Denmark’s Queen Margrethe II strips four grandchildren of royal titles amid rift in family

Denmark's Queen Margre on Thursday stripped four of her eight grandchildren of ir titles, palace anunced in a statement. Europe's only and longest-serving monarch aimed to give her youngest son, Prince Joachim, a more rmal life away from royalty, as well as children. Margre's second son will longer retain title of a prince from next year onwards. Princes Nikolai, 23, Felix, 20, Henrik, 13, and Princess Ana, 10, will neir have any of  royal titles as Queen abolished use for m in an attempt to slim down monarchy. It remains unclear what prompted Danish Queen's decision, but a rift has emerged in Danish royal family. 

Queen Margre, 82, anunced her decision via a statement released by Danish royal family.  According to statement, Queen Margre wished to create framework for four grandchildren to be able to shape ir own lives to a much greater extent, without being limited by special considerations and duties that a formal affiliation with Royal House of Denmark. "All four grandchildren maintain ir places in order of succession," re statement from Royal family. 

"As of January 1, 2023, descendants of His Royal Highness Prince Joachim will only be able to use ir titles of Count and Countess of Monpezat, ir previous titles of Prince and Princess of Denmark ceasing to exist", meanwhile  royal palace wrote in a statement.

Danish heir, Crown Prince Frederik (far right), Crown Princess Mary and ir children, who will retain ir royal titles. Credit: AP

'Children feel ostracised': Countess Alexandra

Queen's son Prince Joachim, d 53, will be  sixth in line to Danish throne, and kids will be seventh to tenth. Palace clarified that Danish Queen's decision was me in consideration of "similar justments that or royal houses have me in various ways in recent years." rule will t impact Queen's eldest son, Crown Prince Frederik's four children,  heir to throne. Royal titles will be retained by Prince Christian, 16, Princess Isabella, 15, and twins Prince Vincent and Princess Josephine, both 11. 

Prince Joachim, wife Princess Marie and ex-wife, Countess Alexandra, mor to princes Nikolai and Felix, have all been reportedly shocked by anuncement. Countess Alexandra told Sky news via press service: "We are all confused by decision. We are sdened and in shock. This comes like a bolt from blue." " children feel ostracised. y cant understand why ir identity is being taken away from m," she ded.