How the fractured Danish royals healed their bitter rift: Counts Nikolai and Felix were ‘sad’ over ‘shock decision’ when they were stripped of titles – but put on a united family front at Princess Isabella’s 18th

When Counts Nikolai and Felix of Monpezat made beaming appearances at their cousin Princess Isabella’s dazzling 18th birthday celebrations this week, it appeared to mark a peace within the fractured Danish royals.

The past years saw the relatives divided after Queen Margrethe – who has since abdicated the throne – controversially stripped her second son’s children of their titles three years ago.

As of January 2023, Nikolai, 25, Prince Felix, 22, Prince Henrik, 15, and Princess Athena, 13, have become Counts and Countesses, and are known as Their Excellencies, rather than His or Her Royal Highness.

While Margrethe at the time defended her decision, stating she believed it would be ‘good for them in their future’, a rift was apparent as their father Joachim, 55, hit out at her ‘punishment’ and claimed his four kids’ identity was being ‘removed’.

Commenting on their reaction to the move to B.T., Joachim, who is Margrethe’s youngest son, in 2022 said: ‘I can say that my children are sad. My kids don’t know which leg to stand on. What they should believe.’

The brother of King Frederik – who became King in 2024 – had also claimed that he had only been told the news five days before it was made public, despite the Royal Household insisting the decision ‘has been a long time coming’.

‘I don’t want to engage in speculation and mudslinging,’ said Joachim. ‘I am telling the truth… I was given five days’ notice… I was given five days’ notice of this. To tell my children that on New Year’s their identity will be taken from them.’

He added that in May of that year, he was presented with a plan that his ‘children’s identity should be taken from them when each of them turned 25’, to which he asked ‘to be allowed to come back with my proposal’.

But he said he was given just five days’ notice that the decision was to be accelerated, adding: ‘I am so sorry for my children. I just demand the truth.’

Alexandra, Countess of Frederiksborg – Joachim’s ex-wife and mother to Nikolai and Prince Felix – also at the time said she was ‘in shock’ over Margrethe’s decision.

‘We are all confused by the decision. We are saddened and in shock,’ she said in a statement from her press advisor Helle von Wildenrath Løvgreen, reported Danish magazine Se og Hør.

The statement continued: ‘This comes like a bolt from the blue. The children feel ostracised. They cannot understand why their identity is being taken away from them.’

Prince Joachim married his second wife Princess Marie in 2008, and they later welcomed Prince Henrik and Princess Athena.

Meanwhile, Queen Mary of Denmark – then a Crown Princess – defended her mother-in-law’s choice, and suggested her own children’s positions might not be secure.

The Australian-born royal, whose son Christian is currently the heir to the throne, with her three other kids’ titles not affected by Margrethe, told Ekstra Bladet: ‘Today we cannot see what the royal house will look like when it is Christian’s time, or when Christian’s time begins to approach.’

She added: ‘Change can be extremely difficult and can really hurt. I think most people have tried it. But this does not mean that the decision is not the right one.

‘And I can understand that it is a very difficult decision to have to make, and also a very difficult decision to receive.’

The move had created an ‘icy’ atmosphere within the Royal Family at the time, according to one local media report, and drove a wedge between a seemingly united family.

‘There has never been a public conflict between the Queen and Prince Joachim,’ Danish royal reporter Kenth Madsen told FEMAIL. 

Indeed, they put on a united front just weeks ago when they celebrated Queen Margrethe’s Golden Jubilee.

However, Joachim made public remarks about his feelings on the decision, telling outlet Ekstra Bladet at the time: ‘We are all very sad. It’s never fun to see your children being harmed. They are been put in a situation they do not understand.

‘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. 

‘Now I had only five days to tell them. Athena turns 11 in January.’

It was also claimed that Margrethe spoke neither to her sons nor her grandchildren.

‘The children have received the message that they are losing their titles, delivered by their father, just as Countess Alexandra was told by Prince Joachim,’ Countess Alexandra’s spokesperson told organisations.

In response, the Royal Household released another statement, saying: ‘As the Queen stated, the decision has been a long time coming. 

‘We understand that there are many emotions at stake at the moment, but we hope that the Queen’s wish to future-proof the Royal Household will be respected.’ 

Nikolai himself also told Ekstra Bladet: ‘My whole family and I are of course very sad. We are, as my parents have also stated, in shock at this decision and at how quickly it has actually gone.

‘I am very confused as to why it has to happen like this.’

The bombshell statement, which was released by the Danish Royal Household in 2022, read: ‘In April 2008, Her Majesty the Queen conferred the titles of Count, Countess and Comtesse of Monpezat on her sons, their spouses and their descendants. 

‘In May 2016, it was also announced that His Royal Highness Prince Christian, as the only one of the Queen’s grandchildren, is expected to receive an annuity from the state as an adult.

‘As a natural extension of this, Her Majesty has decided that with effect from 1 January 2023, the descendants of His Royal Highness Prince Joachim can only use their titles as Count and Countess of Monpezat, as their previous titles as Prince and Princess of Denmark will lapse. 

‘Prince Joachim’s descendants will henceforth have to be addressed as Excellencies. 

‘The Queen’s decision is in line with similar adaptations that other royal houses have implemented in different ways in recent years. 

‘With her decision, Her Majesty the Queen wants to create the framework for the four grandchildren to be able to shape their own lives to a much greater extent without being limited by the special considerations and duties that a formal affiliation with the Royal House of Denmark as an institution involves.

‘All four grandchildren maintain their places in the order of succession,’ concluded the statement.’

The family has since appeared to heal the rift however, as Joachim was in attendance for his brother’s ascension to the throne in 2024.

He has however also recently made a surprisingly frank admission about his position within the Danish royal family, while recently speaking in newly released documentary Hærvejen.

In it, he questioned: ‘Am I a product? Do I have something to offer others besides…?’

Elsewhere, Nikolai himself shared a photo of Margrethe ahead of the historic abdication, fondly reminiscing on ‘sweet memories’. And earlier this month, he and his brother joined the family for more birthday celebrations to celebrate his grandmother turning 85.

Since having his title stripped, Nikolai has focused on modelling, making sparse public appearances for royal-related duties.

In March 2023, he launched a new Instagram account to promote his modelling career after being stripped of his ‘HRH’ status by his grandmother, Queen Margrethe.

However, this week Isabella’s birthday offered a moment of unity for the family, as the young Princess – who is the eldest daughter of King Frederik and Queen Mary –looked as stunning as ever in a sparkling navy gown and matching clutch, with her locks pulled back into a sleek bun, as she arrived at the Royal Danish Theatre’s Old Stage in Copenhagen. 

She was accompanied by her mother Queen Mary, 53, and twins Princess Josephine and Prince Vincent, 14.

Mary was elegant as ever in an off-the-shoulder black and silver ensemble, with a glittering skirt and brooch catching the eye.  

Meanwhile, Nikolai and Felix were also in attendance, wearing velvet suit jackets with smart bow-ties, smiling as they attended the festivities.

King Frederik meanwhile appeared very dapper in a royal blue suit. 

Last weekend, Princess Isabella delivered her first solo address at a celebration in honour of her coming of age.

The Princess, who officially turns 18 over Easter on April 21, was joined by her parents and younger twin siblings Princess Josephine and Prince Vincent at the city hall in Aarhus to attend the first of two major public birthday celebrations.

Much to the delight of royal fans, the Danish princess took to the podium at the conclusion of the formal proceedings to deliver her first official address as a royal.

And surprisingly, Princess Isabella chose to dive into her debut speech with a cheeky and self-deprecating joke.

‘Almost four years ago I found out that your words can be overheard when you least expect it,’ Princess Isabella said, as the room erupted in laughter.

‘Today I have no doubt that the microphone is on.’

The bold comment referenced a terse moment in 2021 when Princess Isabella was caught on camera saying the words ‘are you completely confused’ to her mother, Queen Mary.

The teenage princess’ frustrated statement was made following her brother Prince Christian’s confirmation as the royal family tried trying to arrange themselves for a family photo outside the church – with the candid mother-daughter exchange captured in a viral video.

According to local Danish publication Billed Bladet, the unexpected opening line in Princess Isabella’s speech instantly captured the audience’s attention.

Danish publication BT’s entertainment editor Fie West agreed, praising the young royal for making such a bold opening statement.

‘Princess Isabella shows great initiative by starting her very first official speech with a joke,’ Fie said.

‘She speaks into something that many Danes remember and have brought a smile to their faces, and it is extremely charming that she displays self-irony,’ the entertainment editor added.

After the unexpected introduction, Princess Isabella went on to thank all the attendees at the special birthday celebration, while also highlighting her own personal connection to the Danish city of Aarhus.

‘Dear mayor, dear Aarhus, dear everyone who has come today. Thank you so much for a very special birthday celebration,’ she said.

‘It makes me really happy to be celebrated in a city that has great significance for me and my family.’

‘Here I have celebrated Christmas, Easter, walked by the water and in the garden and enjoyed myself in the old town since I was little. I have many good memories in Aarhus and today I have another one.’

The lavish birthday event, which was projected to cost upwards of 290,000 Norwegian Kroner, equivalent to about AU$70,000, featured an extravaganza of performances including dance and music displays and even a fashion show.

The young royal was also presented with three elaborate birthday cakes made by students studying at Aarhus Tech.

The Princess made sure to give a special ‘thank you’ to all the talented and hard-working people who had contributed to the occasion.

The daughter of Queen Mary and King Frederik also thanked the crowd for the ‘nice piece of jewellery’, which according to the pre-party itemised budget was estimated to be worth 10,000 kroner, equivalent to around AU$2400.

The Princess was also touched by the sentimental gift of a book filled with personalised greetings and well-wishes.

The royal concluded her inaugural speech by saying: ‘That you have chosen to celebrate me and that so many have come makes me happy and touched. You should know that it means a lot to me. Thank you very much.’

This celebration is the first of two events arranged by the Royal House ahead of Princess Isabella turning 18.

Next up, the princess will be celebrated with a birthday performance on The Old Stage at the Royal Theatre in Copenhagen.

The Princess and the royal family have invited over 1000 young people from across Denmark to join them to watch the special performance being held this coming Tuesday.

A royal household statement reads: ‘The Royal House of Denmark, in cooperation with The Royal Danish Theatre, invites the young generation to entertaining, exciting and varied performing arts that are both classical and modern.’

The performance is also set to be broadcast live on local television network DR, so all Danes can watch from their living rooms.

The upcoming milestone birthday will also see Princess Isabella receive a major honour from her father King Frederik, known as the Order of the Elephant.

Although she technically won’t receive the Order of the Elephant until she turns 18 next week, it is expected that Isabella will wear the insignia for the first time at the Royal Danish Theatre performance.

The royal household have also recently released new birthday portraits of Princess Isabella to mark her coming of age.

The royal’s 18th birthday pictures were taken by photographer Steen Evald in Frederik VIII’s Palace at Amalienborg.

On her actual birthday on 21 April, Princess Isabella is expected to enjoy a private birthday celebration with family and loved ones.

From this year onwards, Princess Isabella will also have her birthday added into the rotation of annual flag days, which are the official dates when the national flag is traditionally flown.