Peculiar Behavior for Danish Regent Couple

This week could have been great press for Queen Margrethe of Denmark and her husband, Prince Henrik. On Sunday, they were at the christening of their newest grandchild, named after the Prince Consort. But quickly, things got a bit odd.

: Hello Magazine File

First, the regent couple announced they would not be doing their annual interview during their summer break in southern France.

Then, Prince Henrik attended the 275th anniversary of a rifle club. He was meant to stay for the entire four hour event, but instead stayed for only 30 minutes. The chairman of the club did not bother to hide his disappointment.

What is going on for this normally in-touch couple?

“There can be several reasons underlying the decision,” writes Danish royal expert Marianne Singer.

“Maybe regent couple already feel amply exposed this year. First came the birth of the little new prince, and Prince Henrik’s 75th birthday, where there was celebration over several days.”

Even so, cancelling a traditional interview and not doing a full engagement could harm the Danish royal couple, who already are experiencing some decreasing approval ratings.

A lecturer at the University of Copenhagen, Klaud Kjoller, told Berlingske newspaper: “I can only interpret the [press] cancellation as a step away from the people.”