Emotional Royal Farewell: King Frederik, Queen Mary, and Prince Joachim Come Together to Bid Adieu to the Former Court Chief, Even as Queen Mary Faces Injury and Summer Escapes

The Danish royals attended a funeral in Copenhagen

Just days after supporting Danish athletes at the Paris 2024 Olympics, King Frederik and Queen Mary were reunited with Frederik’s brother, Prince Joachim, and Princess Marie.

The royals attended the funeral of Per Thornit, the former Chief of Court for Denmark’s royal family, at Holmens Church in Copenhagen on Thursday. 

As they arrived at the service, they were each seen comforting Per’s widow, Ulla.

And in a photograph published by Billed Bladet, Frederik, 56, and Joachim, 55, were also spotted embracing one another, while Mary and Marie exchanged warm glances.

Mourners at the service were respectfully dressed in black with Mary, 52, wore a blouse, a pleated skirt and a wide-brimmed hat, while her sister-in-law Marie, 48, donned a trouser suit.

Mary was also seen sporting a plaster on her chin, with the Danish royal palace confirming to Billed Bladet, that the queen caught it while out horse riding.

Per Thornit, who died on 30 July 2024 aged 82, was a former Danish Lord Chamberlain before he became Frederik’s head of court when he was Crown Prince.

He is said to have given Australian-born Mary “princess lessons” before she married Frederik in 2004. He resigned from his position in 2010.

Danish royals’ summer plans

Joachim and Marie currently reside in Washington D.C. where Joachim works as the defense industry attaché at the Danish Embassy. Prior to that, they lived in Paris, where Marie was born.

The couple have been spending the summer at the Danish royal family’s property Château de Cayx in southern France, with their children, Count Henrik, 15, and Countess Athena, 12, and Joachim’s sons, Count Nikolai, 24, and Count Felix, 22.

Last weekend, Joachim, Marie, Henrik and Athena attended the Copenhagen Grand Prix, while Nikolai watched his girlfriend, Benedikte Thoustrup, make her debut on the runway at Copenhagen Fashion Week.

Both Nikolai and Felix, whose mother is Joachim’s ex-wife, Alexandra, Countess of Frederiksborg, both have modelling contracts of their own.

Meanwhile, Frederik and Mary took up their summer residence at Gråsten Palace last month, as is tradition for the Danish monarch.

The couple also travelled to Paris to watch the action at the Olympics, attending a gala before the Games and the Opening Ceremony.

Mary has been among the spectators at the dressage, handball and swimming events, while Frederik has cheered on athletes in basketball, badminton, athletics and tennis.

The king and queen’s son, Crown Prince Christian, 18, has been acting as regent while his parents have been out of the country.

Christian graduated from high school earlier this summer. Frederik and Mary are also parents to Princess Isabella, 17, and 13-year-old twins, Prince Vincent and Princess Josephine, who joined them on their tour of Greenland in July.

The recent tragic passing of Per Thornit, former Chief of Court for Denmark’s royal family, brought the Danish royals together once again, this time to pay their respects at his funeral in Copenhagen. King Frederik and Queen Mary, along with Prince Joachim and Princess Marie, attended the somber event at Holmens Church. The royal family was seen offering their condolences to Per’s widow, Ulla, in a touching display of unity and support. As they arrived at the service, it was evident that the royals had put aside any differences and come together in a time of grief. Frederik and Joachim shared a heartfelt embrace, while Mary and Marie exchanged warm glances, showing the bond that exists between them. The attire of the mourners was traditional and respectful, with Mary opting for a classic ensemble of a blouse, pleated skirt, and a wide-brimmed hat. Her sister-in-law Marie chose a more modern look with a stylish trouser suit. Interestingly, Mary was sporting a plaster on her chin, a minor injury acquired while horse riding, highlighting her passion for the equestrian sport.Per Thornit played a significant role in Danish royalty, serving as Lord Chamberlain before becoming Frederik’s head of court during his time as Crown Prince. He was instrumental in preparing Mary for her role as Princess when she married Frederik in 2004, offering her valuable guidance and advice. His passing marks the end of an era for the Danish royal family, as he resigned from his position in 2010.Meanwhile, Prince Joachim and Princess Marie have been spending their summer at Château de Cayx in southern France with their children and Joachim’s sons from his previous marriage. This tranquil retreat has provided them with a much-needed break from their busy lives in Washington D.C. where Joachim serves as the defense industry attaché at the Danish Embassy.As for King Frederik and Queen Mary, they have been enjoying their summer residence at Gråsten Palace, a longstanding tradition for the Danish monarch. Their recent trip to Paris for the Olympics was a highlight, with Mary enthusiastically supporting Danish athletes in various events. Their son, Crown Prince Christian, has been dutifully acting as regent in their absence, showcasing the next generation of Danish royalty.The Danish royal family’s unity and resilience in the face of adversity have once again been on display, as they come together to mourn the loss of a beloved member. Their strength and solidarity serve as an inspiration to us all, reminding us of the importance of family and togetherness in times of sorrow. Stay tuned for more updates on the Danish royals and their latest activities.

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Source: The Wall Street Journal

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