Denmark's own 'Prince Harry' arrives on his own to see his brother become king

13 January 2024 , 20:04

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Prince Frederik will ascend the throne after the sudden abdication of his mother Queen Margrethe but all isn't well with Joachim (Image: UK Press via Getty Images)

Move over Prince William and Harry - Denmark has its very own warring royal sibling saga and it is also playing out on a very public stage.

The family are reportedly in "meltdown" over the rivalry and while there are some striking similarities between the disagreements in Scandinavia and in Britain, one claim puts Megxit very much in the shade. When Prince Frederik becomes King Frederik the 10th on Sunday, following the sudden abdication of his mother, Queen Margrethe II, his brother Joachim’s wife and children will not be there.

Royal fans will remember back to last year Harry’s wife Meghan Markle staying away when his father Charles was crowned King. This weekend's decision appears to be for the best. Magazine Vanititas Elconfidencial allege that Joachim was "deeply in love" with his brothe'rs Australian wife Mary - and the publication even claim he once tried to kiss her.

"With obvious signs of drunkenness, it seems that the youngest son of Queen Margarethe tried to stamp his lips on his sister-in-law's mouth, that she got out of the way as she could and with an unperturbed smile, while Marie witnessed the embarrassing moment," the reported. There has never been a response to the suggestions from the Danish royals.

Joachim, 54, is understood to be livid about a 'scaling back' of the Danish royal family, something of course that King Charles is keen on. In 2022, the Queen of Denmark 's decision to strip royal titles from four of her grandchildren sparked a bitter royal row with junior members of the family and the monarch embroiled in a war of words in the press.

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Harry and William aren't the only royal brothers who have issues (POOL/AFP via Getty Images)

A few days after, Queen Margrethe apologised to her family for "underestimating" the impact of stripping the prince and princess titles from the children of her second son, Prince Joachim. But she also stressed that her decision is final and Princes Nikolai, 25, Felix, 22, and Henrik, 15, and their sister Princess Athena, 12, will be known as count or countess and be referred to as their excellencies. His mother's decision sparked anger from Joachim's camp, with the younger brother claiming the kids were upset over their "identities" being "removed".

Joachim told Danish outlet Ekstra Bladet: "We are all very sad. It's never fun to see your children being mistreated like that. They find themselves in a situation they do not understand." While complaining about the ruling Joachim, 53, and his wife Princess Marie, 46, also confessed that not all was well in the royal household.

He revealed his relationship with his older brother and the heir to the throne, Crown Prince Frederik and his wife Crown Princess Mary, 52, is a "complicated" one. Joachim criticised his mother's decision to remove his childrens' titles claiming he was only given five days notice to tell his three sons and one daughter.

The Danish royals have never commented on the allegations that were made (Ritzau Scanpix/AFP via Getty Ima)

In a statement, the monarch admitted her decision "makes a big impression" - for which she apologised - but said it has been made as a "Queen, mother and grandmother". It read: "In recent days, there have been strong reactions to my decision on the future use of titles for Prince Joachim's four children. It obviously affects me. My decision has been a long time coming. With my 50 years on the throne, it is natural both to look back and to look forward.

"It is my duty and my wish as Queen to ensure that the monarchy continues to shape itself in keeping with the times. It sometimes requires difficult decisions to be made, and it will always be difficult to find the right moment. Carrying a royal title entails a number of obligations and duties, which will in future be the responsibility of fewer members of the royal family. This adaptation, which I see as a necessary safeguard for the future of the monarchy, I want to make in my time.

"I have made my decision as Queen, mother and grandmother, but as a mother and grandmother I have underestimated how much my youngest son and his family feel affected. It makes a big impression, and I'm sorry for that. She continued: "No one should be in doubt that my children, children-in-law and grandchildren are my great joy and pride. I now hope that we as a family can find the peace to find our way through this situation ourselves."

Prince Joachim had previously told news organisation Ekstra Bladet : "We are all very sad. "It's never fun to see your children being harmed. They themselves find themselves in a situation they do not understand." He added: "I was given five days' notice to tell them. In May, I was presented with a plan which, by and large, was that when the children each turned 25, it would happen.

Sam Elliott-Gibbs