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Denmark

Denmark’s Prince Henrik stars in 11th birthday photos taken by little sister

Denmark’s Prince Henrik is celebrating his 11th birthday today, and to celebrate, his parents, Prince Joachim and Princess Marie, released two new images of their son.

The two photos are special this year, as they were taken by Henrik’s younger sister, eight-year-old Princess Athena.

Photo: HRH Princess Athena

The photographs were taken in Denmark where the family is now living after returning from Paris a few months ago due to COVID-19 and Prince Henrik’s unrelated illness.

The family returned to Denmark in March, and Henrik was examined at the Rigshospitalet for respiration problems connected with asthmatic bronchitis. He was also tested for the coronavirus but fortunately, the test turned out to be negative.

However, considering Prince Henrik’s condition, they continued to seek treatment with the Rigshospitalet, where they have a regular doctor.

Photo: HRH Princess Athena

Both Prince Henrik and Princess Athena have been undertaking schooling online from their French school since returning, and their father has been taking his military courses online, as well, due to restrictions of the pandemic.

Prince Henrik was born on 4 May 2009 at the Rigshospitalet in Copenhagen. Following Danish royal tradition, his names were not revealed until his christening on 26 July 2009 at the Møgeltønder Church. His full name is Henrik Carl Joachim Alain; his first name is from his paternal grandfather while the name Joachim comes from his father and Alain from his maternal grandfather.

His complete title is His Highness Prince Henrik of Denmark, Count of Monpezat; he ranks ninth in line to the succession of the Danish throne behind his uncle, Crown Prince Frederik and his four children, his father and older brothers.

Henrik has two older half-brothers, Prince Nikolai and Prince Felix from his father, Prince Joachim’s first marriage to Countess Alexandra. He also has one full younger sister, Princess Athena, from his father’s marriage to his mother, Princess Marie.

About author

Brittani is from Tennessee, USA. She is a political scientist and historian after graduating with a degree in the topics from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, in December 2014. She also holds a master's degree from Northeastern University. She enjoys reading and researching all things regarding the royals of the world. She's been researching, reading, and writing on royalty for over a decade. She became Europe Editor in October 2016, and then Deputy Editor in January 2019, and has been featured on several podcasts, radio shows, news broadcasts and websites including Global News Canada, ABC News Australia, WION India and BBC World News.