Denmark’s ‘missing’ prince back on royal duty

Although Prince Joachim of Denmark now spends the majority of his time abroad, he is back in Denmark carrying out official duties. 

Prince Joachim attended the New Year’s Gala on 1 January, the first of his elder brother’s reign. He has remained in Denmark this week for engagements. 

In his role as Patron of Denmark’s Veterans, His Royal Highness met with National Chairman former Brigadier General Carsten Rasmussen. 

At the meeting at Amalienborg Palace, Prince Joachim learned about the support and programmes that the association focused on in 2024 for veterans, as well as the plans for 2025. 

Danmarks Veteraner provides support to military veterans and their families, offering needed services to vulnerable veterans. The organisation also runs a 24 hour call line for veterans. 

Prince Joachim enlisted in the Queen’s Life Regiment in 1987 and attended the Royal Danish Military Academy in 1992. He served in the Prince’s Life Regiment from 1996 to 2004. 

The prince announced in March 2023 that he would begin a new role in the US that year, as defence industry attaché at the Danish embassy in Washington. Princess Marie, Joachim’s second wife, and two younger children, Count Henrik and Countess Athena, now live in Washington where they spend the majority of their time. 

Since then, he has carried out just a handful of royal engagements. He was present, in January 2024, for the abdication of his mother, Margrethe II, and the accession of his brother as King Frederik X.