The move caused a rift in the family with the queen’s younger son Prince Joachim,who lives in Paris with his second wife Princess Marie,expressing his frustration and disappointment to Danish media about the decision.
It has placed him on an opposing side to his brother,heir to the throne,Crown Prince Frederik,whose children keep their titles. Frederik’s wife,the Australian-born Crown Princess Mary,expressed her support for the queen. The move will take effect next year.
“Change can be difficult and can really hurt. But this does not mean that the decision is not the right one,” she said.
“We will also look at our children’s titles when the time comes. Today we do not know what the royal house will look like in Christian’s time,or when Christian’s time begins to approach.”
The palace last week announced the four children of Prince Joachim would no longer be called prince or princess but instead Count or Countess of Monpezat – the birth title of her late husband,the French-born Prince Henrik.
“I have made my decision as queen,mother and grandmother. But,as a mother and grandmother,I have underestimated the extent to how much my younger son and his family feel affected. That makes a big impression and for that I am sorry,” Margrethe,82,said in a statement released by the royal household.