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Denmark

Flags in Denmark fly at half-mast following the death of Queen Margrethe’s husband

Following the news of Prince Henrik’s death late last night, officials in Denmark have begun to mark his death. On Wednesday morning, the Danish Defence and the Danish Royal Lifeguard began to mark the sombre occasion. At 8:37 am local time, the first flags went up and then were taken down again so they stood at half-mast.

The first flag ceremony took place at Holmen Naval Base in Copenhagen, which is one of several naval stations of the Royal Danish Navy, complementing the two Danish naval bases in Frederikshavn and Korsør.

Holmen naval base in Copenhagen`s flagpole and salut battery where the ceremony took place. Photo: Jan Kronsell via Vikimedia Commons.

When the events took place at the royal castles around Denmark on Wednesday morning, the soldiers wore black bands of sorrow which were attached to the top of their left arm. Many people have already laid down flowers and have lit candles in honour of Prince Henrik at Amalienborg Castle in Copenhagen and at Fredensborg Castle where he died.

It was announced earlier today by the Royal Danish House that His Royal Highness Prince Henrik of Denmark died at the age of 83. The Royal Danish House said in a statement: “His Royal Highness Prince Henrik died on Tuesday, February 13, at. 23.18 peacefully in his sleep at Fredensborg Palace. The Prince was surrounded by Her Majesty The Queen and their two sons.”

Prince Henrik with his wife, Queen Margrethe II of Denmark. Photo: Holger Motzkau via Wikimedia Commons.

Prince Henrik of Denmark was born Henri Marie Jean André de Laborde de Monpezat in France. His family had spent many years in Vietnam but left the country following the defeat of the French in the First Indochina War.

Prior to his marriage with Margrethe, he worked in the diplomatic service. Henrik married Margrethe at the Church of Holmen on 10 June 1967 and became her consort when she succeeded her father, King Frederick IX, as monarch of Denmark on 14 January 1972.

 

About author

Senior Europe Correspondent Oskar Aanmoen has a master in military and political history of the Nordic countries. He has written six books on historical subjects and more than 1.500 articles for Royal Central. He has also interview both Serbian and Norwegian royals. Aanmoen is based in Oslo, Norway.