Princess Mary’s father-in-law Prince Henrik of Denmark has dementia, palace says

DANISH Prince Henrik, Princess Mary’s father-in-law, has been diagnosed with dementia, as the Danish palace says it is the reason for his odd behaviour.

Princess Mary of Denmark with her father-in-law Prince Henrik in 2006 in Sweden. Picture: Supplied

DENMARK’S Prince Henrik, the husband of Queen Margrethe, has been diagnosed with dementia, a condition that has affected his behaviour and judgment, the palace has revealed.

The announcement came weeks after the 83-year-old announced he did not want to be buried next to his wife, saying he was unhappy he had never been acknowledged as her equal.

Denmark's Queen Margrethe and her husband Prince Henrik in June this year. Picture: AP

“Following a longer diagnostic process and lately a series of examinations during late summer, a specialist team ... has now concluded that his Royal Highness Prince Henrik suffers from dementia,” the Royal House said in a statement.

“The extent of the cognitive failure is ... greater than expected considering the age of The Prince,” it added.

Crown Prince Frederik of Denmark, Prince Vincent of Denmark, Prince Henrik of Denmark, Princess Josephine of Denmark, Prince Christian of Denmark, Princess Isabella of Denmark, Queen Margrethe II of Denmark and Crown Princess Mary of Denmark in 2016. Picture: Getty

Henrik, who married Margrethe in 1967, retired last year and renounced his title of Prince Consort, saying he was disappointed not to be named King Consort.

Since then he has participated in very few official duties and spent much of his time at his private vineyard in France.

In Denmark, a princess traditionally becomes queen when her husband takes the throne, but a man does not become king when the roles are reversed.

Queen Margrethe and husband Prince Henrik of Denmark arrive at The Royal Theatre in Copenhagen for Gala performance in 2004 on eve of their son, Danish Crown Prince Frederik's marriage to Australian Mary Donaldson. Picture: Supplied

He recently made headlines when he said his wife does “not respect” him and does not want to be buried next to her.

“My wife does not give me the respect a normal wife must give her spouse,” the Prince says in the clip. “It is her that is making a fool of me. I didn’t marry the Queen to be buried at Roskilde.”

Queen Margrethe and Prince Henrik of Denmark with their children and grandchildren at Grasten Castle in Grasten, Denmark. Picture: Getty

Born Henri Marie Jean Andre de Laborde de Monpezat in France in 1934, Henrik has two sons with the queen, Crown Prince Frederik and Prince Joachim. The Queen’s heir, Frederik, married Australian-born Mary Donaldson in 2004, making the young woman from Hobart Crown Princess of Denmark and one day Queen. Frederik made headlines in Australia last month when a pub denied him entry because he didn’t have any identification.

Originally published as Princess Mary’s father-in-law Prince Henrik of Denmark has dementia, palace says