Thousands line streets for Danish Prince Henrik’s funeral

Thousands of Danes have lined the streets today for Prince Henrik’s funeral as his wife Queen Margrethe wept over his coffin. 

Margrethe joined her family as they said farewell to the 83-year-old today at the Christiansborg Palace Chapel in the centre of Copenhagen.

Large crowds gathered outside as military officers carried away Henrik’s coffin, draped in a Danish flag with his personal coat of arms.

Last year, Henrik stunned Danes when he announced his choice not to be buried in the tomb that has been prepared for him and his wife.

Queen Margrethe (pictured) of Denmark wept today as she said farewell to her 83-year-old husband Henrik at the Christiansborg Palace Chapel in the centre of Copenhagen

Queen Margrethe (pictured) of Denmark wept today as she said farewell to her 83-year-old husband Henrik at the Christiansborg Palace Chapel in the centre of Copenhagen

Queen Margrethe was joined by her daughter-in-law Crown Princess Mary, son Crown Prince Frederik and grandchildren as they followed Henrik's coffin out of the chapel

Queen Margrethe was joined by her daughter-in-law Crown Princess Mary, son Crown Prince Frederik and grandchildren as they followed Henrik’s coffin out of the chapel

Members of the royal family were joined by Prime Minister Lars Lokke Rasmussen, France's ambassador to Denmark and some 60 other guests  at the simple church ceremony today

Members of the royal family were joined by Prime Minister Lars Lokke Rasmussen, France’s ambassador to Denmark and some 60 other guests at the simple church ceremony today

Henrik had long vented his frustration at not being the social equal of his wife or their son in line to become Denmark's king. His is pictured at the New Year's Diplomatic Reception, Christiansborg Palace, Copenhagen in 2015

Henrik with  Margrethe in 2012

Henrik had long vented his frustration at not being the social equal of his wife or their son in line to become Denmark’s king. He is pictured (left) at the New Year’s Diplomatic Reception, Christiansborg Palace, Copenhagen in 2015 and (right) with  his wife Margrethe in 2012

Henrik said in August that he did not wish to be buried next to the queen, breaking a 459-year-old tradition. Shortly afterwards, the palace issued a statement saying that he had dementia. 

The queen, Prime Minister Lars Lokke Rasmussen, France’s ambassador to Denmark and some 60 other guests were among those at the simple church ceremony today.  

Henrik died in his sleep last week. It was afterwards announced that the palace would respect his wish not to be buried in a tomb in Roskilde Cathedral prepared for him and Margrethe, who he said had never acknowledged him as her equal.

Instead, Henrik’s body will be cremated and half of the ashes scattered in Danish waters and half buried in the garden of Fredensborg Castle, north of Copenhagen, where he died.

The Queen (top right) was supported by members of her family at the funeral. Pictured in the back row are her twin grandchildren Princess Josephine and Prince Vincent alongside Princess Isabella and Prince Christian. In the front row, she is seen sitting next to  his wife Princess Marie and  Crown Prince Frederik and his wife Crown Princess Mary

The Queen (top right) was supported by members of her family at the funeral. Pictured in the back row are her twin grandchildren Princess Josephine and Prince Vincent alongside Princess Isabella and Prince Christian. In the front row, she is seen sitting next to Prince Joachim and his wife Princess Marie as well as  Crown Prince Frederik and his wife Crown Princess Mary

Military officers carry away Henrik's coffin, draped in a Danish flag with his personal coat of arms. Large crowds gathered to say farewell to the Prince

Military officers carry away Henrik’s coffin, draped in a Danish flag with his personal coat of arms. Large crowds gathered to say farewell to the Prince

The Danish royal family (pictured attending Henrik's funeral today) has no political authority, but it is one of the world's oldest kingdoms and prides itself on stability. Last year, Henrik stunned Danes when he said he did not want to be buried next to Margrethe in keeping with tradition

The Danish royal family (pictured attending Henrik’s funeral today) has no political authority, but it is one of the world’s oldest kingdoms and prides itself on stability. Last year, Henrik stunned Danes when he said he did not want to be buried next to Margrethe in keeping with tradition

Danish Queen Margrethe (right) and her son Crown Prince Frederik attend the funeral service of Prince Consort Henrik of Denmark at Christiansborg Palace Church

Danish Queen Margrethe (right) and her son Crown Prince Frederik attend the funeral service of Prince Consort Henrik of Denmark at Christiansborg Palace Church

Some 20,000 had visited French-born Henrik's coffin in the past three days while he lay in state. Pictures show his coffin at Christiansborg Palace Church

Some 20,000 had visited French-born Henrik’s coffin in the past three days while he lay in state. Pictures show his coffin at Christiansborg Palace Church

Crown Princess Mary, the wife of Henrik's son Frederik is pictured arriving for the service in Copenhagen this morning along with her daughter Princess Isabella

Crown Princess Mary, the wife of Henrik’s son Frederik is pictured arriving for the service in Copenhagen this morning along with her daughter Princess Isabella

Princess Mary comforts one of her daughters as Henrik's grieving family stand outside the chapel this afternoon 

Princess Mary comforts one of her daughters as Henrik’s grieving family stand outside the chapel this afternoon 

Henrik had long vented his frustration at not being the social equal of his wife or their son Frederik (pictured at the service today) who is in line to become Denmark's king

Henrik had long vented his frustration at not being the social equal of his wife or their son Frederik (pictured at the service today) who is in line to become Denmark’s king

Some 20,000 had visited French-born Henrik’s coffin in the past three days while he lay in state.  

As in most monarchies, a Danish princess becomes queen when her husband takes the throne, but a man does not become king through being married to a queen.

Prince Henrik died aged 83 last Tuesday at Fredensborg Palace, before his coffin was taken on a stately procession through the streets of northern Copenhagen to Amalienborg Palace. 

Although Henrik and the queen appeared to have a good marriage, the French-born prince had publicly vented his frustration at not being her social equal.

He was titled prince consort, the husband of a reigning queen but not a king, and he was not in the line of succession, his oldest son Crown Prince Frederik being the heir. 

The queen, Prime Minister Lars Lokke Rasmussen, France's ambassador to Denmark and some 60 other guests were among those at the simple church ceremony at the chapel of the Christiansborg Palace

The queen, Prime Minister Lars Lokke Rasmussen, France’s ambassador to Denmark and some 60 other guests were among those at the simple church ceremony at the chapel of the Christiansborg Palace

Palace officials said earlier that half of Henrik's ashes would be spread over Danish seas and the other half buried in the royal family's private garden at the Fredensborg Palace, where he died. His wife Queen Margrethe is pictured arriving at the private funeral

Palace officials said earlier that half of Henrik’s ashes would be spread over Danish seas and the other half buried in the royal family’s private garden at the Fredensborg Palace, where he died. His wife Queen Margrethe is pictured arriving at the private funeral

Henrik's wife Margrethe is pictured next to her elder son Crown Prince Frederik and his wife Crown Princess Mary. Also on the front row are Frederik's brother  Prince Joachim and his wife Princess Marie

Henrik’s wife Margrethe is pictured next to her elder son Crown Prince Frederik and his wife Crown Princess Mary. Also on the front row are Frederik’s brother Prince Joachim and his wife Princess Marie

Hundreds lined the street as the coffin of Prince Henrik was carried down the steps at Christiansborg Palace Chapel in Copenhagen today

Hundreds lined the street as the coffin of Prince Henrik was carried down the steps at Christiansborg Palace Chapel in Copenhagen today

Queen Margrethe fought back tears as she followed her husband's coffin out of Christiansborg Palace church after the service

Queen Margrethe fought back tears as she followed her husband’s coffin out of Christiansborg Palace church after the service

Princess Mary and husband Prince Frederik are pictured with children Prince Christian and Princess Isabella as the royal family arrived for the funeral today

Princess Mary and husband Prince Frederik are pictured with children Prince Christian and Princess Isabella as the royal family arrived for the funeral today

The royal family opted for a small private service in Copenhagen's grand Christiansborg Palace Church today

The royal family opted for a small private service in Copenhagen’s grand Christiansborg Palace Church today

In 2016, he renounced the title and spent much of his time at a chateau on a vineyard in southwestern France, although he remained married to the queen and officially still lived with her.

Born on June 11, 1934, in southwestern France to parents with the noble titles of count and countess, Henri Marie Jean Andre de Laborde de Monpezat married Denmark’s future queen in 1967.

Henri became Henrik and converted to Denmark’s state Lutheran Church. However, he found it difficult to fit in with Denmark’s egalitarian lifestyle.

Shortly after the royal marriage, media criticized Henrik because he had openly aired his views that spanking was good for children. In the mid-1980s, Henrik publicly said he wanted a paycheck instead of relying on the queen, who gets annual allowances.

The law was eventually changed to give him roughly 10 percent of the annual allocation Parliament makes to royals each year.

In a 2002 interview, Henrik again stunned Danes by saying he felt he had been pushed aside in his own home, not only by his wife but also by his son.

Henrik (left), who married Margrethe (right) in 1967, died on February 13 at the age of 83. He was diagnosed with dementia last year and was taken to hospital in January with a lung infection 

Henrik (left), who married Margrethe (right) in 1967, died on February 13 at the age of 83. He was diagnosed with dementia last year and was taken to hospital in January with a lung infection 

Prince Henrik, the French-born husband of Danish monarch Queen Margrethe, died at the age of 83. The couple are pictured with their children Joachim and Frederik in 1970

Prince Henrik, the French-born husband of Danish monarch Queen Margrethe, died at the age of 83. The couple are pictured with their children Joachim and Frederik in 1970

Prince Frederik and Princess Mary (pictured together in 2013) will become King and Queen of Denmark at the time of Queen Margrethe's abdication or death

Prince Frederik and Princess Mary (pictured together in 2013) will become King and Queen of Denmark at the time of Queen Margrethe’s abdication or death

Queen Margrethe of Denmark is pictured with Henrik at the Anglo-Danish Society's Jubilee dinner and dance at the Royal Garden Hotel in 1974

Henrik is pictured with Frederik in 1968

Queen Margrethe of Denmark is pictured, left, with Henrik at the Anglo-Danish Society’s Jubilee dinner and dance at the Royal Garden Hotel, London in 1974. Right: Henrik with son Frederik in 1968

This followed the annual royal New Year’s reception for foreign diplomats, where Frederik had been host because his mother was unavailable due to a broken rib.

‘For many years I have been No. 2,’ Henrik told Danish tabloid B.T. ‘I have been satisfied with that role, but after so many years in Denmark I don’t suddenly want to become number three and become some kind of wearisome attachment.’

Teased for his French accent and unable to understand why protocol required him to remain in his wife’s shadow, Henrik never really found his place in Denmark.

‘A lot of people think I’m a loser until I prove them wrong,’ he once said.

It wasn’t until 1997 that he stood in for his wife at a public engagement for the first time.

‘People are just used to considering Prince Henrik as … a little dog that follows behind and gets a sugar cube once in a while,’ he said.

In 2002, he made headlines when he fled to his chateau in southern France to ‘reflect on life’, complaining he didn’t receive enough respect in Denmark after his son, Crown Prince Frederik, was chosen to represent the queen at a New Year’s ceremony instead of him.

He said he felt ‘pushed aside, degraded and humiliated’.

‘My self-respect is destroyed’.

Among the invited guests were the former king of Greece, Constantine II, and his wife Anne Marie

Among the invited guests were the former king of Greece, Constantine II, and his wife Anne Marie

Princess Benedikte, the younger sister of Denmark's Queen Margrethe was also among those attending the funeral today

Princess Benedikte, the younger sister of Denmark’s Queen Margrethe was also among those attending the funeral today

Speculation has mounted since early last year that Prince Frederik's mother, Queen Margrethe II, will abdicate the throne. If she were to, Crown Prince Frederik, 49, is next in line - which would leave Crown Princess Mary, 46, as queen consort. She is pictured with children Isabella, Vincent and Josephine

Speculation has mounted since early last year that Prince Frederik’s mother, Queen Margrethe II, will abdicate the throne. If she were to, Crown Prince Frederik, 49, is next in line – which would leave Crown Princess Mary, 46, as queen consort. She is pictured with children Isabella, Vincent and Josephine

In 2002, Henrik made headlines when he fled to his chateau in southern France to 'reflect on life', complaining he didn't receive enough respect in Denmark after his son, Crown Prince Frederik, was chosen to represent the queen at a New Year's ceremony instead of him. Frederik is pictured arriving at Henrik's funeral today with his family 

In 2002, Henrik made headlines when he fled to his chateau in southern France to ‘reflect on life’, complaining he didn’t receive enough respect in Denmark after his son, Crown Prince Frederik, was chosen to represent the queen at a New Year’s ceremony instead of him. Frederik is pictured arriving at Henrik’s funeral today with his family 

By the time Margrethe ascended the throne in 1972, the couple had two young children: Prince Frederik, born in 1968, and Joachim (centre, today), born in 1969

By the time Margrethe ascended the throne in 1972, the couple had two young children: Prince Frederik, born in 1968, and Joachim (centre, today), born in 1969

Queen Margrethe was seen wiping away tears as she said farewell to her husband Henrik at the service today. She was comforted by her son Frederik (centre) and his wife Mary

Queen Margrethe was seen wiping away tears as she said farewell to her husband Henrik at the service today. She was comforted by her son Frederik (centre) and his wife Mary

The grieving royal family declared a month of mourning after Henrik died 'peacefully in his sleep' at Fredensborg Castle, north of Copenhagen last week

The grieving royal family declared a month of mourning after Henrik died ‘peacefully in his sleep’ at Fredensborg Castle, north of Copenhagen last week

Henrik died at 11.18pm on February 13 in his sleep with Queen Margrethe of Denmark, and their children, Crown Prince Frederik of Denmark, 49, and Prince Joachim of Denmark, 48 at his side. Frederik is pictured with wife Princess Mary  outside Christiansborg Palace today

Henrik died at 11.18pm on February 13 in his sleep with Queen Margrethe of Denmark, and their children, Crown Prince Frederik of Denmark, 49, and Prince Joachim of Denmark, 48 at his side. Frederik is pictured with wife Princess Mary  outside Christiansborg Palace today

Some politicians dubbed Henrik’s behaviour ‘tiresome’, while media had a field day, one television show conferring on him the title of ‘Whiner of the Year’.

But it also marked a turning point, as Danes saw a more vulnerable side of Henrik and slowly started to warm to him.

Over time, his contrarian streak and flamboyance helped earn him cult status among young people.

In 2013, he collaborated with Danish pop group Michael Learns To Rock, playing the piano on a track recorded for the king of Thailand.

Months later he was photographed strolling with friends in the self-governed Copenhagen hippie community of Christiania, known for its cannabis trade, and in June 2014 he dressed up in a panda costume at a charity event.

In April 2015 he controversially cancelled his appearance at Margrethe’s 75th birthday celebrations for ill health, only to resurface in a tourist-packed square in Venice less than two days later.

The tabloids were outraged, but fans saw it as the kind of erratic behaviour they had come to love him for.

On Twitter, a popular radio show host wrote: ‘Words cannot describe how much I love Henrik!’

 



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