Queen Margrethe of Denmark Strips 4 Grandchildren of Royal Titles, Explains the Reason Why

The children who this decision impacts are the kids of Prince Joachim, the second son of the Queen: Nikolai, 23, Felix, 20, Henrik, 13, and Athena, 10. The kids will instead be known by His Excellency Count of Monpezat or Her Excellency Countess of Monpezat. This decision takes effect on the first day of the new year.

“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,” the palace said in the statement.

This decision does not impact the line of succession and they are all currently seventh through tenth in the order.

The eldest children are the Prince’s kids with his first wife, Alexandra, Countess of Frederiksborg. The two younger children are his children with his second wife, Princess Marie.

Heir to the throne, Crown Prince Frederik and his wife, Crown Princess Mary, are not impacted by this new decision and their kids, Prince Christian, 16, Princess Isabella, 15, and 11-year-old twins Prince Vincent and Princess Josephine will be keeping their titles.

The British royal family has had several major title changes too.