When Denmark’s Queen Margrethe suddenly announced her abdication on New Year’s Eve, many of us immediately thought about the recent troubles involving her eldest son, Crown Prince Frederik, and how he was caught carrying on with a woman who is not his wife. In the days since Margrethe’s announcement, the British media has been discussing it openly – why Margrethe is stepping down, why it’s happening now, and whether this was her scheme to “save” Frederik and Mary’s marriage. It’s clear that Margrethe had many reasons to step down, and one of those reasons is likely “to force Frederik to get his act together.” Well, Tom Sykes at the Daily Beast has Danish sources and they had some interesting tea:
Danes believe that the abdication has to do with Fred’s affair: While many Danes believe that Margrethe, 83, an immensely popular and trusted figure, decided to call time on her 52-year reign precisely for the reasons she herself gave in her speech—she said that “now is the right time” and she has recently had major back surgery—others concede that the fresh start comes at what has seemed to be a rare moment of peril for the popular Danish royals. For example, one Danish aristocrat who is acquainted with the royal family told The Daily Beast, “There had always been an assumption that she would carry on, if not forever, then certainly for many more years. So it was really a huge surprise when she announced she would stand down, and it is hard for people not to connect it with the recent trouble.”
Fred’s alleged affair with Genoveva Casanova: [The rumors began] after Spanish publication Lecturas published pictures of Frederik and Casanova out in Madrid, grabbing dinner and watching flamenco. Casanova “flatly” denied the rumors, and while the Danish royals did not comment, their camp let it be known that they claimed the stories were false. That might have been that, were it not for the fact that Mary then posted a few atypically ambiguous Instagrams. On one she said, “Sorry for not posting anything this month, I just needed time for myself and other things. I’ve just decided that I will post only the most important events of November and I then [sic] all the events of December.”
The average Dane on the street: One typical citizen, a teacher who asked not to be named, told The Daily Beast that it was simply about her “stepping down while well enough to be able to provide support for the handover” and being able “to give [Frederik] the crown while he was young enough to be useful, unlike the perception of King Charles.” Of her son’s supposed affair, the teacher said, “That’s not her way. No one cares either way.”
Practical Margrethe: That may well be the case among patriotic Danes, but in more global forums the suspicion that Margrethe was seeking to “save” Princess Mary and Frederik’s marriage is proving hard to dispel. For example, one Danish expat told The Daily Beast, “Margrethe is an immensely practical woman, and my hope is that she decided to do this just because it is clearly a sensible way of doing it. But the very sudden nature of it is undeniably a bit odd.”
I hope that we can acknowledge that Frederik’s alleged affair was part of the consideration for his mother, although (as I said) I think there were several other factors too. But I’d just like to point out that, from what I’ve seen, the affair story was already dying out in the European gossip media because the Danes had effectively stonewalled every inquiry. Fred didn’t even have to make a general denial on the record. They just no-commented on the entire scandal and starved the story of oxygen. Now, with the abdication, it’s like the story has new life because everyone’s talking about Fred’s wandering sceptre and whether Mary was prepared to hire a divorce lawyer. Maybe Margrethe’s abdication was the biggest Streisand Effect for Fred’s affair after all?
Photos courtesy of Cover Images, Avalon Red.
- Her Majesty The Queen Margrethe turns 80 on April 16, 2020. In connection with her birthday, the Royal House will publish a new art portrait series by photographer Per Morten Abrahamsen. Past, present and future. The portrait of the Queen, Crown Prince and Prince Christian is taken in the Red Salon in Christian IX’s mansion in Amalienborg. In the background of the picture on the left stands a bust of Frederick 9, so in fact four generations of past, present and future regenter gathered. EDITORIAL USE ONLY! / MAY NOT BE PUBLISHED IN BOOKS AND ILLUSTRATED BOOKS!,Image: 564236769, License: Rights-managed, Restrictions: UK, USA and AUS ONLY – Fee Payable Upon Reproduction – For queries contact Avalon.red – London: +44 (0) 20 7421 6000 Los Angeles: +1 (310) 822 0419 Berlin: +49 (0) 30 76 212 251, Model Release: no, Credit line: Stella Pictures / Stella Pictures / Avalon
- Denmark’s Queen Margrethe and Crown Prince Frederik pay their respects to Britain’s Queen Elizabeth, following her death, during her lying-in-state at Westminster Hall, in London, Britain, September 18, 2022.,Image: 724022711, License: Rights-managed, Restrictions: , Model Release: no, Credit line: SARAH MEYSSONNIER / Avalon
- Mary, Crown Princess of Denmark celebrates her 50th birthday Featuring: Crown Princess Mary of Denmark with Crown Prince Frederik, Prince Christian, Princess Isabella, Prince Vincent and Princess Josephine Where: Copenhagen, Denmark When: 06 Feb 2022 Credit: Dutch Press Photo/Cover Images **NOT AVAILABLE FOR PUBLICATION IN THE NETHERLANDS**
- Queen Margrethe II of Denmark attending a Gala dinner at Christiansborg Palace for the Queen her 50th Jubilee of Government in Copenhagen. Where: Copenhagen, Denmark When: 11 Sep 2022 Credit: Dutch Press Photo/Cover Images **NOT AVAILABLE FOR PUBLICATION IN THE NETHERLANDS OR FRANCE**
- Prince Christian of Denmark gala dinner to celebrate his 18th birthday at Christiansborg Palace Featuring: Crown Prince Frederik, Crown Princess Mary of Denmark, Prince Christian Where: Copenhagen, Denmark When: 15 Oct 2023 Credit: Dutch Press Photo/Cover Images **NOT AVAILABLE FOR PUBLICATION IN THE NETHERLANDS OR FRANCE**
- King Felipe VI and Queen Letizia of Spain during their arrival at Vilhelm Lauritzen Terminal at Copenhagen Airport in Copenhagen, on the first day of the 3 day state visit of the Spanish Royals to Denmark. Featuring: Crown Princess Mary of Denmark Where: Copenhagen, Denmark When: 06 Nov 2023 Credit: Dutch Press Photo/Cover Images **NOT AVAILABLE FOR PUBLICATION IN THE NETHERLANDS OR FRANCE**
- Crown Princess Mary of Denmark and Crown Prince Frederik of Denmark attending a state banquet at Christiansborg Castle in Copenhagen, Monday November 6, 2023. The Spanish royal couple is on a three-day state visit to Denmark. Photo by Stefan Lindblom/Stella Pictures/ABACAPRESS.COM Featuring: Crown Princess Mary of Denmark, Crown Prince Frederik of Denmark Where: Copenhagen, Denmark When: 06 Nov 2023 Credit: Stefan Lindblom/Stella Pictures/Abaca Press/INSTARimages **NORTH AMERICA RIGHTS ONLY**
- King Felipe VI of Spain, Queen Margrethe of Denmark and Queen Letizia of Spain attending a state banquet at Christiansborg Castle in Copenhagen, Monday November 6, 2023. The Spanish royal couple is on a three-day state visit to Denmark. Photo by Stefan Lindblom/Stella Pictures/ABACAPRESS.COM Featuring: King Felipe VI of Spain, Queen Margrethe of Denmark, Queen Letizia of Spain Where: Copenhagen, Denmark When: 06 Nov 2023 Credit: Stefan Lindblom/Stella Pictures/Abaca Press/INSTARimages **NORTH AMERICA RIGHTS ONLY**
- Spanish and Danish Royals during a Wreath-laying Ceremony at the Danish National Monument of Remembrance at Kastellet in Copenhagen, on day 2 of the 3 day state visit of the Spanish Royals to Denmark. Featuring: Crown Prince Frederik and Crown Princess Mary of Denmark Where: Copenhagen, Denmark When: 07 Nov 2023 Credit: Dutch Press Photo/Cover Images **NOT AVAILABLE FOR PUBLICATION IN THE NETHERLANDS OR FRANCE**
- Members of the Spanish royal family during the return arrangement at the Glyptoteket in Copenhagen on day 2 of the 3-day state visit to Denmark Featuring: Crown Prince Frederik of Denmark Where: Copenhagen, Denmark When: 07 Nov 2023 Credit: Dutch Press Photo/Cover Images **NOT AVAILABLE FOR PUBLICATION IN THE NETHERLANDS OR FRANCE**
- New Year’s Eve dinner and banquet for the government at Amalienborg Palace Featuring: Crown Prince Frederik and Crown Princess Mary of Denmark Where: Copenhagen, Denmark When: 01 Jan 2024 Credit: Abaca Press/INSTARimages **NORTH AMERICA RIGHTS ONLY**
