Death and Funeral of Prince Henrik of Denmark: February 13 and 20, 2018

[maria-olivia]

General de Gaulle , President of France said to Henri de Montpezat when he left the Quai d' Orsay and the french Embassy in London for his Wedding to the Crown Princess of Denmark :
"Vous êtes le premier Français depuis Bernadotte à monter sur un trone scandinave et à devenir le Roi Consort du Danemark. ( le Figaro )

 

[dbarn67]

 

[Duc_et_Pair]

I am a little surprised that Henrik's wanted a private funeral, given his wishes to be called King Henrik.

[...]

In my opnion there is no link between the Prince's funerary wishes and his (on itself correct) observation that female spouses to monarchs are treated differently in terms of titulature, protocol and ceremonial.

Above all and everything Henrik was the Pater Familias and a man with an independent view and opinions. It did not surprise me in the least that he wanted a funeral in the bossom of what meant most for him: his family.

 

[Biri]

"More than yesterday, less than tomorrow - I love you, I love you, I love you"

For recollection - cute photos of the couple:

http://www.ppe-agency.com/500px/Apr2010/PPE100408103.jpg
http://www.ppe-agency.com/500px/Apr2010/PPE100408108.jpg
http://www.ppe-agency.com/500px/Apr2010/PPE100408101.jpg

This photo is also very sweet:

http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2018...ir_two_children_Prince-a-26_1518604951460.jpg

 

[carlota]

could someone explain the significance of the coffin being transported from fredensborg to amalienborg to christiansborg? i would have thought they'd just do one trip - maybe from fredensborg to christiansborg directly, rather than passing through amalienborg.

 

[Mbruno]

General de Gaulle , President of France said to Henri de Montpezat when he left the Quai d' Orsay and the french Embassy in London for his Wedding to the Crown Princess of Denmark :
"Vous êtes le premier Français depuis Bernadotte à monter sur un trone scandinave et à devenir le Roi Consort du Danemark. ( le Figaro )

De Gaulle also (allegedly) said: "Vive le Québec libre". He was a foolish man with Napoleonic leanings .

In my opnion there is no link between the Prince's funerary wishes and his (on itself correct) observation that female spouses to monarchs are treated differently in terms of titulature, protocol and ceremonial.

Above all and everything Henrik was the Pater Familias and a man with an independent view and opinions. It did not surprise me in the least that he wanted a funeral in the bossom of what meant most for him: his family.

Nevertheless, if he were a British prince, I bet his last wishes would have been overridden in favor of a public funeral. Diana, Princess of Wales, wasn't even a member of the RF anymore when she passed away and her family wanted a private funeral. Yet, the British government at the time demanded that she had a semi-state funeral to allow "the public to grieve" and the Queen, as a constitutional monarch, had to oblige.

 

[Muhler]

could someone explain the significance of the coffin being transported from fredensborg to amalienborg to christiansborg? i would have thought they'd just do one trip - maybe from fredensborg to christiansborg directly, rather than passing through amalienborg.

That's because PH did not want a state funeral. But he is nevertheless getting a discount version of a state funeral anyway. - That I think is very much QMII's will. And also that of the Danes in general.

So he has been transported to Amalienborg, so that when his casket is transported to Christiansborg tomorrow through the streets of Copenhagen it will be pretty elaborate.
The streets will be closed to cars. It takes place at 18.00 in order to disturb the ordinary traffic as little as possible.
I imagine his hearse will be escorted by the Guards Hussars and that various organizations will stand at various places along the route as well as ordinary Danes. There may be torches.
I don't think we will see the DRF walk behind the hearse, at least not all the way. I'm not sure QMII will be able to walk several kilometers anyway.
We shall see. - There will be some degree of splendor.

Nevertheless, if he were a British prince, I bet his last wishes would have been overridden in favor of a public funeral. Diana, Princess of Wales, wasn't even a member of the RF anymore when she passed away and her family wanted a private funeral. Yet, the British government at the time demanded that she had a semi-state funeral to allow "the public to grieve" and the Queen, as a constitutional monarch, had to oblige.

That I think is also what is happening here.
QMII is wise here IMO to override at least a part of PH's wishes. He will get one fairly short procession.

ADDED:
It's sweet to see how close Josephine and Athena are.

 

[Nico]

...

Anyway De Gaulle said to Henrik back in 1967 "make France proud of you", And he was indeed fiercely gallic in some aspects...

 

[Muhler]

The Church Ministry has decreed that all state churches in Denmark are to toll their bells at 11.00 Tuesday and for half an hour after the funeral ceremony.
At the same time the ministry has requested the bishops to encourage the priests in the various parishes to mention PH at a regular service or at a special service in connection with PH's funeral.
Alle kirkeklokker ringer i forbindelse med prins Henriks bisættelse - TV 2

- Here we need the assistance of FasterB to explain what all this means. You are our expert in church-matters. ?

(..)

 

[JR76]

Has the route been announced?

 

[dgtns]

i feel sad for queen marghrete, frederik in the same car witj his family, joachim with his family too...the queen sit alone in the car [emoji22]

Maybe QMll is in her own car so she can smoke?

 

[Muhler]

Maybe QMll is in her own car so she can smoke?

Perhaps. ?

I don't know how it is with funerals in your countries. In DK we have an ancient tradition called "gravøl" = grave-beer. Beforehand people actually got drunk in honor of the deceased. Nowadays it's coffee and pastry - and sometimes a schnapps.
Initially the mood is somber, but unless it's a sudden death where everyone are still in shock or worse a child, it's very common to begin to crack jokes about the deceased and tell funny anecdotes and have a good laugh.
That's especially common if the person had many friends and was a lively person, as PH was. If the mood ends up being merry, it's considered a good send off.
The aftermath of a funeral is very often a somber-merry event. It's very difficult to explain, you have to experience it.

That has also been evident here in the days after PH's death. There are many funny anecdotes about PH these days. And the first bad jokes about PH have also surfaced. - As indeed they did after the death of Queen Ingrid
It's a culture and psychology thing I guess.

My point is, I (and I think I speak for most Danes here that I know) won't get offended by the odd joke about PH or cheerful remark. We may drop one ourselves.
In fact I have restrained myself on that account while posting in this thread, because of this being an international forum with people from different cultures.

 

[O-H Anglophile]

While I understand someone not wanting a fuss made over them after their death, IMO a funeral is also for the grieving family and friends (or country.)

 

[polyesco]

video from the DRF of the family walking out to see the flowers. A very beautiful detail
https://www.instagram.com/p/BfORoGxnlpH/?taken-by=detdanskekongehus
Staff carrying his coffin inside Amalienborg
https://www.instagram.com/p/BfN-bzUnYIm/?taken-by=detdanskekongehus

It was very touching for Frederik and Joachim with families to walk out and see/read the offerings.

Frederik and Mary hand in hand, but love little Josephine and Athena go hand in hand too
https://images.scribblelive.com/2018/2/15/99b7e224-5f70-4b6e-b0ee-ab65327d8f74_800.jpg

and Frederik hand in hand with Isabella. Lovely father-daughter moment
https://bt.bmcdn.dk/media/cache/res...is-transported-from-fredensborg-castle-to.jpg

this picture, the Queen with Christian, what strength
https://bdk.bmcdn.dk/media/cache/re...enrik-er-dd---kisten-kres-til-amalienborg.jpg

another video

the Copenhagen soccer team will wear black armbands for tonight's game

https://twitter.com/x/status/963714880825167872

the honor guard today at noon
https://www.instagram.com/p/BdaHIHrnY7M/?taken-at=419477446

 

[Muhler]

Thanks, Polyesco.

At some point a man says to Mary that he has laid flowers here from Romania. Mary responds by thanking him.

I also heard the police officers and PET officers quietly requesting people to make room.


There is a funny anecdote, illustrating PH's keen sense of humor - and also the Danish humor, which PH actually understood in all it's nuances.

An Erik Waage was with his wife invited to Fredensborg Palace in 2013, because his foundation had donated a sum to WWF, for which PH was patron.
During the conversation they asked to PH's wine production and PH said the sale went pretty well, except in Denmark, where his wine was better known as Chateau de Foxpiss. (It was. In the beginning his wine wasn't something to write home about!)
He told that to some Chinese buyes, who didn't get the joke at all. Then PH added that they could call it Chateau de Dragonspiss in China. - And they ended up buying 80.000 bottles.

 

[crm2317]

Another lovely detail, Marie on the arm of each of her stepsons. Through sad times we glimpse some of the most heart warming images.

 

[sm1939]

Gosh the public and reports where allowed very close to the royal family , when they where looking st the flowers

 

[Muhler]

Surprise is a good security.

Details have emerged about the procession tomorrow.

A hearse will transport the coffin from Amalienborg directly to Christiansborg Palace Church. Behind the hearse the DRF will drive in cars, just like today.
The family will then follow the coffin inside the church. - No mentioning as to whether Joachim and Frederik will help carry the coffin.

 

[O-H Anglophile]

Perhaps. ?

I don't know how it is with funerals in your countries. In DK we have an ancient tradition called "gravøl" = grave-beer. Beforehand people actually got drunk in honor of the deceased. Nowadays it's coffee and pastry - and sometimes a schnapps.
Initially the mood is somber, but unless it's a sudden death where everyone are still in shock or worse a child, it's very common to begin to crack jokes about the deceased and tell funny anecdotes and have a good laugh.
That's especially common if the person had many friends and was a lively person, as PH was. If the mood ends up being merry, it's considered a good send off.
The aftermath of a funeral is very often a somber-merry event. It's very difficult to explain, you have to experience it.

That has also been evident here in the days after PH's death. There are many funny anecdotes about PH these days. And the first bad jokes about PH have also surfaced. - As indeed they did after the death of Queen Ingrid
It's a culture and psychology thing I guess.

My point is, I (and I think I speak for most Danes here that I know) won't get offended by the odd joke about PH or cheerful remark. We may drop one ourselves.
In fact I have restrained myself on that account while posting in this thread, because of this being an international forum with people from different cultures.

I totally understand what you are saying here--my family can be like this--after a family death we get together and tell stories to each other about our loved one. Sometimes they are silly stories and we'll laugh a lot. I think it helps to counterbalance the sadness.
I think your country seems to have a healthy perspective!

 

[Muhler]

There is a live blog on DR1 right now with Stéphanie Surrugue, who wrote a most interesting biography about PH. She is IMO one of the two journalists in DK who knew him the best.
She's answering questions from the readers about PH.

https://www.dr.dk/taet-paa/taet-paa-stphanie-surrugue-skrev-biografi-om-prins

She explains that he was full of surprises and very much down to earth privately and interesting in speaking with everyone.

He was very much aware of what people and the press thought of him and he was overjoyed when he one year was made "Dane of the Year".

He was aware that many ordinary Danes did like him, but he did feel unfairly treated by the press. He also wished to acknowledged for his work.

This is interesting, so I've decided to paste the entire text:
Kære Thomas, det er et spørgsmål, som jeg faktisk har tænkt en del over de seneste to døgn. Du har nemlig helt ret i, at Prins Henrik havde en buddhistisk livsanskuelse og bekendte sig langt mere til kinesisk moralfilosofi end til kristendommen. Og i dét lys tror jeg, at tanken om at lade sin aske blive spredt på havet ligger i forlængelse af det. Hans valg af at få sin urne nedsat på Fredensborg Slot er til gengæld snarere en måde at placere sig i hjertet af danmarkshistorien, selv om det ikke blev i Roskilde Domkirke. Altså, kan man næsten sige, en slags kompromis.



- It's about PH's personal beliefs.
"... You are very right that Prince Henrik had a Buddhist outlook on life and was far more into Chinese moral philosophy than Christian. And in that light I think he choice about letting his ashes being scattered at sea is an extension of that. His choice about having his urn buried at Fredensborg Palace is on the other hand rather a way of placing himself in heart of the Danish history, even though it wasn't in Roskilde Cathedral. That is, you might almost say, a kind of compromise".

If you have a question, try ask, in English. Just state that the answer will be translated. - And then copy paste the answer here and I'll translate it. - It's worth a try, right?

 

[Tatiana Maria]

Muhler, thank you for your interesting translations.

An obituary posted on the Danish Royal Website:

Prince Henrik of Denmark | The Danish Monarchy - Front Page

A number of his close friends have also commented on PH's death and they typically pretty frank, while praising him. - I think PH would have appreciated that frankness.
Here is one from Kjeld Hillingsøe, whom I have quoted several times in these threads.
https://www.bt.dk/underholdning/prins-henrik-ven-en-gang-imellem-slog-det-gnister

"In private Prince Henrik was temperamental, but also cozy, generous and happy/cheerful.
He had an excellent temper, so sometimes we collided so sparks went flying. But the next moment he was fine again. he was a good friend when he came in this house.
He was never pretentious, but he certainly spoke his mind. And then the most characteristic about him was that he had a very well-developed sense of humor.
If there was anything that interested the Prince he occupied himself with it. If something could be started/set in motion, he started it/put it in motion.
He was a free bird, who took the challenges there were underway.
He would have been an excellent ambassador for France in this country, so we are fortunate that we had the benefit of hims as a kind of ambassador for France in this country.
There was no doubt that loved the Queen dearly, no matter what he said about the king-issue. The two things were completely separate. There was an official side where he complained, but privately there were no changes".

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

Indeed a colorful man is no more.

And I will miss him to a considerable extent.

Just as often as I've wanted to hit him on the head with a shovel, just as often has he delighted me with his goofy humor, his flamboyant attire, his quirky ideas and art designs. Few people in their late 70's manage to become a cult-figure for the young, many of whom were also very much to the left of the political spectrum. PH managed that because he managed to often act out of the royal box. - Something Frederik has also managed.
Just as often as I have felt he embarrassed especially QMII, but also his sons, just as often have I wanted to slap him on the back for being wonderfully politically incorrect.
He has given me many a chuckle, and many a times he has made my eyes roll way back in the head. - Both things can be equally delightful, as you know... ?
Whatever he was, he was rarely boring.

PH was a man like most of us, with good sides and flaws as well.
But first and foremost he was a devoted farfar. And that is what I liked most about him.

I thoroughly enjoyed reading the obituary and all of the stories about Prince Henrik. He was an intriguing personage who led a riveting life. May he rest in peace.

French media are reporting the following statement has been released by French President Emmanuel Macron:

Born in Talence in France, a career diplomat, a travel lover, a connoisseur of the Far East, Henri de Monpezat, who became Prince Henrik of Denmark after his marriage to Queen Margrethe in 1967, had always been keen to promote long and unalterable friendship between France and Denmark, two nations whose alliance was never broken.

He made sure in particular that the French language remains employed at Court and remains taught in Denmark, especially at Le Lycée Français Prins Henrik, the largest French high school in Northern Europe, with 950 students.

He had published several collections of poems in French and Danish, including Cantabile (2000), illustrated by his wife, but also memories written with a smiling humor (Destin oblige, 1996), and even a cookbook. He watched lovingly over his vineyard of Château de Cayx.

President Macron and his wife Brigitte express their sincere condolences to Queen Margrethe II, to her sons Frederik and Joachim, to her grandchildren and to the people of Denmark.

Emmanuel Macron rend hommage au prince Henrik de Danemark
Macron: Henrik de Danemark a promu «l'amitié entre la France et le Danemark»

As a sidenote, is it true that Prince Henrik "made sure in particular that the French language remains employed at Court"?

 

[Muhler]

Muhler, thank you for your interesting translations.

As a sidenote, is it true that Prince Henrik "made sure in particular that the French language remains employed at Court"?

You are welcome. ?

Well, the Danish court has retained a lot of French expressions, terms and titles in French. Even uniforms and functions.
Let's say that PH made sure that wasn't changed on his watch!

But I doubt QMII would dream of changing all that either. Like me, I think she finds it charming with titles and terms that go back 250 years.

 

[dgtns]

"More than yesterday, less than tomorrow - I love you, I love you, I love you"

For recollection - cute photos of the couple:

http://www.ppe-agency.com/500px/Apr2010/PPE100408103.jpg
http://www.ppe-agency.com/500px/Apr2010/PPE100408108.jpg
http://www.ppe-agency.com/500px/Apr2010/PPE100408101.jpg

This photo is also very sweet:

http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2018...ir_two_children_Prince-a-26_1518604951460.jpg

Thank you for posting the pics of PH and QMll. He made her glow!

 

[An Ard Ri]

Prince Henrik's coffin leaves the Fredenborg Palace for the Amalienborg Palace you can faintly hear the clang of church bells in the background.

Floral tributes outside the Royal Palace.

 

[carlota]

Another lovely detail, Marie on the arm of each of her stepsons. Through sad times we glimpse some of the most heart warming images.

i spotted that detail too - it indeed shows how close marie is to nikolai and felix. marie seemed to have a particularly close relationship with henrik. i always found her closer to him than mary or alexandra, perhaps because of the fact they are both french. that definitely shows today, marie looks rather saddened / absent-minded throughout all the footage.

sweet detail of josephine and athena holding hands - these two are clearly very close, which is sweet to see.

overall, i am impressed the kids, even the very young ones, came to the events of the funeral. in many countries, kids (at least those of the ages of the twins or henrik and athena) would not be taken to funerals. they were all very well behaved.

 

[Muhler]

As a comment to what you remarked about Marie. Stephanie Surrugue answered a question about what Mary and Marie thought about PH.

Thea spørger:
Hvad tror du Mary og Marie synes om Prins Henrik?

Stéphanie Surrugue svarer:
Kære Thea, jeg tror de har oplevet et vist skæbnesfællesskab med ham, da de alle tre er kommet til det danske kongehus fra udlandet. Ingen tvivl om, at Prinsesse Marie og Prins Henrik har haft et ekstra bånd på grund af det franske sprog og den franske kultur - og hun har da også overtaget flere af sin svigerfars opgaver, bl.a. uddelingen af De Fransksprogede Ambassadørers Litteraturpris.

- Stephanie Surrugue answered that she belive they shared a common feeling of destiny with him. Being married into a foreign royal family. And that Marie and PH no doubt had an extra bond because of their shared French language and culture ...

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

She was also asked who of PH's sons resembled him the most.
She replied that Frederik has inherited PH's sensitivity, while Joachim has inherited PH's more rigid mindset.
But both are very fond of French and French culture.

 

[Frozen Royalist]

My condolences for the Danish Royal Family, I am sorry for their loss.

-Frozen Royalist

 

[HereditaryPrincess]

It was nice to see the family looking at the flowers members of the public had laid for Henrik (I used to have the same dressing up crown that was laid in the video), and I agree that the children were very well behaved. It was cute to see Athena pointing at the flowers in one of the photos.

I also loved the photos of Margrethe and Henrik that were posted a few pages back. They were very warm and give a totally different perspective of their relationship than the one portrayed in the media.

 

[mariazil]

Perhaps. ?

I don't know how it is with funerals in your countries. In DK we have an ancient tradition called "gravøl" = grave-beer. Beforehand people actually got drunk in honor of the deceased. Nowadays it's coffee and pastry - and sometimes a schnapps.
Initially the mood is somber, but unless it's a sudden death where everyone are still in shock or worse a child, it's very common to begin to crack jokes about the deceased and tell funny anecdotes and have a good laugh.
That's especially common if the person had many friends and was a lively person, as PH was. If the mood ends up being merry, it's considered a good send off.
The aftermath of a funeral is very often a somber-merry event. It's very difficult to explain, you have to experience it.

That has also been evident here in the days after PH's death. There are many funny anecdotes about PH these days. And the first bad jokes about PH have also surfaced. - As indeed they did after the death of Queen Ingrid
It's a culture and psychology thing I guess.

My point is, I (and I think I speak for most Danes here that I know) won't get offended by the odd joke about PH or cheerful remark. We may drop one ourselves.
In fact I have restrained myself on that account while posting in this thread, because of this being an international forum with people from different cultures.

Something similar in Greece, too. We do drink wine to honour the deceased and have a family (or maybe larger than family) gathering with lunch right after the funeral. Jokes and life anecdotes of the deceased make people smile and eventually laugh; very normal, very human IMO. We also have a saying in Greece, I translate: "There can be no funeral without laughter nor a wedding without tears".
I would like to express my sympathy to the DRF and the Danish people. I can understand very well why Queen Margrethe smiles in many pictures today: she married the love of her life and had a long and prosperous marriage life. Those two were a match made in heaven, they must have had the time of their lives. Not many people have been that fortunate and she is wise enough to acknowledge that. My deepest sympathy and respect go to her.

 

[MARG]

What really tickled my fancy is the number of homemade cards from children which just goes to show when you look at any royal events, etc. there is more than one view. They seemed to be saying goodbye the beloved grandpapa the royal children shared.