Change of Titles within the Danish Royal Family as of January 1, 2023

Photo: Steen Brogaard, Kongehuset ©

On September 28, 2022, the Danish Royal House announced that there would be some changes coming for royal titles within the Danish Royal Family.

Queen Margrethe II has decided that, as of January 1, 2023, the children of HRH Prince Joachim would no longer hold the style and title of HH Prince/Princess.  However, they will hold the title Count/Countess of Monpezat, with the style of His/Her Excellency.  This slimming down is in keeping with recent changes in other royal families and will allow Prince Joachim’s children to pursue more independent lives and careers. Prince Joachim had two sons with his first wife Alexandra Manley (divorced 2005), now styled Her Excellency Countess Alexandra of Frederiksborg. He had one son and one daughter with his second wife Marie Cavallier, now styled Her Royal Highness Princess Marie.

As of January 1, 2023, Prince Joachim’s children are styled:

The Monpezat titles come from the Queen’s late husband, Prince Henrik, who was Count of Monpezat.  In 2008, Queen Margrethe granted the title to her sons and their descendants as well.

Here is the full statement issued by the Danish Royal House:

In April 2008, Her Majesty The Queen bestowed upon her sons, their spouses and their descendants the titles of count and countess of Monpezat. 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, as of 1 January 2023, His Royal Highness Prince Joachim’s descendants can only use their titles as counts and countess of Monpezat, as the titles of prince and princess that they have held up until now will be discontinued. Prince Joachim’s descendants will thus have to be addressed as excellencies in the future. The Queen’s decision is in line with similar adjustments that other royal houses have made in various ways in recent years.

With her decision, Her Majesty The Queen wishes 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.

Danish Royal House: Changes in titles and forms of address in the Royal Family