Denmark's grumpy royal Prince Henrik, 83, accuses Queen Margrethe of not showing him the respect 'a normal wife must give her spouse'

  • Prince Henrik has announced he will not be buried beside wife Queen Margrethe 
  • Decision is because of long-standing feud over his title, Danish media report
  • Henrik is unhappy he was named prince consort, instead of king consort,
  • Statement from Queen said she 'has been aware of his decision for some time'

By Sara Malm and Chris Pleasance for MailOnline

Published: 07:49 EST, 9 August 2017 | Updated: 10:45 EST, 9 August 2017

Prince Henrik of Denmark has accused his wife Queen Margrethe of not showing him the respect 'a normal wife must give her spouse.' - because he was never made King.

Last week, the 83-year-old announced that he will not be buried next to his wife - the latest of a series of protest actions carried out by the Prince to over his title.

Henrik is upset over not being named 'King Consort' when Queen Margrethe ascended to the throne in 1972, instead having to settle for 'Prince Consort'.

Title fight: Prince Henrik of Denmark gave an interview to expand on his decision not to be buried next to his wife when the day comes - accusing the Queen of 'making a fool of me'

Title fight: Prince Henrik of Denmark gave an interview to expand on his decision not to be buried next to his wife when the day comes - accusing the Queen of 'making a fool of me'

Now in an interview with local weekly magazine Se og Hor he has accused the Queen of 'making a fool of me.'

In a video on the magazine's website the prince tries to explain his earlier outburst when he refused to be buried with his wife at Roskilde Cathedral.  

He says: 'It is her that is making a fool of me. I didn't marry the Queen to be buried at Roskilde.'

The prince adds: 'My wife has decided that she wants to be Queen, and I'm very happy about that.

'But as a human being she needs to know that if a man and wife are married, they are equal.' 

Gruympy Frenchman: Last week, Prince Henrik has announced that he will not be buried next to Queen Margrethe when he dies in a long-standing row over his title

Gruympy Frenchman: Last week, Prince Henrik has announced that he will not be buried next to Queen Margrethe when he dies in a long-standing row over his title

French-born Henrik expected to be named king consort after Margrethe ascended to the throne in 1972, but was named prince consort instead

French-born Henrik expected to be named king consort after Margrethe ascended to the throne in 1972, but was named prince consort instead

He says in the video that he loves the Queen, but adds: 'My wife does not give me the respect a normal wife must give her spouse.' 

There were reports that French-born Henrik made the request not to be buried next to the queen because he wanted to be buried in his home country, but the royal household said this was not true. 

A statement from the royal house said: 'The Queen has for some time been familiar with the decision of His Royal Highness and acknowledges the decision. 

'The Prince's decision does not change The Queen's funeral plans. The Prince's wish to be buried in Denmark remains, but the circumstances are not yet in place,' a spokesman said.

A statement from the royal household said the Queen 'has for some time been familiar with the decision' and will not change her own burial plans

Palace communications chief, Lene Balleby, told Danish tabloid BT: 'It is no secret that the prince for many years has been unhappy with his role and the title he has been awarded in the Danish monarchy. 

'This discontent has grown more and more in recent years

'For the prince, the decision not to buried beside the queen is the natural consequence of not having been treated equally to his spouse - by not having the title and role he has desired.' 

This is not the first time Prince Henrik, born Count Henri de Laborde de Monpezat, has taken to drastic measures to show his displeasure with the Danish crown.

In 2002, he went to France in protest after the Royal Couple's oldest son, Crown Prince Frederik, was made the host of a New Year's Day party in absence of the Queen.

Prince Henrik said he had felt  'pushed aside, degraded and humiliated' and relegated to third place, when Prince Frederik was made host instead of him.

Henrik left Denmark and went to stay at the couple's Château de Caïx in Cahors in southern France, and refused to come back for three weeks. 

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