Queen Margrethe of Denmark strips 4 grandchildren of royal titles, echoing King Charles”slimmed down’ monarchy desire

Queen Margrethe II of Denmark stripped four of her grandchildren of their royal titles, mirroring rumored intentions for a “streamlined” monarchy in the United Kingdom.

The royal house of Denmark released a press release on Wednesday revealing the Danish queen’s decision. It was stated that the decision of Margrethe, who is now Europe’s longest-reigning queen following the death of Queen Elizabeth II, will have an effect on the children of her youngest son, Prince Joachim of Denmark, beginning in 2023.

However, the children of Margrethe’s eldest son and heir apparent, Prince Frederik, are still permitted to use their royal titles.

The descendants of His Royal Highness Prince Joachim will no longer hold the titles of prince and princess, according to a press release. Instead, they will be known as counts and countsses of Monpezat. Therefore, future generations of Prince Joachim’s progeny will have to be addressed as excellencies.

The press announcement emphasized that despite losing their princely titles, the four grandchildren remain in the Danish line of succession.

In 2018, Queen Margrethe II and her grandchildren.

Patrick van Katwijk/Getty Images

It appears that Margrethe has not made this decision lightly. In 2008, when she bestowed the count and countess titles to four of her grandchildren, she reportedly laid the basis for abolishing their royal titles.

It also followed her announcement in 2016 that her eldest grandson, Prince Christian, would be the only grandchild to receive a state allowance as an adult, according to the statement. Christian, age 16, is the current heir apparent to the Danish crown.

The message closed by echoing Margrethe’s wish that, without princely titles, her four grandchildren will be allowed to live lives unrestricted by royal obligations.

“Her Majesty The Queen desires to create the foundation for the four grandchildren to be allowed to define their own lives without being bound by the unique considerations and responsibilities that a formal affiliation with the Royal House of Denmark entails,” the statement continued.

The decision of Margrethe recalls King Charles’ aim for a “slimmed down” British monarchy.

The statement stated that Margrethe’s choice was made with other royal families in mind. “The Queen’s decision is consistent with similar changes made by other royal houses in recent years,” it stated.

It is unknown whose royal houses are being mentioned. The Danish royal household did not react promptly to an inquiry from Insider.

Queen Margrethe II (left) and King Charles III (right).

WPA Pool–Ben Birchall/Getty Images and Julian Parker/UK Press/Getty Images

However, there is one royal who has long been rumored to be working toward a “streamlined” monarchy: King Charles III.

Prior to attaining the throne on September 8, Charles reportedly contemplated reorganizing the British monarchy. As previously reported by The Telegraph and Tatler, one of Charles’ duties before to becoming king was to limit the number of British royals from 22 to seven core members.

According to The Times of London, Charles’s pursuit of a “slimmed down” monarchy could be motivated by the royal family’s finances and reputation.

According to the journal, the numerous royal press offices “are permitted to work in their ‘own silos’ regardless of the institution’s influence,” making it more difficult to properly manage PR problems. The Times reported that by reducing the number of royals performing official tasks, the pressure on public monies supporting the sovereign gift would be reduced.

If Charles were to implement his proposals for a “streamlined” monarchy, he would undoubtedly have the backing of the British population.

The Daily Express reported on September 21 that the results of a nationwide poll conducted by Savanta ComRes indicated that 65 percent of British citizens were in support of reducing the size of the monarchy.