Prince George is celebrating his 13th birthday today, and he shares the date with another royal: Count Felix of Monpezat, who turns 24.
Who is Count Felix of Monpezat?
Count Felix is the younger son of Prince Joachim and his first wife, Alexandra, Countess of Frederiksborg. He is also a grandson of former Danish Queen Margrethe II. Born on July 22, 2002, Felix, along with his brother Count Nikolai and their half-siblings Count Henrik and Countess Athena, were stripped of their royal and HRH titles in 2023.
Title changes and royal reaction
All four of Prince Joachim's children are now referred to as Count or Countess of Monpezat, reflecting the hereditary titles of Danish nobility. Despite losing their princely titles, they retain their positions in the line of succession, according to the Express.
In 2023, days after the announcement, Margrethe II released a statement acknowledging she had "underestimated" the impact of her decision. She said: "In recent days, there have been strong reactions to my decision on the future use of titles for Prince Joachim's four children. It obviously affects me. My decision has been a long time coming. With my 50 years on the throne, it is natural both to look back and to look forward."
She added: "It is my duty and my wish as Queen to ensure that the monarchy continues to shape itself in keeping with the times... This adaptation, which I see as a necessary safeguard for the future of the monarchy, I want to make in my time."
Margrethe concluded: "I have made my decision as Queen, mother and grandmother, but as a mother and grandmother I have underestimated how much my youngest son and his family feel affected. It makes a big impression, and I'm sorry for that. No one should be in doubt that my children, children-in-law and grandchildren are my great joy and pride. I now hope that we as a family can find the peace to find our way through this situation ourselves."
The decision did not affect the titles of the four children of King Frederik, the former Queen's other son.
