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He must have been gratefull to the Danish Royal Family allowing the Castle of Cayx and his important collections of primitive art which most were sold at Bruun Rasmussen Auction House.
You are absolutely right.
While there is no doubt that PH at times wasn't treated as well as he deserved, by both the public and the press, he also lived a rich life that was beyond the wildest dreams of most.
As you point out, I think it's doubtful that PH, even if he had become a successful diplomat or pianist would have been able to buy and maintain a chateau in France.
Nor would he ever have met that many prominent people, royals, celebrities, statesmen and other very influential people.
Nor would he ever have seen so many things that even the extremely wealthy will never see, like the inside of royal palaces.
Nor would he have gone down in history. Because PH is now a part of Danish history, not least because he was such a colorful character.
If there is a Denmark in say 300 years, historians will study him and what will be the equivalent of documentaries will be shown about him.
And should the TRF exist in 300 years, there will be a thread about him. ?
So while he at times had a hard time in DK, it was also a life with many advantages and perks.
Right, this is a brief guide to the documentary.
It will be way too time consuming to go into details, so what I am going to do is to divide the docu into segments based on controversy and highlight particular episodes and moments where I suggest you pay particular attention to how PH acted and sounded.
01:10 - PH expressing his sadness and disappointment that he after 37 years wasn't accepted by a part in the population. (True, he wasn't.)
01:40 - What does it matter to them whether I'm Prince Henrik or king consort?
He wanted an identity and equality.
02:20 - Arrival and introduction to the Danish tribe.
05:55 - PH had not had and expected no problems adjusting from French to Danish culture.
08:40 - PH talks about how very sensitive and extremely shy he was as a teen.
09:10 - QMII didn't panic at all just because she at 26 or so hadn't been married, let alone had a boyfriend. In fact she had reconciled herself to the fact that she might never marry.
11:25 - PH's dad wasn't particular enthusiastic about the marriage. He advised his so to make sure he defined his future role clearly.
18:10 - The photo-op where QMII was hopping mad! She was
not keen on answering any questions! Sp PH took over answering questions about their stay at Cayx.
19:20 - PH acknowledged that his sons got a strict upbringing and that is out of love.
20:45 - It is very clear that PH upon the death of Frederik IX expected to be promoted to something akin to queen, arguing that certainly Frederik IX would never have accepted that Queen Ingrid had remained princess.
21:00 - Now, what is he going to do? What will be his role? What is his job? Asked directly by journalists. - Among other things help the export businesses.
22:35 - First press meeting as regent couple. PH explains that being prince consort is one of the most difficult jobs in the world. At this point he still got Danish lessons.
PH points out in the recording that having an accent is frowned upon. (There is a good deal of truth in that.)
22:25 - The DR1 royal specialist, the Poul Jørgensen himself, asks PH whether he misses having a real job(!!) PH answered that one in very diplomatic way. (Notice QMII.)
26:30 - This segment caused an uproar in DK! Frederik was not at all happy about riding, but no mercy, it's back on the horse! So did PH's thoughts about how to raise children. (I can still remember the controversy back then, also within my family. There was only one TV channel, so everyone had seen it.)
30:00 - PH fought for and won the right to get his own apanage, rather than having to ask his wife "for money to buy cigarettes." There was actually a good lot of public opposition to that initially. That changed however.
32:25 - QMII admits that of course there are discussion between her and PH (read: fight) from time to time, and that's not something that is everybody else's business.
PH was very physically active and thus managed to be fit and slim.
34:25 - Being asked about the fact that he will always be number two, in regards to his wife. He explains that the role of prince consort is not well-defined.
35:05 - Silver anniversary. Interviewed by the Poul Jørgensen. PH explains that he was initially received very warmly, but after a while there was criticism and it wasn't easy to deal with.
In the recording PH explains that the Danes expect people who settle in Denmark to assimilate completely and become Danish. (Which is absolutely correct. Tribal mentality.) PH was not happy/willing to abandon his roots.
37:00 - QMII admits that she wasn't the support for her husband (in the root regards) that she ought to have been and that it took a while, before it dawned upon her how difficult that was for him.
38:00 - In the recording PH talk about how (DK) brags about gender equality, while refusing to address the lack of gender equality at the very top. I.e. him. He was not equal to his wife.
38:40 - Frederik's speech at the anniversary that caused a sensation! His remark about: "It is said that you chastise the ones you love. Papa, we were never in doubt about your love for us."
39:00 - PH talks about how he feels that Danish parents are way too lenient with their children and bringing them up.
Frederik continues to talk about the harsh upbringing. When turning to mother they were comforted, but she didn't side with them.
40:00 - In another speech Frederik emphasize that PH was hard and demanding but also warm and loving. And he was present.
41:40 - QMII is basically asked how about making PH Regent Consort?
41:00 - The infamous New Year Court for the diplomatic corps where the Frederik as Regent accepts the well wishes on behalf of QMII. And where PH felt usurped by his son.
In the recording he felt that he, the husband of the Queen, was nothing. It was the son who received the well wishes.
Constitutionally speaking the Prince Consort has no role.
The public opinion was that Frederik was and should be "number one" in this context.
43:20 - PH ran off to Cayx. Followed by one of the most awkward press meetings in DRF history. Everything is a-okay, we are all so happy, hurrah, hurrah...
In the recording he is asked why he wanted to have a title equal to his wife. After all he has everything. Status, position. Is it the Frenchman within him speaking? No, no. it's the man speaking. Every man, most men, wants an identity, he is after all the one who is the head of the family. So being usurped by his son was the final straw in a string of humiliations in regards to his status.
He got no public sympathy!
QMII felt sympathy though and that there perhaps was certain degree of glee in the press. It was hard for all in the DRF, hinting that PH wasn't quite himself. I.e. He wasn't in balance with himself. And acknowledge that he is more sensitive than he appears.
47:40 - PH explains it was not that big a deal, blown a little out of proportions and admits he was very upset.
48:10 - PH the artist. The musician.
50:00 - The older and perhaps more laid back PH. And in that role, genuinely popular, even cult.
50:50 - Watch QMII's initial reaction.
51.10 - In the recording he talks about sensing that his abilities are not what they used to be and that he has problems with his memory.
51:20 - PH officially retires.
51:55 - Official announcement: Dementia.
53:40 - Recording: Reflections about dying. He was not afraid to die.
54:00 - PH is no more.
55:30 - PH regretted he did not put a lot more emphasis on learning Danish. (That is to speak Danish, but he certainly mastered all the nuances and subtleties, including the humor which is very much based on irony. However, his spoken Danish was pretty miserable.) And as he observed, it annoyed the Danes and was seen as an affront. He declared himself being 100 % Danish. France was his old country, but he felt 100 % Danish.
All this with QMII speech to her husband on his birthday, declaring that even if she knew what life they would have, she would without hesitation say yes (I do) to him again.
In the end PH mentions that the most important thing is his life, is his family.
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Stephanie Surruque was asked in a Q&A after the docu whether it would shown in French. And from what I could understand with my inadequate French, there are no immediate plans for that.
However, there is nothing to hinder that you mail DR1 and ask if they would add English subtitles to the docu: They have been known to listen to foreign requests.
I was touched by how sad the Duchess of Cambridge looked and I think she knocked it out of the ballpark with the choices of historical jewellery; it gave that image of continuity which is a plus for any monarchy.
