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Denmark

The Crown Prince and Princess of Denmark react to shocking documentary on son’s school

Herlufsholm school in Denmark is a prestigious boarding school, where several members of the Danish royal family have spent years of their education. Currently, the future King of Denmark, His Royal Highness Prince Christian, is attended the school.

However, the Danish TV-channel TV2 has broadcast a documentary “Herlufsholm’s secrets”, where several former students describe a violent culture with abuse and bullying in the school.

The documentary, shown on May 5th 2022, presented stories from about 50 former students, including several alleging a culture of bullying and violence at the school.

It must be emphasized that Prince Christian is not associated with the cases. Still, the shocking descriptions in the documentary have caused the Crown Prince and Crown Princess to react as parents to Prince Christian, who is still attending the school.

On the Danish royal family’s Instagram, Crown Prince Frederik and Crown Princess Mary say: “As parents of a child who goes to Herlufsholm, we are deeply shaken by the testimonies that emerge in the current documentary about the school. It is heartbreaking to hear about systematic bullying and about the culture of abuse and violence that many have been a part of. That is completely unacceptable. As parents, we expect the school to effectively ensure a culture where everyone is safe and part of the community, and we will in the coming time follow the changes that are obviously necessary”.

The school has said on its website that it has launched in ”independent investigation” into the allegations.

Prince Nikolai of Denmark attended 10th grade at Herlufsholm School and received his upper secondary education there as well. The Danish Royal Court announced earlier this year that in the fall of this year, Princess Isabella of Denmark is set to start at Herlufsholm School.

Herlufsholm School is a private day and boarding about 80 kilometres south of Copenhagen. There are about 600 students at the school of which approximately 275 students are boarders. The pupils follow a 10-day programme with lessons on Saturdays followed by 3-day weekends.

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.