Denmark mourns Prince Henrik
Denmark's Prince Henrik, husband of Queen Margrethe II, has died aged 83. French by birth, Prince Henrik is said to have been a great support to the queen although he resented the fact that he was not allowed the title of king consort. Danish media pay their last respects.
Adieu, beloved aesthete
Berlingske praises his positive impact on the Danish monarchy:
“Prince Henrik was an elegant Frenchman who made the rather mundane Danish bicycle monarchy more exciting and colourful. ... The success of a monarchy depends to a large extent on the persons who form part of it. In Denmark we have been blessed by over 40 years with a competent and popular queen. She, in turn, was lucky enough to find a soulmate at a decisive moment in her life. ... Prince Henrik was a creative and artistic soul. But when the spotlights were off he was a convivial and simple person. ... He was never one of the people, but he won the hearts of the people.”
Conqueror of the Danes' hearts
The Danes' fondness for the prince is understandable, Jyllands-Posten comments:
“Danish culture is deeply influenced by social democracy, and the Danes live together with their monarchy in a marriage of convenience. So it's not surprising that [Henrik's aristocratic style and artistic interests] met with a certain popular resistance. But over time the Danes learned to love Prince Henrik, and vice versa. ... His last years were overshadowed by his dementia and headline-grabbing remarks, such as when he said he didn't want to be buried beside the queen. However that doesn't change the fact that not just the royal family has lost a cherished member. ... Denmark has lost a man with a passion for art whose international flair ultimately won over the sceptical Danes and helped make this monarchy one of the most popular in Europe.”