachim claimed that he had only been given five days' notice before the news was made public. In an interview with Danish publication Ekstra Bladet, Joachim said his four children had been 'hurt' by their grandmother's decision. 'I was given five days' notice to tell them,' he said, speaking outside the Danish embassy in Paris. 'In May, I was presented with a plan which, by and large, was that when the children each turned 25, it would happen. Now I had only five days to tell them. Athena turns 11 in January.' Meanwhile, his ex-wife Alexandra said that her sons, Nikolai and Felix, had been left feeling 'ostracised' from the institution and the decision had come like a 'bolt out of the blue'. In response, the Royal Household released a further statement, saying: 'As the Queen stated yesterday, the decision has been a long time coming. 'We understand that there are many emotions at stake at the moment, but we hope that the Queen's wish to future-proof the Royal Household will be respected.' Out of title: The four grandchildren who are no longer HRHs Nikolai of Denmark, 25: The Copenhagen Business School graduate and model regularly tops lists of the world's most eligible bachelors. He has jetted around the world to walk for designers in Paris and London. Nikolai has also appeared on the cover of Vogue Scandinavia. Felix of Denmark, 22: Following in his brother's footsteps, Felix has also had success as a model and has starred in an advertising campaign for Georg Jensen. He had a short stint at the Royal Danish Military Academy but quit after two months because it 'wasn't for him'. Henrik, 16, and Athena, 13, of Denmark: The youngest of Prince Joachim's four children, Henrik and Athena are the product of his second marriage to Princess Marie. However, the Royal Family appears to have put the drama behind them in recent times as they came together to celebrate Princess Isabella of Denmark's 18th birthday. Despite previous tensions, any feelings of resentment appeared long gone at the birthday party. With the birthday girl's glittering ballgown, award-worthy performances, and a guest list spanning one thousand young people, Isabella's 18th bash was one to remember. Denmark's royal family and it-girls arrived at the lavish Royal Theatre's Old Stage in Copenhagen to mark Queen Mary and King Frederik X's second child's coming of age in April. The official event saw the country's elite gather at the venue alongside one thousand of Denmark's young people, who secured tickets their tickets via a lottery, for a series of breathtaking performances by both established artists and emerging talents. It was the second official event held in honour of Isabella's birthday, with the first party held at Aarhus Hall on 11 April, which, according to Hello, cost a staggering £32,542, including security, catering, and entertainment, but not the cost of her £1,000 mystery birthday gift. The birthday girl arrived in style alongside her parents and siblings, Crown Prince Christian, 19, Princess Josephine, 14, and Prince Vincent, also 14, before taking to the red carpet and posing up a storm. While Danish royalty, including Queen Margrethe, assembled on the carpet in sparkling gowns, other invitees gathered on the theatre's steps to catch a glimpse at the star-studded arrivals. Once inside, guests wandered through chandelier-lit corridors before finding their place at the theatre in preparation for Their Majesties and Princess Isabella's entrance. Isabella's cousins, Count Nikolai and Count Felix of Monzepat, the sons of Prince Joachim, were in attendance, wearing velvet suit jackets with smart bow ties.
Sky News AU
12-05-2025
- Politics
- Sky News AU
Climate activists accuse Queen Mary and King Frederik of 'double standards' over historic royal ship's massive carbon emissions
Eco warriors have taken aim at Queen Mary of Denmark and her husband, King Frederik X, accusing the royal couple of hypocrisy after they boarded their historic royal ship for the start of the sailing season. The Australian-born Queen, 53, and King Frederik, 56, launched the 2025 sailing season aboard the Royal Ship Dannebrog on Wednesday, departing from Nordre Toldbod in Copenhagen to a fanfare of 27 cannon shots before arriving in Helsingør, where they were saluted by Kronborg Castle. But while the royal appearance drew cheers from the crowd, critics say the tradition is at odds with Frederik's previously stated commitment to environmental responsibility. The Dannebrog, built in the early 1930s, is said to emit 60 times more CO2 than the average Danish citizen does in an entire year. The ship, which serves as an official and private residence for members of the Royal Family during summer cruises and overseas visits, is considered a national symbol and has been used by Danish monarchs for generations. Last year, it was used by King Frederik and Queen Mary during their state visits to Sweden, Norway, the Faroe Islands, and Greenland. Despite its cultural significance, critics have pointed to King Frederik's environmental messaging, especially in the wake of his recent accession to the throne. Just three days after becoming king on January 14, 2024, Frederik released The King's Word, a book outlining his visions for the future, including his and Queen Mary's commitment to promoting a greener future. "As the royal couple, we are concerned with being able to contribute to passing the planet on to the next generation in good condition, which requires that we promote the green transition," King Frederik wrote. But the decision to continue using the Dannebrog has prompted backlash from activists and politicians alike. Christina Olumeko, democracy spokesperson for The Alternative party, and Jacob Sørensen, an analyst with the environmental group NOAH, criticised the King for displaying "double standards" and urged him to act as a stronger role model. In response, the Danish Royal House issued a statement to broadcaster B.T. via its new Head of Communications, Nina Munch-Perrin. "The Royal House is aware of the dilemma associated with Dannebrog being powered by conventional fuel," she said. "The Defence is currently investigating the possibility of using alternative fuels with a view to reducing emissions from the Royal Ship." Munch-Perrin added that the vessel holds a deeper significance: "It is important to emphasise that Dannebrog is a historic ship with symbolic and representative significance for Denmark. "It is a gathering point, no matter where in the Kingdom it is located. The royal ship is in great demand." Royal historian Sebastian Olden-Jørgensen welcomed the acknowledgement but said the Royal House should have anticipated criticism over the Dannebrog's environmental impact. "It was only a matter of time before the climate issue had to hit the Royal House, especially when you have set the climate line you have," he said. "So it's surprising that you haven't thought about it before." Olden-Jørgensen noted the complexity of modernising such a storied vessel while maintaining tradition. "Nina Munch-Perrin gives a defensive answer, which basically means that they haven't really thought about how to make the ship more climate-friendly, but that they want to do it now," he said. "But she also indicates that there are no easy solutions, and that's probably right if you want to preserve the Royal Ship in its current design, and it's probably also insanely expensive to completely redesign it." The criticism comes as the Danish royal family relocated from Amalienborg Palace in Copenhagen to their preferred summer home, Fredensborg Palace on Zealand Island. The king and queen, along with three of their four children, Princess Isabella, 18, and 14-year-old twins Prince Vincent and Princess Josephine, were seen arriving at their new royal residence on Monday. Their eldest son, Crown Prince Christian, who is 19, will join the rest of the family later this summer after he completes his mandatory military service in Slagelse.
Daily Mail
09-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
King Frederik and Queen Mary cop criticism over controversial decision: 'Pathetic... double standards'
King Frederik X and Queen Mary of Denmark have copped harsh criticism this week after appearing to turn their back on one of their 'main promises'. The royal couple visited Nordre Toldbod in Copenhagen on Wednesday where they boarded their Royal Ship, Dannebrog, for the official launch of the 2025 sailing season. But the decision to board the mighty ship was scolded, as the vessel said to emit 60 times more CO2 than the average Dane emits in one year. The pair sail on board the yacht through Danish waters every year. This year they will set off on their first 'major' sail on August 25 for four days but the summer cruises often last as long as two weeks depending on the schedule. In 2024, their sailing tour also included trips to Sweden, Norway and Greenland. The ship's impact on climate change has been questioned by local royal and environmental experts who branded the move 'disappointing and pathetic', leaving the Royal House no choice but to respond. In a written, translated response to the Danish Broadcast Corporation, the Palace's new head of communications wrote: 'The Royal House is aware of the dilemma associated with Dannebrog being powered by conventional fuel. '[We are] currently investigating the possibility of using alternative fuels with a view to reducing emissions from the Royal Ship. 'At the same time, it is important to emphasise that Dannebrog is a historic ship with symbolic and representative significance for Denmark. It is a gathering point, no matter where in the Kingdom it is located. The royal ship is in great demand.' Royal House expert Sebastian Olden-Jørgensen told B.T. News that it was 'only a matter of time before the climate issue hit the Royal House', especially given the King's public commitment to the environment. 'As the royal couple, we are concerned with being able to contribute to passing the planet on to the next generation in good condition, which requires that we promote the green transition,' King Frederik wrote in his book 'King's Words' at the start of his reign. Before the drama hit, the royal pair were busy carrying out their jam-packed schedule while moving out of home and into their summer residence on the shore of Lake Esrum in Fredensborg with Queen Margrethe. They moved residences on Monday 5 May to Fredensborg Palace, where they will be taking up residence in the eastern wing, known as Chancellery House, for the summer. The King and Queen along with their three youngest children Princess Isabella, Prince Vincent and Princess Josephine, moved into Fredensborg Palace alongside Frederik's mother, Queen Margrethe, who had already taken up residence in the main palace. The expansive property on Zealand island in Denmark has plenty of room to accommodate the whole royal family. It is something of a homecoming for the royal couple, who lived full-time in the Chancellery from 2004-10 when he was still the Crown Prince and Amelienborg Palace in Copenhagen was being refurbished. Royal watchers were surprised to learn that former monarch Queen Margrethe is staying in the main residence of Fredensborg Palace (left), while King Frederik and Queen Mary along with their children have moved into the palace's eastern wing, Chancellery House (right). But royal watchers are intrigued by the fact that former monarch Queen Margrethe is staying in the main palace, while the current King and Queen's family have moved into the secondary accommodation in Chancellery House. Royal expert and historian Lars Hovbakke Sørensen explained to Danish publication B.T. that it was 'completely unproblematic' for the current King and his family to be living in the palace's secondary residence. The expert explained that although it might seem unusual, Lars said it was an 'obvious' result of Queen Margrethe opting to abdicate the throne in 2024, rather than it passing to her son following her death. '[W]e have a completely different situation than ever before, where we have a living, former regent,' explained Lars. As the northern hemisphere summer approaches, the Danish royal family traditionally move their residence to Fredensborg Palace. For most of the year, Frederik and Mary live at Amalienborg with their four children – Crown Prince Christian, 19, Princess Isabella, 18, and 14-year-old twins, Prince Vincent and Princess Josephine. However, Prince Christian will not be joining the royal family at Chancellery House this summer as he remains stationed in the town of Slagelse as part of his compulsory military service.
