Henrik, Prince Consort of Denmark
Who was Henrik, Prince Consort of Denmark?
French-born prince who served as consort to Queen Margrethe II of Denmark from 1972 to 2018. He was also an accomplished sculptor and visual artist who created works displayed in Danish museums.
Biographical data adapted from Wikipedia’s article on Henrik, Prince Consort of Denmark (CC BY-SA 4.0).
Biography
Prince Henrik of Denmark, Count of Monpezat (1934–2018), was a French-born prince who was married to Queen Margrethe II of Denmark from 1972 until he passed away. Born Henri Marie Jean André de Laborde de Monpezat in Talence, France, he spent his early years in French Indochina (now Vietnam) where his family was deeply rooted. During World War II, his family moved back to Cahors, France, but returned to Indochina after the war. They were forced to leave again following France's defeat in the First Indochina War, an experience that influenced Henrik's outlook on life and culture. He completed his studies at Lycée Gambetta in Cahors, the University of Paris, and the Institut national des langues et civilisations orientales, then served in the French Army during the Algerian War before joining diplomatic service. Henrik's skills in languages and culture suited him for international relations work. His life took a significant turn when he met Crown Princess Margrethe of Denmark. They married at Holmen Church on 10 June 1967, and he became prince consort when Margrethe became queen after her father King Frederik IX died in 1972. As the first male consort to a Danish monarch, he had to manage new constitutional and ceremonial duties. As prince consort, Henrik supported his wife's reign and was also an accomplished artist. He became skilled as a sculptor and visual artist, with his works shown in Danish museums and cultural institutions. He also published poetry and made wine at his French estate. Henrik was known for his language skills and love for Asian culture, influenced by his childhood in Vietnam. During his time as prince consort, he was openly unhappy about not being given the title of king, highlighting changing gender roles in European monarchies. He stepped down from official royal duties on 1 January 2016 at age 81 and died at Fredensborg Palace on 13 February 2018 after a short illness.
Before Fame
Henrik grew up in French Indochina, where his family had lived for generations. His early years in Vietnam introduced him to Asian languages, culture, and philosophy, shaping his worldview. When his family had to leave Indochina due to French military losses, Henrik learned about political change and cultural displacement. He studied in France, attending the Institut national des langues et civilisations orientales, which suited his multicultural upbringing and readied him for a diplomatic career. He served in the French Army during the Algerian War and worked in diplomacy, integrating into France's international relations circles, a path he might have stayed on if he hadn't met the Danish royal family.
Key Achievements
- Served as Denmark's first male prince consort for 46 years (1972-2018)
- Created sculptural and visual art works displayed in Danish museums
- Published multiple volumes of poetry and literary works
- Successfully produced wine at his French estate
- Received numerous international honors including the Grand Cross of the Legion of Honour
Did You Know?
- 01.He spent his childhood in French Indochina and was fluent in Vietnamese, which influenced his lifelong interest in Asian culture and philosophy
- 02.Henrik served in the French Army during the Algerian War before entering diplomatic service
- 03.He produced wine at his French estate and was considered a skilled vintner
- 04.Henrik published numerous volumes of poetry throughout his life, demonstrating his literary talents beyond his visual arts
- 05.He was awarded the Nersornaat in gold in 2003, one of Greenland's highest honors
Family & Personal Life
Awards & Honors
| Award | Year | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Grand Cross of the Legion of Honour | — | — |
| Grand Cross of the National Order of Merit | — | — |
| Knight Grand Cross of the Royal Victorian Order | — | — |
| Grand Cross of the Order of Wissam El Alaouite | — | — |
| Commander of the Order of Agricultural Merit | — | — |
| Knight Grand Cross of the Order of the Falcon | — | — |
| Order of the Three Stars, 1st Class | — | — |
| Nersornaat in gold | 2003 | — |
| Grand Cross of the Military Order of Christ | — | — |
| Grand Cross Special Class of the Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany | — | — |
| Order of the Star of Romania | — | — |
| Knight of the Order of the Elephant | 1967 | — |
| Grand Order of Queen Jelena | — | — |
| Knight Grand Cross of the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic | — | — |
| Order of Stara Planina | — | — |
| Order of the Yugoslav Star | — | — |
| Order of the Nile | — | — |
| Order 23rd of August | — | — |
| Supreme Order of the Renaissance | — | — |
| Order of Diplomatic Service Merit | — | — |
| Grand Star of the Decoration for Services to the Republic of Austria | — | — |
| Royal Order of the Seraphim | 1972 | — |
| Knight Grand Cross of the Order of St. Olav | 1968 | — |
| Grand Cordon of the Supreme Order of the Chrysanthemum | — | — |
| Knight Grand Cross of the Order of the Bath | — | — |
| Knight Grand Cross of the Order of St Michael and St George | — | — |
| Grand Cross of the Order of Charles III | — | — |
| Grand Cross of the Order of Merit of the Republic of Poland | — | — |
| Grand Cross of the Order of the White Double Cross | 2012 | — |
| Knight Grand Commander of the Order of the Dannebrog | — | — |
| Grand Cross with Collar of the Order of the White Rose of Finland | 1973 | — |