The Royal Family has often appeared to regard its continental counterparts with a degree of condescension.
European royals regularly travel to Britain for major occasions, including royal weddings, yet the gesture has not always been returned. More often than not, it has been Prince Edward who was sent to represent the monarchy at weddings abroad, rather than the sovereign or even the heir to the throne.
Scandinavia’s so-called “bicycling monarchies” have also frequently been mocked when compared with Britain’s “proper” monarchy, complete with horse-drawn carriages, multiple palaces and seemingly limitless pomp.
Yet while researching the latest edition of my YouTube show, Eden’s Royals, I was struck by how much King Charles could learn from some of Europe’s other royal houses.
This week’s programme focused on Denmark’s royal family, which shares many similarities with Britain’s. Queen Elizabeth II reigned for a record 70 years, while her third cousin, Queen Margrethe II of Denmark, was an equally respected monarch who remained on the throne for 52 years.
But unlike Queen Elizabeth, Margrethe did not reign until her death. On New Year’s Eve in 2023, at the age of 83, she announced in a televised address that she would abdicate. It was the first voluntary abdication by a Danish sovereign in almost 900 years, making way for a younger generation and shocking many because Margrethe had long maintained that the role was a lifelong commitment.
Before stepping down in favour of her elder son, the 58-year-old King Frederik X, who is married to the Australian-born Queen Mary, 54, Margrethe had taken another significant decision—one that caused considerable distress within her family.
In September 2022, she announced that the children of her younger son, Prince Joachim, would lose their prince and princess titles from the following year. The decision affected four grandchildren: Prince Nikolai, Prince Felix, Prince Henrik and Princess Athena.
King Charles should follow the example of his Danish counterpart and take action that would undoubtedly upset his younger son but benefit the monarchy and the country, writes Richard Eden
Harry and Meghan have not only been allowed to retain their titles, but their children are still known as Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet
The children would retain the titles of count and countess of Monpezat, but they would be addressed as “excellencies” rather than “majesties”.
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Margrethe said her aim was 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”.
Prince Joachim, who had not been involved in any major controversies, reacted angrily.
“We are all very sad,” he said publicly. “It’s never fun to see your children being mistreated like that. They themselves find themselves in a situation they do not understand.” His son Nikolai, then 23, said he was “in shock” and “very confused as to why it has to happen like this”.
Despite the backlash, Margrethe remained determined to implement the changes for the sake of the institution. “It is my duty and my desire as Queen to ensure that the monarchy always shapes itself in keeping with the times,” she said. “Sometimes, this means that difficult decisions must be made, and it will always be difficult to find the right moment.”
Margrethe’s willingness to act stands in sharp contrast to King Charles’s failure to take similar steps concerning his younger son.
Before abdicating, Queen Margrethe II of Denmark took a decision that caused deep upset within her family
Unlike Prince Joachim, Prince Harry has stepped away from public duties, repeatedly criticised his family and undermined the monarchy. Nevertheless, he and his wife have been allowed to retain the Duke and Duchess of Sussex titles bestowed on them by Queen Elizabeth when they were working royals.
Harry has also remained a Counsellor of State, a position that legally allows him, at least in theory, to stand in for the King. Rather than remove him from the role, Charles increased the number of Counsellors of State to include his brother and sister, Princess Anne and Prince Edward, making it less likely that Harry would be called upon.
Harry and Meghan have not only kept their titles; their children also remain Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet.
All this is a huge boost to the Sussexes as they try to claw back the automatic, 24-hour police protection which they lost when they moved overseas. After all, why would the Government want to deny them of something they so desperately want when the King allows them to keep all their perks?
It’s time for the King to follow the example of his Danish counterpart and take action which will undoubtedly upset his younger son but will benefit the monarchy and the country.