Crown Princess Mary to be Queen: How stripping of titles sparked huge row

From toxic family relationships to accusations of bad behaviour, the Danish royals have had their share of behind-the-scenes dramas.

It’s the shock abdication that has turned centuries of Danish tradition on its head, elevating Australia-born Crown Princess Mary to the role of Queen.

Queen Margrethe’s decision to step down as monarch in favour of her son, Crown Prince Frederik, is more than just a changing of the guard.

It signals a new chapter in the Danish royal family, which has had its fair share of behind-the-scenes drama in recent years.

The chain-smoking and down to earth Queen Margrethe has long been lauded for her ability to relate to the modern world.

Crown Princess Mary attends a gala banquet at Christiansborg Palace with her husband and brother-in-law. Picture: AFP

But her appeal took a hit in September 2022 when she stripped her youngest son Prince Joachim’s four children of the titles they had held since birth.

At the time, the Royal Household stressed in a statement that the decision was the Queen’s wish to slim down and “future-proof” the Danish monarchy.

However, the move backfired and came not only as a shock to her country, but to her own family.

The Danish royal family has had its share of dramas. Picture: AFP

The drama caused a bitter row among the Danish royals, particularly between brothers Prince Joachim and the soon-to-be King Frederik X.

In an unprecedented move, Prince Joachim hit out publicly at his mother’s decision to remove princely titles from Prince Nikolai, 23, Prince Felix, 20, Prince Henrik, 13, and Princess Athena, 10.

Queen Margrethe II with her two sons, Crown Prince Frederik and Prince Joachim. Picture: AFP

Months after the shock move, Prince Joachim admitted his relationship with his brother Crown Prince Frederik was “complicated” and said the stripping of their titles had “punished” his children.

Speaking to Danish magazine BT in October 2022 about the concept of a slimmed-down monarchy, Prince Joachim said: “The reality must still be: whether you modernise or slim down, it must be done in a proper way.

“It’s about children. Orderliness and children. It is a very heavy matter.”

Prince Joachim with his wife and four children. Picture: AFP

Commenting on Crown Princess Mary’s comments in 2022 that her children may too lose titles in the future, Prince Joachim said he was just given five days’ notice about the changes.

“I don’t know how they feel if they have to think it through. Now is preparation time. We didn’t have that.

“I can say that my children are sad. My kids don’t know which leg to stand on. What they should believe. Why should their identity be removed? Why must they be punished in that way?’

“I don’t want to engage in speculation and mudslinging — I am telling the truth.

“I was given five days’ notice of this. To tell my children that on New Year’s their identity will be taken from them.”

His ex-wife, Countess Alexandra, the mother of his two eldest children, told Danish magazine Se og Hør: “This comes like a bolt from the blue. The children feel ostracised. They cannot understand why their identity is being taken away from them.”

Eldest child Nikolai,who now has the title of Count and was in Australia last year during Melbourne’s spring racing carnival, said at the time he was saddened and confused by the move.