It’s a heartbreaking day for the Danish Royal Family as they announce the death of Prince Henrik of Denmark at the age of 83.
The beloved husband to Queen Margrethe and father to Prince Frederik and Prince Joachim had been unwell for quite some time.
The Palace announced the sad news in a statement that read: “His Royal Highness Prince Henrik died on Tuesday, February 13, at 23.18 quietly at Fredensborg Palace.”
“The Prince was surrounded by Her Majesty the Queen and their two sons.”
As the world mourns his death, we look back at his momentous life and celebrate a truly remarkable man.
Henrik was Princess Mary’s beloved father-in-law.
A man who adored his family.
Born in France on 11 June 1934, he was named Henri Marie Jean André de Laborde de Monpezat.
He famously married Denmark’s future Queen Margrethe in 1967.
Queen Margrethe married Prince Henrik
The royal couple pictured one of the last times together in public in August 2017, for their grandson Prince Nikolai’s 18th birthday.
The happy pair always knew how to have a good time. Pictured here at the 25th wedding anniversary of the King and Queen of Sweden, in 2001.
He retired from public service in 2016.
Last year, the palace confirmed he had been diagnosed with dementia.
Henrik was always very affectionate.
And exceptionally proud of his wife.
Throughout their marriage, the couple faced the issue of equality.
“My wife has decided that she would like to be Queen, and I’m very pleased with that,” he said.
Queen Margrethe addresses the press
“But as a person, she must know that if a man and a woman are married, then they are equal. My wife hasn’t shown me the respect an ordinary wife should show her spouse.”
His controversial 2017 comments helped unveil that he was suffering from dementia.
At the end of the day, Henrik was smitten with his queen.
Playing catch with a young Frederik.
The couple had two children, Crown Prince Frederik, 49, and Prince Joachim, 48.
How sweet!
He was a proud grandfather to eight grandchildren.
Cuddles with grandpa!
The royal duo in 1973.
Henrik was also an avid winemaker and poet.
Showing Princess Josephine the royal wave.
He just adored Mary.
At the time of his engagement to Queen Margrethe, on October 5 1966.
At young Fred’s christening back in 1968.
Leading the charge.
He was a man that lived to the beat of his own drum…
Henrik loves poetry, musing, “I see poetry as an opportunity for immersion in a superficial time dominated by news and entertainment that makes us rootless and restless.”
He lived an incredible life, RIP.
