Prince Henrik Diagnosed with Dementia: September 2017 & Further Health Issues

[Duke of Marmalade]

When my father died of cancer a few years ago, the doctor told us, that when a person nears the end it is impossible for the doctors to say how much time is left. It could be hours, days or weeks, sometimes months.

If the Royal Family has gotten a similar message from Prince Henrik’s doctors, it makes sense that Frederik rushes home, while Henrik’s brother says it’s a matter of weeks and Margrethe stays at Fredensborg. It’s simply so unpredictable and you have to handle it, the way that feels right to you.

Exactly. When my father was terminally ill, I was living abroad and couldn't travel back and forth all the time. So basically I said goodbye and I told my mother and siblings, that I would only be back when he had passed to help with everything afterwards, and everybody was fine with that. Once I said goodbye, and it was clear that the end was near within days or a couple of weeks, I did not feel the need to be present when 'it' happened. It might be different for the spouse but I did not feel that way. In the end my father proved me right when he passed while my mother was out of the room for 10 minutes, he was fine with being on his own and not surrounded by distressed people.

My mother's first reaction was actually being angry, but only as long as the doctors explained to her that we need to respect decisions that we cannot control.

So, whatever the DRF members do or not do, be present or not, it's fine because each to their own. We all know that Henrik is a very much loved member of the family, and that is good enough.

By the way, regarding elderly siblings, even more so to respect that they are coming or not, because they might be in fragile health. For example, when my grandfather passed at the age of 90, his sister, already in very bad health, didn't know about it when she passed herself a few months later.

 

[Blog Real]

Here are pictures of princes Frederik and Mary and their children in the hospital:
https://ekstrabladet.dk/flash/konge...et-og-deres-boern-besoeger-syg-henrik/7034723

(..)

 

[Hans-Rickard]

Joachim, Marie, Nikolai, Felix, Henrik and Athena is visiting the hospital...

And The Queen's car has left Fredensborg Palace so she is likely also going to visit.

https://ekstrabladet.dk/flash/konge...og-prinsesse-marie-ankommer-til-riget/7034837

Prince Henriks brothers Etienne de Monpezat and Jean-Baptiste de Monpezat is also going to travel to Denmark according to extrabladet. Their sister has told Etienne after she visited the hospital that Henrik is very ill and his condition is worrying

https://ekstrabladet.dk/flash/konge...l-danmark-hans-tilstand-er-bekymrende/7034853

 

[Biri]

I wonder if, as a nun, Catherine of Monpezat doesn't regret that Henrik, having converted to Lutheranism, could not receive the sacraments from a Catholic priest at this particular crucial moment of his life.

I don't know if Henrik/Henri is particularly religious and that may seem irrelevant to most people, but I know for a fact that it matters a lot to certain Catholic (or ultra-Catholic) families.

Just for curiosity: how does it look like in Lutheran Church? (i.e. preparing for the eventual going Home).

 

[Osipi]

With watching this thread over the past few days, one thing is certain and that is that the DRF is a very close knit family that supports each other.

I have to admit that seeing the family going to the hospital yesterday en masse made me think that this was the time for Henrik to go Home and they all gathered to say their final farewell. Obviously, Henrik's health is still precarious but if anything will pull him through, its being surrounded by those that love him. It does make a difference.

My father almost lost his life to alcoholism in 1966 but miraculously pulled through and for the next 23 years his recovery was meant to be shared and there were many, many friends that my dad had sponsored in the AA program there when he was in his last hours. Wyevale's story rang home with me because at one time a bunch of us had gone to the cafeteria for coffee and sitting around listening to these people and the effect my dad had on their lives was astounding. One quipped "Patrick's taking his sweet time going Home. He's probably picking up a few stray souls on the way."

At first, I couldn't be at my dad's bedside until a priest that was a friend of the family looked me in the eye and said "Look at it this way, isn't this what we work towards from the moment we are born?" As many of us gathered around dad, we all recited the Lord's Prayer (which was the traditional closing for all AA meetings at the time). My dad, who had been in a coma for quite a while, actually joined in loudly on the final "Amen". This tells me that people, even in a coma, are aware of what is going on around them.

I was not at the hospital when my dad passed but he did say goodbye. The lights in the house flickered and then went off and I felt a chill. I got a message which was "Put on a pot of coffee, your mother is going to need it". This happened at the exact time my dad did pass. Things like this do happen when someone loved leaves. Its comforting.

Apologies for being a bit long winded here but, as we've seen, someone's passing from this earth can and does draw people together as its done for all of us here and our thoughts and prayers for Henrik and his family are expressed and in our own ways, we're keeping the vigil right alongside the DRF through this time.

 

[Frelinghighness]

Thank you for sharing your beautiful story and to,the others who have shared

 

[Duc_et_Pair]

Just for curiosity: how does it look like in Lutheran Church? (i.e. preparing for the eventual going Home).

Prince Henrik is raised Catholic, converted Lutheran, with apparently Buddhist tendences. Maybe the Prince does not wish conventional religious arrangements. There is not that much known about the Prince's religiosity.

 

[sophie25]

A bit off topic but what lovely names his brothers have. I hope PH departs this world in a spiritual state he finds peace with, I would not be a bit surprised if Luthernism isn't what he really believes in. It has always kind of shocked me the way some royals casually discard the religion they were raised in upon marriage and the conversions rarely look sincere IMO. I would never do it myself and I admire Queen Maxima for being true to herself that way.

 

[Biri]

Prince Henrik is raised Catholic, converted Lutheran, with apparently Buddhist tendences. Maybe the Prince does not wish conventional religious arrangements. There is not that much known about the Prince's religiosity.

But when he passes away - no matter when this happens - he will have a Christian funeral (maybe ecumenical one).

 

[xenobia]

But when he passes away - no matter when this happens - he will have a Christian funeral (maybe ecumenical one).

I don't see why he necessarily should have a christian funeral. We don't know what Henriks own personal wishes are, but I'm sure we will find out when the time comes. He might have asked for a private, secular funeral? No matter what, I'm sure his family will respect his wishes.

 

[Muhler]

Etienne de Monpezat is indeed on his way to DK:
https://www.bt.dk/royale/prins-henriks-bror-paa-vej-til-danmark-vi-er-i-sorg

On the phone he is quoted for saying to BT: "We are in mourning (Perhaps he really said: grief-stricken? or grieving?) and my brother is in danger. So I'm on my way to Denmark now".

Vi er i sorg, og min bror er i fare. Så jeg er på vej til Danmark nu,«

 

[Biri]

From what these speculations that Henrik is leaning to Buddhism? Has everyone saw him meditating in Buddhist temple?

 

[Osipi]

There is a huge difference between practicing one's beliefs and learning and embracing the philosophies of a different set of beliefs such as Buddhism.

Many people practice a certain dogma of faith yet embrace ideas and truths from others. This is what makes one's spirituality so unique and personal. ?

 

[Muhler]

From what these speculations that Henrik is leaning to Buddhism? Has everyone saw him meditating in Buddhist temple?

That comes from people who know him intimately or have portrayed him intimately.
I don't think you have to go to a temple, even though he must have visited many over the years, to have Buddhist sympathies so to speak.

In that sense I think he is very Danish. I.e. his religious belief is compounded.
I will guess that he is not particularly religious to begin with, but there are a number of things with Buddhism that appeals to him. - Perhaps reincarnation, perhaps the concept of karma, perhaps the concept of doing good and so on.
Then there are things about Christianity that appeals to him. I.e. perhaps the concept of an omnipotent deity in overall control or the concept of hell, or forgiveness and so on.
These bits and pieces combined then constitutes PH's personal religion.

Considering that he has rarely been seen, let alone staying for long in churches, and never been seen in Buddhist temple, at least here in DK I don't think he feels a need to observe specific religious rituals or go to a place of worship.

 

[Hans-Rickard]

But when he passes away - no matter when this happens - he will have a Christian funeral (maybe ecumenical one).

When Prince Henrik leaves us, he will most likely have a funeral according to the lutheran Church of Denmark (Folkekirken) . As he is born and raised as a catholic, there might be a catholic priest present as well.

At the funeral of Princess Lilian of Sweden in 2013, the priest of the anglican parish in Stockholm led the funeral together with the Chief Court Chaplain and a Court Chaplain from the Church of Sweden (Svenska Kyrkan). A nice way of showing respect both to the belief she was born and raised into as wel as the belief she was married in to.

 

[Iain]

A bit off topic but what lovely names his brothers have. I hope PH departs this world in a spiritual state he finds peace with, I would not be a bit surprised if Luthernism isn't what he really believes in. It has always kind of shocked me the way some royals casually discard the religion they were raised in upon marriage and the conversions rarely look sincere IMO. I would never do it myself and I admire Queen Maxima for being true to herself that way.

I have always felt that it is ridiculous expecting people to convert to another religion when they marry. Conversion should be through conviction and not because you are getting married. I think the Dutch do it right by not insisting on conversion upon marriage. A Dutch friend told me that Queen Maxima attends Mass every Sunday and is often accompanied by the King and their daughters. Similarly, Princess Marilene and her children also attend Mass every Sunday accompanied by Prince Maurits and Princess Christina sang in the choir of the Catholic church she attended in the Hague.

 

[Somebody]

I have always felt that it is ridiculous expecting people to convert to another religion when they marry. Conversion should be through conviction and not because you are getting married. I think the Dutch do it right by not insisting on conversion upon marriage. A Dutch friend told me that Queen Maxima attends Mass every Sunday and is often accompanied by the King and their daughters. Similarly, Princess Marilene and her children also attend Mass every Sunday accompanied by Prince Maurits and Princess Christina sang in the choir of the Catholic church she attended in the Hague.

I truly wonder whether Máxima attends mass every Sunday. Most catholic people don't. And Willem-Alexander said previously that he is religious but not that 'churched', so it goes against everything I've read so faf. Moreover, the king and queen promised to raise their children within the protestant faith, so occassional attendance of a catholic church is of course fine (and better than no church attendance at all) but the majority should be in a protestant church and as members of their local protestant church their faith instruction should take place there as well.

However, that's going rather off-topic. I do agree that conversion should be based on conviction although a shared faith in my opinion is an important aspect of marriage.

I truly hope that the family and prince are at peace at these trying times.

 

[Muhler]

QMII has cleared the calendar: https://www.bt.dk/royale/dronningen-rydder-kalenderen

She was to go to a hospice, of all places, tomorrow, but now she won't.

Her calendar is cleared until the 16th.

 

[kalnel]

I'm curious how the news about Prince Henrik is being covered in Denmark (and throughout Scandinavia). Are TV channels breaking in with updates whenever something happens? Is it the top news story? Is it something most Danes are interested in?

 

[Muhler]

I'm curious how the news about Prince Henrik is being covered in Denmark (and throughout Scandinavia). Are TV channels breaking in with updates whenever something happens? Is it the top news story? Is it something most Danes are interested in?

It's among the top stories in the papers, and there is a segment about the coming and goings of the DRF in every of the main news. i.e. noon, early evening, prime time and so on.
And the tabloids have a live update whenever there is activity. So yes, it is very well covered here in DK.

---------------------

I had a look at the DRF calendar. The school winter holiday has started, so there is hardly anything scheduled. Except for the cancelled visit to a hospice tomorrow by QMII. (The hospice is located in Herlev, which is just north of Copenhagen, so strictly speaking she wouldn't lose time, should she suddenly get a call from Rigshospitalet. But of course that's hardly the main reason for this cancellation.)
The next items on the agenda is on Friday, where Mary is to go to Lithuania. Unless PH could die any second, I don't think she will cancel that. It's an event that will take a few hours and Mary can be there and back the same day. She's probably flying in with an air force Challenger anyway. So IMO she would be unfortunate if PH should die while she's in Lithuania.
But QMII also has an event on Friday. She is attending a 10th anniversary of a theater. Something that can easily be cancelled - or taken over by another member of the DRF if need be.
The next item on the agenda for QMII is a public audience on the 19th. Frederik can easily stand in here as I doubt that will be cancelled.
Then on the 21st QMII is supposed to meet the retiring and the new regimental secretary for the Princess of Wales Royal Regiment. - That can be postponed as well, if need be. But it's basically nothing more than a hello and thank you and a cup of tea and a little small talk. All parties are IMO so professional that this need not be cancelled either, unless PH really is on the verge of dying any second at that point.
On the 23th she is to receive new ambassadors. Something she's likely to leave to Frederik.

 

[maria-olivia]

To the Moderator of the Royal Family of Denmark.
I don't know if Dement in English is the same as dement in french ? In French it as a mad, wild, tremendous person.
The Prince will not pass away because of his Diagnose with Dementia but from an ilness we don't know exactly how this happened so quickly.
Could you delete the word Dementia from his thread.
He was during 50 years Prince of Denmark, gave two Princes to Denmark, and Her Majesty's beloved husband.
Grateful thanks
Maria Olivia

 

[Hans-Rickard]

I'm curious how the news about Prince Henrik is being covered in Denmark (and throughout Scandinavia). Are TV channels breaking in with updates whenever something happens? Is it the top news story? Is it something most Danes are interested in?

It is not the top story here in Sweden but the swedish media is writing about it on a daily basis.

From what i've read in Norwegian media it is the same there. Not the top story but it is covered on a daily basis.

 

[An Ard Ri]

Yes it was on Euronews earlier today too!

Denmark's Prince Henrik's condition 'greatly worsened' | Euronews

 

[HereditaryPrincess]

Once the brain starts not to function the same way as before, a person's health starts deteriorating really fast. From many people who had Alzheimer's or Dementia, most died from other health problems, though these health problems are associated with the disease because the brain is weak and doesn't function correctly anymore. We can compare (just a reference of example) with AIDS, people don't exactly die from AIDS, but die from health problems associated with AIDS. The "main" disease is the trigger of health problems that come after.
I don't know if I explained well because english is not my mother tongue.

Yes, unfortunately it is true that this is the case; and reports had also said that his health is worsening which would indicate the visitors Henrik has been receiving lately. We're not getting off to good start of the year in the DRF. At least Henrik is having company during his days in the hospital. I'm sure that seeing the grandchildren will have made him smile during his times of hardship.

 

[Nordic]

I had a look at the DRF calendar. The school winter holiday has started, so there is hardly anything scheduled.

The next item on the agenda for QMII is a public audience on the 19th. Frederik can easily stand in here as I doubt that will be cancelled.
Then on the 21st QMII is supposed to meet the retiring and the new regimental secretary for the Princess of Wales Royal Regiment. - That can be postponed as well, if need be.

On the 23th she is to receive new ambassadors. Something she's likely to leave to Frederik.

Thursday next week the calendar is updated again, which means we only know whats happening for the next week or so.

 

[mydeardrsattler]

To the Moderator of the Royal Family of Denmark.
I don't know if Dement in English is the same as dement in french ? In French it as a mad, wild, tremendous person.
The Prince will not pass away because of his Diagnose with Dementia but from an ilness we don't know exactly how this happened so quickly.
Could you delete the word Dementia from his thread.
He was during 50 years Prince of Denmark, gave two Princes to Denmark, and Her Majesty's beloved husband.
Grateful thanks
Maria Olivia

Dementia is a type of brain disease that Henrik has been diagnosed with. Google translate suggests in French it's called démence? It may be wrong.

It's a medical term, it's not a description of him or his character.

 

[Muhler]

Dementia is a type of brain disease that Henrik has been diagnosed with. Google translate suggests in French it's called démence? It may be wrong.

It's a medical term, it's not a description of him or his character.

Congratulations on your first post.

Agree. This is an international board, where the common language happens to be English.
There will inevitably be words and expressions that even when translated will be offensive or have a totally different meaning in other languages.
That is unfortunate (and sometimes amusing), so we should look at things in perspective.

I don't think anyone here who use the words dement or dementia in connection with PH would even dream of being demeaning. On the contrary in fact. - Such people wouldn't last long here on TRF anyway.

Dementia is a word an international audience can understand and know what means. It's the context of the word that matters IMO.

Ekstra Bladet reports that PH's second surviving brother, Jean Baptiste, will also go to DK in the next days. His other brother, Etienne, seems to be underway, if not already here.

 

[gerry]

Congratulations on your first post.

Agree. This is an international board, where the common language happens to be English.
There will inevitably be words and expressions that even when translated will be offensive or have a totally different meaning in other languages.
That is unfortunate (and sometimes amusing), so we should look at things in perspective.

I don't think anyone here who use the words dement or dementia in connection with PH would even dream of being demeaning. On the contrary in fact. - Such people wouldn't last long here on TRF anyway.

Dementia is a word an international audience can understand and know what means. It's the context of the word that matters IMO.

Mange tak Muhler for your explanation, with which I totally agree. However, I can also see the point of the francophone poster (whose name I have unfortunately forgotten-mes excuses!) in that one hopes that the Prince's family is not driven to demence by intrusive journalists during this difficult time. I trust and hope that any news gathering is done respectfully and that the Danish Queen and her family understand the outside world's prayers are with them.

 

[O-H Anglophile]

To the Moderator of the Royal Family of Denmark.
I don't know if Dement in English is the same as dement in french ? In French it as a mad, wild, tremendous person.
The Prince will not pass away because of his Diagnose with Dementia but from an ilness we don't know exactly how this happened so quickly.
Could you delete the word Dementia from his thread.
He was during 50 years Prince of Denmark, gave two Princes to Denmark, and Her Majesty's beloved husband.
Grateful thanks
Maria Olivia

Dementia is a medical diagnosis. It does not mean mad or wild. It means a loss of cognitive brain function. It is not at all disrespectful if it is meant as a medically diagnosed condition. As explained by others earlier, dementia, or in Henrik's case actually Alzheimer's, can cause complications of other diseases- in this case a lung infection that sounds as though It has not responded to treatment.

 

[ROYAL NORWAY]

I'm curious how the news about Prince Henrik is being covered in Denmark (and throughout Scandinavia). Are TV channels breaking in with updates whenever something happens? Is it the top news story? Is it something most Danes are interested in?

The coverage in Norway:

On Friday:

Thanks to eya and Muhler!

The coverage of it in Norway:

The main story on TV2 News Channel. - They also have it as a breaking news story in the bottom of the TV screen.

They are now talking to their royal expert Kjell Arne Totland.

Also the main story on the NRK (Norway's public broadcasting company) and VG (one of Norway's two largest papers) websites.

On Saturday (yesterday):
Not that much, but TV2's royal expert Kjell Arne Totland (who has met PH many times) was live on TV2 News Channel and talked about it.
Also an article in VG about PH's funeral plans etc.

On Sunday (today):
Not much, but NRK and (especially) TV2 News Channel will go mental if something were to happen.