Prince Henrik Retiring from Official Duties as of January 1, 2016

[polyesco]

A small article where Joachim talked about Henrik retiring
Prins Joachim til BILLED-BLADET: Dronningen er dybt berørt | BILLED-BLADET

[Muhler]

Summary of articles in Billed Bladet #01, 2016.

Billed Bladet speculates, because that is basically what it is, that PH will spend considerably more time in France, where he has a number of relatives. Not to mention Chateau Cayx. (The Danish winter has never been his cup of tea anyway).
BB also speculates that he will now be able to find more time to be with his grandchildren. - (Since he has been semi-retired for a couple of years I don't think there will be that big a difference).

Joachim however has talked about his father's retirement when he at some point went outside on New Years Eve (*): "I honestly believe it's well-deserved. He is 81 and by then it's alright to retire a bit.
I have of course known about it for some time, because we have been talking about it within the family... and we all support his decision".

Joachim also comments on QMII fumbling a little with the sheets when she gave her New Year speech: "Yes, she's definitely been a bit nervous. It's after all something that affects her deeply, because my father has always been a big support for her. And that he will continue to be... behind the scenes. They have a good sparring-partnership and that doesn't stop. But it's really well-deserved that he can now cut down on his work a bit".

(*) He and our Marie, along with his four children celebrated New Years Eve with Henriette and Peter Steenstrup and Britt and Oscar Siesbye.

[Muhler]

The DRF has a tendency not to comment on personal issues and very rarely "allow" those close to the DRF to speak about personal issues.

But PH's retirement differs from that line. In fact quite a few of people very close to the DRF have commented about PH's retirement.

They include, apart from Joachim, Christian Kjær and in this article a former LiW and very close friend of the DRF, Camilla Carstenskiold (noble family).
All three mentioned here say pretty much the same thing and I cannot help wondering whether this is a deliberate PR-strategy. - That in itself is unusual IMO.

Dronning Margrethes hofdame: Derfor smed hun Henriks pensions-bombe i nytårstalen - Royale | www.bt.dk

Here is what Camilla Carstenskiold has to say in regards to QMII announcing PH's retirement in her New Year speech.

"Here she took the bull by the horns and said that that how it is. Otherwise you could speculate endlessly about why he isn't there or there. That always turns out bad. If it's more a fact that he can't cope anymore. Then that's it.
I think it matters to her that he does what suits him, if she knows that he really can't cope anymore. She herself is strong and fortunately have her two children, who can help if need be. Like at the New Year Court where the young stood beside her. So you can say there is a good continuity in the whole matter".

But QMII will not retire: "She's fond of much of what she is doing. She also finds it natural. She would not feel it a natural thing to bow out. It's not in her genes. I Holland they have a tradition for it, which there isn't here (in DK). That is very evident with the Prince Consort retiring".

[Soula]

PH hosting a hunt on Jan 14th

Her kan vi se prins Henrik tilbage på banen | BILLED-BLADET

[GracieGiraffe]

A few things come to mind here. Henrik has always seemed to me to be a "high maintenance' spouse. Normally when one of the spouses is high maintenance, it's the female, but not in this case. It's all Henrik.

I also think he'll be back as soon as he realizes that life in the Denmark and the Danish court will go on without him.

[RJC]

It really does seem to be about him being in control and doing the things he enjoys. Joachim or Frederik have shown they are quite capable of hosting hunts. I'm hoping he will prove me wrong by being there for QM in a supportive way as well at significant events.

[Duc_et_Pair]

Originally Posted by GracieGiraffe

A few things come to mind here. Henrik has always seemed to me to be a "high maintenance' spouse. Normally when one of the spouses is high maintenance, it's the female, but not in this case. It's all Henrik.

I also think he'll be back as soon as he realizes that life in the Denmark and the Danish court will go on without him.

Prince Henrik is not at all a high maintenance spouse. Come on. He is incomparable with his colleague Prince Bernhard of the Netherlands with his love for Ferrari and his wish that the chauffeur has always a bottle of Cuvée Louise Pommery Rosé available - on perfect temperature. Henrik's Dutch colleague would not hesistate to order the chaffeur to get the bottle if he is somewhere where -in his eyes- "inferior champagne" is served. The same counts for his favourite white wine: at Soestdijk Palace the white wine cellar was stuffed with Corton Charlemagne from Maison Louis Latour, the Prince's favourite Burgundy.

While Prince Henrik bought a neglected estate and turned it into a beautiful Château de Caÿx and a succesful vineyard, while he wrote poetry and music, was a maecenas to the arts and a faithful spouse to the Queen of Denmark as well a responsible and dutiful Pater Familias, his Dutch colleague bought yachts and speedboats to play in the Meditterranean, he had various affairs and extramarital children. These did cost a fortune as well since he bought for the mother and his youngest extramarital daughter a luxe appartment in the expensive 16th Arrondissement (Paris).

So Prince Henrik a "high maintenance spouse"... really... he was a model spouse, compared to many other royals, male or female!

[Lee-Z]

^^^^^^^^
i think there might be different definitions of "high maintenance" used in previous posts; if it means "costs a lot of money" (they way you talk about high maintenance of buildings" than indeed P.Bernhard seemed to be one of those

However following this definition Urban Dictionary: high maintenance
for high maintenance with regard to a person imo this is what applies to P.Henrik quite a lot (and much less to P.Bernhard)... it seems that it took a lot sometimes to make/keep P.Henrik happy and that didn't necessarily have to do with money

[Roslyn]

Yes, it might be a matter of definition. I've always thought "high maintenance" means "demanding and difficult to please" as much as, if not more, than "has expensive tastes and likes to spend a lot of money".

[GracieGiraffe]

Originally Posted by Lee-Z

^^^^^^^^
i think there might be different definitions of "high maintenance" used in previous posts; if it means "costs a lot of money" (they way you talk about high maintenance of buildings" than indeed P.Bernhard seemed to be one of those

However following this definition Urban Dictionary: high maintenance
for high maintenance with regard to a person imo this is what applies to P.Henrik quite a lot (and much less to P.Bernhard)... it seems that it took a lot sometimes to make/keep P.Henrik happy and that didn't necessarily have to do with money

Yes, I do mean difficult to please. I was not thinking money at all.

[Honeybees]

The bottom line, with respect to everyone but as much as we can speculate, we don't know the answers. I have no doubt that they will come out in time.

[Muhler]

Well, you may have a point in regards to PH being a high-cost spouse.

The Danish press is certainly keeping an eye on how doings these days. Very much in line with the feeling I get on the streets that PH was either:
A) Retired by QMII.
B) Or had another fit and retired himself. I.e. letting down QMII - again...

Because there simply is no precedent for officially retiring from the DRF unless it's very serious.

So the general sympathy for him is not that overwhelming.
- To quote an old colleague of mine: There is nothing that improves some people's health than being granted a disability pension.
PH better begin to show clear signs of being old and frail or senile within the next few months or the two above impressions will evolve into certainties.
If anyone is getting sympathy it's actually QMII.

Anyway, right now PH is in Naples, buying art for the collection.
Prins Henrik afsløret på Facebook: Her holder han ferie lige nu - Royale | www.bt.dk

[eya]

In the footsteps of Juan Carlos retired and happy to his life but i wonder it is healthy to do trips but not to accompany the Queen of her obligations

[Duke of Marmalade]

Originally Posted by Duc_et_Pair

So Prince Henrik a "high maintenance spouse"... really... he was a model spouse, compared to many other royals, male or female!

I agree with those who think that he is high maintenance and not a model spouse. Bernhard is from a different area, I don't think whatever he did can't be compared to today's standards.

The reason why I believe that Henrik is 'high maintenance' is simply because at times he violated his duty and let the Queen down, publicly.
It is not easy to be the male spouse of a female monarch, I have no doubt that Prince Philip would sign this, but even though he had his well known gaffes, he never refused his duty or let QEII down publicly.
Can anyone imagine Philip leaving to Germany or any other country and QEII travelling to this place, persuading him to come back?
Always having to appease him, acknowleding who he is etc etc how tiresome for Margrethe and the family.

Originally Posted by eya

In the footsteps of Juan Carlos retired and happy to his life but i wonder it is healthy to do trips but not to accompany the Queen of her obligations

Juan Carlos is not retired, he receives a salary but works for the crown, attending events on a regular basis. So does Queen Sofia.

[Nordic]

Originally Posted by Duke of Marmalade

Always having to appease him, acknowleding who he is etc etc how tiresome for Margrethe and the family.

It can't be easy for Crown Prince Frederik, the next in line, in a situation like this....

BTW, stupid question: Who is really nr. 2 in Denmark (not succession)? Prince Henrik or Crown Prince Frederik?

[eya]

Originally Posted by Duke of Marmalade

Juan Carlos is not retired, he receives a salary but works for the crown, attending events on a regular basis. So does Queen Sofia.

Thank you for the correction though I should mention the Dolce Vita of Juan Carlos after his retirement from the throne

[Hans-Rickard]

I think this is for the best for the danish royals, also for QMII herself. I have no doubts that she loves him very much and that he has been a fantastic support and advisor the her in private during all the years. We have to respect that. At the same time i suspect that she came to the realisation that her job will be less stressful without him and that they can have their time in private and thus she more or less retired him from the important events. Then she doesn't have to worry about him giving controversial interviews and doing the things they way he wants and not how it was planned. She also avoids a potential reprise of the 2002 situation where Henrik once again would be after Frederik in rank when she is not there or if she dies before Henrik. I don't think it was difficult to talk him into this.

Btw i was in Copenhagen over the new year weekend and ceöebrated with my danish friends there. On January 1 we watched the royals arrive to the nytårskur at Amalienborg. I asked them about This and they basically Said the same. They respect him for giving Denmark Frederik and Joachim and for making Margrethe happy but he is not popular among the danes and they will certanly not miss him.

[Muhler]

Originally Posted by Nordic

It can't be easy for Crown Prince Frederik, the next in line, in a situation like this....

BTW, stupid question: Who is really nr. 2 in Denmark (not succession)? Prince Henrik or Crown Prince Frederik?

That must be Frederik since PH has officially retired, unless PH makes an appearance at an official event...

- But then he's still married to the Monarch, so he must remain number two regardless... Oh, my head!!

You do know to ask hard questions, Nordic.

I don't think PH can be compared to Juan Carlos, he retired so to speak for the good of the country and not least the SRF. He did the honorable thing.

You might very well be right, Hans-Rickard.
I wonder if it has dawned on PH yet that he has been "retired out"?

But we shall certainly miss him here on TRF!
Apart from being such a colorful character, he has provided us with basis for endless speculations and discussions. This thread alone could go on for years!

[Nordic]

Originally Posted by Muhler

That must be Frederik since PH has officially retired, unless PH makes an appearance at an official event...

- But then he's still married to the Monarch, so he must remain number two regardless... Oh, my head!!

You do know to ask hard questions, Nordic.

Before the retirement then: Is the man/woman married to the regent always nr 2 or the one who is second in line (Frederik).

If QM is unable to attend the next new years banquet or some gala for an incoming state visit, who is hosting the event, PH or CPF?

[Duke of Marmalade]

Originally Posted by Muhler

I don't think PH can be compared to Juan Carlos, he retired so to speak for the good of the country and not least the SRF. He did the honorable thing.

I have a question in that respect - does PH still receive a salary, like Juan Carlos, and if so, do the Danes think that this ok although he doesnt work any longer?

But we shall certainly miss him here on TRF!
Apart from being such a colorful character, he has provided us with basis for endless speculations and discussions. This thread alone could go on for years!

I can't imagine that Henrik will vanish unter the radar, I think as soon as he starts living the sweet life the press will happily cover his activities.