King Frederik of Denmark marked his 57th birthday this week with a meaningful gesture toward his nephews, Count Nikolai and Count Felix. On Monday, during a family gathering at Frederik VIII’s Palace in Copenhagen, the King awarded the brothers the Grand Cross of the Order of the Dannebrog.
This honor comes two years after their grandmother, Queen Margrethe, stripped them and two other cousins of their royal titles. Despite losing the titles of Prince and Princess as well as the style of His/Her Highness in early 2023, the four grandchildren of Queen Margrethe remain in the line of succession to the Danish throne.
King Frederik’s eldest son, Crown Prince Christian, was not present at the celebration due to his ongoing military training. The rest of the royal family joined the King for a lunch to mark the special day.
According to the Danish royal household, receiving the Grand Cross means that Count Nikolai and Count Felix will now have personal knight’s shields made. These shields will be displayed in the Knight’s Chapel at Frederiksborg Castle in Hillerød.
Nikolai and Felix are the sons of Prince Joachim, King Frederik’s younger brother. Joachim and his wife, Princess Marie, moved to Washington in 2023 after Prince Joachim took a new position at the Danish Embassy linked to the Ministry of Defence.
This award signals the King’s support and recognition of his nephews despite the changes to their royal status.
