In September 2022, the then Danish monarch Queen Margrethe, decided to modernise and slim down the Royal Family by removing certain titles.
Whether this was done in a fit of pique, or to protect the line of Frederik X (who succeeded her in 2024 after she dramatically abdicated) is unclear but it saw the four children of Prince Joachim stripped of royal titles even though they remain from six to nine in the line of succession.
Since that time, it was understood that there was a clear breakdown in relationships between Joachim, Frederik and Margrethe although she has since expressed regret at her actions.
Danish Royals in self-imposed exile first in France and then in USA
As it happens the prince and his second wife Marie have spent several years living away from Denmark with the couple first moving to France in 2019 as he undertook military training at the prestigious École Militaire.
From there, the family moved to Washington DC in 2023 as Joachim became defence attaché at the Danish Embassy on a three year contract which expires in 2026.
This means therefore that the children have attended school in France and the USA and it is not known whether the family will return to Denmark once the prince’s current contract expires.
There is no doubt that time has been a healer as in recent years Joachim and Marie have represented Denmark at certain official functions and on May 27, 2025 his 57th birthday, King Frederik bestowed the Grand Cross of the Order of Dannebrog on his nephews, Count Nikolai and Count Felix of Monpezat, the former princes who are Prince Joachim’s sons of his first marriage.
Commenting on the decision made by his mother to remove the titles HRH from his four children in the succeeding years, Prince Joachim has observed that the family were disappointed by his mother’s actions but it was a family matter and they have all “moved on”.
What is clear is that he believes that it was good for the children to be removed from Denmark and to grow up abroad, especially as the USA is a country with so much to offer.
Danish Royals in self-imposed exile with Prince Joachim pleased for his children to grow up in the USA
Indeed he confided to Danish publication DK: “The USA is the land of opportunity, and it’s also super exciting for our children to go to school here.”
With persistent rumours that not all is well with the relationship between King Frederik and Queen Mary, the next year will see whether the king’s younger brother will return to Denmark to help stabilise the monarchy.
