Prince Joachim of Denmark and his wife, Princess Marie, have settled in Washington, D.C. with their two children after a significant change in their lives. In 2023, Joachim and Marie moved from France to the U.S. after Queen Margrethe’s decision to strip Joachim’s four children of their royal titles in what she described as “future-proofing” the monarchy. This move shocked the Danish royal family and sparked a public outcry, especially from Joachim, who criticized the decision.
In a rare personal interview, Prince Joachim addressed his family’s future, acknowledging the uncertainty that comes with the decision to live abroad. “We have a desire to come home,” Joachim said, “but we also do not rule out the possibility of staying abroad. For now, it is on our radar, and when my post here ends, we will return home.” Joachim is currently serving a three-year role as an attaché at the Danish Embassy under the Ministry of Defense, covering the U.S. and Canada. This position may extend beyond its initial term, which concludes in 2026.
Despite the challenges of living far from Denmark, Prince Joachim spoke warmly of his family’s life in the U.S. “The kids are at school, where they enjoy being challenged and are growing their social circles, and I have my job,” he shared. “We make sure to spend time together as a family, and that doesn’t always get in the way of school and work.” However, he acknowledged the emotional pull of Denmark. “We can all feel it, and the kids especially feel that at home in Denmark is where we have our largest social base,” he said. “We take our time when we are home and enjoy it to the fullest.”
Joachim’s family life has been deeply impacted by his mother Queen Margrethe’s decision to remove the royal titles from his children. In 2022, the Queen announced that her four grandchildren—Nikolai, Felix, Henrik, and Athena—would no longer carry the “prince” or “princess” titles and would instead be known as Count or Countess of Monpezat. This decision caused a significant rift within the family, as Joachim expressed his frustration over being blindsided and seeing his children hurt by the change. Queen Margrethe later apologized for underestimating the emotional impact of her decision, though she stood by the reasoning that it was necessary for the future of the monarchy.
Despite the controversy, Joachim has emphasized that his family has moved on from the tension. “We’ve pushed past it,” he told The Washington Post, signaling that, while the issue was difficult, they have worked through the challenges together. The royal family also appears to be slowly mending, as King Frederik recently awarded his nephews, Nikolai and Felix, the Grand Cross of the Order of the Dannebrog, recognizing their contributions and achievements. This honor symbolizes a step toward healing the family dynamics and affirming their place within the Danish royal structure.
As the family adjusts to their life in the U.S., they remain deeply connected to Denmark, but also committed to their new roles abroad. Prince Joachim’s reflections on the future reveal a family that is navigating complex emotions and evolving traditions while staying rooted in the royal legacy, even as they adapt to a new chapter in their lives.
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