They’ve been noticeable by their absence for the past couple of years but a prince and princess are now centre stage for their royal family after a stay in the US.
Prince Joachim and Princess Marie of Denmark moved to America in 2023 when he took up a military position there. The couple, who had carried out regular engagements in Denmark, disappeared from the royal diary. And while Joachim returned to Copenhagen in January 2024 for the abdication of his mother, Queen Margrethe, and the accession of his older brother as King Frederik X, Marie remained in Washington for that moment of history.
(DRTV Screenshot / Fair Use)
It’s led to speculation about the state of the royal relationships within the Amalienborg Palace. However, recent months have seen something of a chance and, right now, Denmark’s royals are suddenly all about Joachim and Marie again.
In the media landscape of 2025, socials are everything and the official platform of Denmark’s royals is wall to wall with this particular prince and princess. The Danish family prefer Instagram to put their own message out there and right now, you’ve got to scroll to find anyone other than Joachim and Marie there.
(Det Danske Kongehus Instagram)
The couple have spent several days at the Invictus Games and photos of them with the Danish team dominate the feed. King Frederik is a long time supporter of the Games and has visited several times himself. Prince Joachim is now defence industry attaché at the Danish embassy in the US. With a military remit and a much shorter plane ride to Vancouver Whistler 2025 than his relatives in Denmark, his presence made sense at the event.
Joachim and Marie have embraced the job with gusto and have been meeting many of the Danish competitors as well as catching up with Prince Harry in the final days of the 2025 Games.
But their renewed presence in the image of the Danish royal family extends beyond this one event. Their profile began to rise at the beginning of December. Princess Marie took part in a celebration of Danish Christmas culture in France, where she was born, and just days later was among the royal guests at the banquet given as part of the State Visit of the President of Egypt.
Soon afterwards, the princess held meetings for two new patronages in the Danish royal palace and the pair were at the traditional New Year’s galas having spent the festive season with Queen Margrethe. Prince Joachim’s work with veterans also made the royal diary. And since the beginning of February, when Denmark’s royals shared a portrait of Marie to mark her birthday, the once forgotten royals have been front and centre.
It’s perhaps a smart move from King Frederik and Queen Mary who have headed to Australia for a winter break with three of their children. The Queen of Denmark tries to head back to the country she grew up in at least once a year and she’s been enjoying time there with Princess Isabella, 17, and 14 year old twins, Prince Vincent and Princess Josephine. King Frederik and Queen Mary’s eldest child, Crown Prince Christian, 19, has just started military training. He’s also been named regent for their stay overseas.
(Det Danske Kongehus Instagram still/ fair use)
However, all those events are going on in the background. Check into the Danish royal channels right now and it’s Joachim and Marie who are keeping the regal flag flying. The couple’s departure came in the wake of a very public row about the status of their children who lost their HRH and title of prince and princess, as did Joachim’s sons from his first marriage, in a controversial decision by Queen Margrethe.
Whether this latest spotlight on them and their royal duties signals another change remains to be seen. The bulk of royal engagements are carried out by King Frederik and Queen Margrethe remains a powerful presence but continues to have mobility issues and will turn 85 in April. Her sister, Princess Benedikte, also takes on a wide range of engagements every year but she’ll be 81 this spring.
There’s no doubt that the new King and Queen of Denmark are considering how their royal family operates in the future. This focus on a forgotten prince and princess might yet be a sign of things to come.
