Prince Joachim of Denmark is home for Christmas after a year which saw him undergo an emergency brain operation.
The younger son of Margrethe II was joined by his family as they chose a Christmas tree at their home of Schackenborg Castle.
Joachim, who is sixth in line to the Danish throne, became unwell while staying at the Danish royal holiday residence, Chateau de Cayx, and ended up at the University Hospital in Toulouse after he was diagnosed with a brain clot on his brain. Following his surgery, he recovered at Cayx and then in Paris, where he now lives with his family. In September, he was well enough to take up his role as Danish Military Attaché to France.
He has been unable to see his mother, Queen Margrethe, since the operation owing to coronavirus restrictions. However, on Christmas Eve, he and his family will travel to Marselisborg Palace in Aarhus to pass the season with Margrethe. Crown Prince Frederik, Crown Princess Mary and their four children will celebrate the holidays in Copenhagen as coronavirus restrictions mean the whole family can’t get together.
Joachim’s first appearance in Denmark since his operation came in a video shared by the Danish Royal Family on their official social media. The prince, 51, is seen choosing a Christmas tree with his wife, Princess Marie, and their two children, Henrik (11) and Athena (8) as well as his two sons from his first marriage, Nikolai (21) and Felix (18). In the video, the family was seen walking through muddy fields to make their pick before Joachim took charge of the felling operation. Later on, Nikolai is seen driving the tree back to the castle before Felix and Henrik help him carry it up the steps.
The family then posed for their official festive image before wishing everyone a ”Happy Christmas”.
