SUPPORT OUR JOURNALISM: Please consider donating to keep our website running and free for all - thank you!

Denmark

Queen Margrethe revokes all titles and medals of her Chamberlain

Her Majesty Queen Margrethe II of Denmark has decided to revoke all titles and medals of her former Chamberlain, Christian Kjær according to Danish media late last week. The Royal Court in Copenhagen confirmed the news to Danish “Ekstra Bladet”.

The Queen has revoked all his titles and medals because Kjær has been found guilty of driving down a traffic conductor in connection with a bicycle race in the city of Hørsholm in August 2018. When the case was before the court in February, Kjær’s defence attorney demanded acquittal on all points. The former Chamberlain got into a discussion with the traffic director in connection with a bicycle race. This ended with Kjær driving over him at low speed.

The former Chamberlain was sentenced to 30 days of conditional prison and a fine of 10,000 Danish crowns. In addition, he is not allowed to drive a car for the next 12 months. The Royal Court stated that they informed Kjær of the decision to revoke all titles and medals before the news was published in the media. Christian Kjær’s secretary remarked to the Danish press that he does not want to comment on the Queen’s decision.

Former Chamberlain Christian Kjær is best known in Denmark for being one of the late Prince Henrik’s best friends. Kjær is a wealthy Danish lawyer who has been a close friend of the Royal Family for many years. When he married his wife on his private island in 2005, Prince Henrik of Denmark was his best man.

The title of “Chamberlain” was formed the Medieval times related to a person with senior responsibility in the Royal Household. In the latest centuries, the position has usually been honoured upon a high-ranking member of the nobility, often a royal favourite. Queen Margrethe II of Denmark has also appointed female chamberlains. In 2012, there were 102 male chamberlains and nine female chamberlains in Denmark.

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.