Princes Nikolai, Felix, Henrik & Princess Athena, News Part 2: July 2018 - 2022

[Countessmeout]

I don't think any royal son should be expected to join the military. Unless they are from a country where military service is mandatory.

And if we are going to expect royal princes to serve, then it should be gender neutral. We should expect Athena to serve just as much as her brothers.

Belgium has a good idea with Elisabeth. Not actually doing full military training but doing a year at the academy to get some education in it before university.

Unless they have an infinity for serving in the military it shouldn't be required.

Hopefully this is indeed something Felix is interested in. Not just family expectation.

[Heavs]

I agree that royal families should widen the scope of "suitable/expected" careers for spare sons and for the most part I think they are or will be in the future.

However the issue with Nikolai and military training seems to be the expectations and pressure Joachim placed on it because of his own personality, beliefs and experiences, not the Danish Court itself. Thankfully he realised that it's ok if his son wants to follow a different path.

It will be interesting to see what happens with Athena and her female cousins though.

[Mbruno]

Originally Posted by Countessmeout

I don't think any royal son should be expected to join the military. Unless they are from a country where military service is mandatory.

And if we are going to expect royal princes to serve, then it should be gender neutral. We should expect Athena to serve just as much as her brothers.

Belgium has a good idea with Elisabeth. Not actually doing full military training but doing a year at the academy to get some education in it before university.

Unless they have an infinity for serving in the military it shouldn't be required.

Hopefully this is indeed something Felix is interested in. Not just family expectation.

There was an objective reason why the heir in particular was expected to have military training, namely that, at least formally, the King is still the commander in chief of the Armed Forces in several countries including Belgium, Norway, Spain and the United Kingdom. In the Netherlands, the supreme command of the Armed Forces is vested in the government, which consists of the King and the ministers meaning the King is a co-commander of the Forces.



In Sweden, the King no longer has a formal role as commander of the Armed Forces although the site of the Royal Court says that, as Head of State, the King "is the foremost representative of the Swedish defence establishment and holds supreme rank in each of the service arm."

[Muhler]

There is nothing to hinder Josephine, Isabella and Athena from signing up for volunteer conscription as many girls do. That's their right.
Service in the Guards Hussars and aboard Dannebrog is very sought after by girls.

Christian will be commander-in-chief. He is required to have a hands-on understanding of what military is all about.
And I think that is both proper and right.
Soldiers will go to war, fight and die in his name. The least Christian can do in return is to serve himself and understand the life of a soldier and the young people who are sent out in to serve. And I also think it would be disrespectful for the parents of the soldiers if Christian was not to serve.

We have conscription in this country. The Constitution require all able-bodied men to serve with their person if need be. I would personally not accept a conscientious objection to avoid military service for Christian or worse: because he doesn't feel like it.

As for the rest of them, what they decide is up to them. But it won't kill them and it will give them a personal victory and earn public respect. Even if they just do basic training, or sign up for the Home Guard or Civil Defense.

[polyesco]

Plus, I think Mary and Marie have set good examples with their involvements in the defence and emergency services (sorry I forget the official names of the branches)

[Muhler]

Originally Posted by polyesco

Plus, I think Mary and Marie have set good examples with their involvements in the defence and emergency services (sorry I forget the official names of the branches)

Army Home Guard and the Civil Defense.

Mary is captain a la suite.
Our Marie is first lieutenant a la suite.

[Duc_et_Pair]

Originally Posted by polyesco

Plus, I think Mary and Marie have set good examples with their involvements in the defence and emergency services (sorry I forget the official names of the branches)

It is a honorary involvement. Neither the Australian Mary nor the French Marie have had active military service, certainly not sufficient enough to reach the officer ranks of a Captain respectively a Lieutenant.

[Nordic]

Originally Posted by Duc_et_Pair

It is a honorary involvement. Neither the Australian Mary nor the French Marie have had active military service, certainly not sufficient enough to reach the officer ranks of a Captain respectively a Lieutenant.

So what.

They are involved, have been for a long time, and have done training and the courses they can.

"Australian" Mary has lived in Denmark for 18 years now, "French" Marie for some 13 (?) years.
Both consider Denmark their home. I think Mary said somewhere that she considers herself to be Danish of Australian descend. (Scottish - but that's my addition).

[maria-olivia]

Princess Mary wore an Evening Uniform Dress at a Gala event i

[polyesco]

New picture for Nikolai's 21st birthday
https://www.instagram.com/p/CEa6G-dg..._web_copy_link

[CyrilVladisla]

Do you think that Prince Nikolai's Uncle Frederik and Aunt Mary will hold a birthday party for him?

[Mbruno]

Originally Posted by Countessmeout

I don't think any royal son should be expected to join the military. Unless they are from a country where military service is mandatory.

And if we are going to expect royal princes to serve, then it should be gender neutral. We should expect Athena to serve just as much as her brothers.

Belgium has a good idea with Elisabeth. Not actually doing full military training but doing a year at the academy to get some education in it before university.

For Felix, who is currently 8th in line to the throne, it is basically a choice. Clearly he is not required to do it if he doesn't want to.

[polyesco]

Another 21st photo of Nikolai
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EggW35IU...jpg&name=small

And one with Felix
https://www.instagram.com/p/CEb4cmrH..._web_copy_link

[Somebody]

Originally Posted by CyrilVladisla

Do you think that Prince Nikolai's Uncle Frederik and Aunt Mary will hold a birthday party for him?

Why would they? He had a large birthday party organized by his grandparents (it seems) at the Dannebrog for his 18th birthday. Felix only had a small family gathering in France (without Covid, he probably would have a bigger party was the larger family as well).

Assuming the regulations in Denmark don't promote large parties, I see little reason why Nikolai needs another party thrown by family members 3 years after he got his family party when reaching the age of majority...

[Somebody]

Originally Posted by Mbruno

For Felix, who is currently 8th in line to the throne, it is basically a choice. Clearly he is not required to do it if he doesn't want to.

I don't think it felt as a choice for Nikolai. Given how soon he quit, it seems he really felt that he HAD TO do it - but probably more because of his father's expectations than because it was expected of him as prince of Denmark (by his grandmother).

[Muhler]

Originally Posted by CyrilVladisla

Do you think that Prince Nikolai's Uncle Frederik and Aunt Mary will hold a birthday party for him?

This year or in the future?

The short answer to both IMO would be no.

There is no reason for M&F to throw him a party to begin with, just being uncle and aunt.
And when they become the regent couple, I see no reason to give him a party either. Simply because he is not a working member of the DRF.
I don't even think they would throw Joachim a party when he turns 75 or 80.

[HereditaryPrincess]

Nikolai has striking green eyes! I can't believe he's 21 already.

[Muhler]

Henrik & Athena have started in school this week.

Due to Corona they have now been away from school for six months.

Various local restrictions are implemented in the schools.

[eya]

Prins Nikolai got a 21st birthday celebration hosted by his mother Countess Alexandra in their home in Charlottenlund. It was a garden party and close friends and family we’re invited

https://www.seoghoer.dk/kongelige/pr...vefest-hos-mor

[polyesco]

Sporty day for Nikolai, playing soccer with his team
https://herognu.dk/se-billederne-pri...rer-paa-banen/