Prince Joachim and Princess Marie of Denmark have announced their decision to extend their stay in the United States, following the Queen’s decision to strip their children of their royal titles. The royal couple’s teenage children, Count Henrik and Countess Athena, will continue attending school in the U.S. for a minimum of two more years.
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The Danish royal house revealed on Friday that Prince Joachim’s roles as Defense Industry Attaché and Deputy Defense Attaché in Washington, D.C. have been prolonged until August 2027. This means that the prince, princess, and their children will remain in the U.S. capital, where the young Count and Countess have been enrolled in school since their relocation in 2023.
Prince Joachim, 56, shares two older children, Count Nikolai, 26, and Count Felix, 23, with his former wife, Countess Alexandra. After assuming his position at the Danish Embassy in September 2023, following the royal family’s restructuring, the news of the Queen stripping Prince Joachim’s children of their titles emerged a year later. The titles were replaced with “His/Her Excellency” and the count/countess titles, while maintaining their spots in the Danish line of succession.
In a candid interview with The Washington Post in March 2024, Prince Joachim and Princess Marie expressed mixed emotions about the Queen’s decision. The couple acknowledged feeling unsettled about the process but stressed the importance of moving forward as a family. Despite the title change, they highlighted that their children’s identities are more than mere titles and expressed a desire to focus on shaping their own lives.
Following Queen Margrethe’s abdication in January 2024 and King Frederik’s assumption of the throne, the relationship between the royal brothers remains amicable. In a June 2025 interview with TV2, Prince Joachim shared the family’s conflicting feelings about returning to Denmark versus staying in the U.S., where they have built a routine and community, especially for their children’s education.
Although Denmark is considered home, and the prince admitted to missing the strong social ties back in their home country, the family is making the most of their time abroad. With a significant time zone difference and distance separating them from Denmark, the couple emphasized cherishing their moments together and making their current situation work for their family unit.
The decision to remain in the U.S. reflects the royal couple’s commitment to ensuring stability and continuity for their children’s education and the roles they hold in Washington, D.C. Their unique family dynamics and resilience in navigating the changes brought about by the royal title adjustments showcase their adaptability and dedication to their children’s well-being above all else.
The unfolding saga of Prince Joachim, Princess Marie, and their children in the U.S. underlines the complexities and adjustments that come with royal life and the balancing act required to uphold tradition while nurturing individual growth and identity. As they continue their extended stay in the U.S., the family’s story serves as a reminder of the personal sacrifices and choices confronted by royals as they navigate their public and private lives.