Prince Joachim of Denmark has shared a unique glimpse inside his life across the pond in Washington D.C. with his wife, Princess Marie, and their two children.
The Danish royals announced their move from France to the US back in March 2023. Their relocation was prompted by Joachim’s new role as defence industry attaché at the capital’s Danish Embassy.
Prior to this, the family-of-four had been living in Paris, with Joachim taking up the position of Denmark’s defence attaché.
In a new interview with Danish publication, DK, Prince Joachim revealed that his two children, Count Henrik and Countess Athena, are enjoying their new life in the States.
“The USA is a land of opportunity, and it’s also super exciting for our children to go to school here,” he explained. “The fact that they are here gives me the peace and ballast to be able to give 110 per cent to the effort here.”
He mused on the new opportunities presented to them, adding: “They are really challenged in a great way, and it’s something they enjoy. I think that if I look at the very long term, four years in Paris [and then] over here, I think that will be well spent, and I also think that they will thank me for that – one day.”
Queen Margrethe strips royal titles
In 2023, Queen Margrethe of Denmark made the shock decision to strip most of her grandchildren from their royal titles, in order for them to “shape their own lives, without being limited by the special considerations and obligations that a formal affiliation to the Royal House of Denmark entails.”
In lieu of their prince and princess of Denmark titles, it was determined that Prince Joachim’s descendants would only be allowed to use either Count or Countess of Monpezat.
Joachim is a proud father to four children: Count Nikolai and Count Felix from his first marriage to Alexandra, Countess of Frederiksborg, and his younger children, Count Henrik, and Countess Athena from his second marriage to Princess Marie.
Queen Margrethe’s four other grandchildren, born to King Frederik, 57, will retain their titles, meaning only children of direct heirs to the throne will keep their titles.
A possible move?
Despite relishing his life in the US, Prince Joachim recently spoke about his future plans to return “home” after spending years abroad. Speaking to TV2, the Danish royal said: “We have a desire to come home. But we also do not rule out the possibility of staying abroad. Now we have to see. For now, it is on our radar, when the post here stops, we will return home.”
On feeling homesick, he added: “Overall, we can all feel it, and we can also feel it in the children, that it is at home in Denmark that we have our largest social base. We can’t travel back and forth, after all, there is a six-hour time difference and an entire ocean in between. We take our time when we are home and enjoy it to the fullest. Perhaps that is the band-aid for being far away from home.”