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HRH The Prince Consort

Henrik, His Royal Highness The Prince Consort, was born Henri Marie Jean André Count de Laborde de Monpezat. The Prince Consort was born on 11 June 1934 in Talence, Gironde, France as the son of Count André de Laborde de Monpezat (d. 1998) and Countess Renée de Monpezat, born Doursennot (d. 2002).

Wedding

On 10 June 1967, the Heir Apparent to the Danish throne married Henri Marie Jean André Count de Laborde de Monpezat, who in connection with the marriage became HRH Prince Henrik of Denmark. The wedding ceremony took place in Holmens Kirke (the naval church) and the wedding festivities were held at Fredensborg Palace.

Children

HRH Crown Prince Frederik André Henrik Christian, born on 26 May 1968 and HRH Prince Joachim Holger Waldemar Christian, born on 7 June 1969.

Education

HRH The Prince Consort spent his first five years in Vietnam, the then French Indo-China, where his father was in charge of family interests in industrial enterprises etc, founded by his grandfather at the turn of the century. In 1939, the family returned to the family residence le Cayrou in Cahors. Having received instruction at home until 1947, The Prince Consort subsequently studied at the Jesuit boarding school in Bordeaux. In the period 1948-1950, HRH The Prince Consort attended upper secondary school in Cahors. His Royal Highness returned to Hanoi in 1950 and graduated from the French upper secondary school in Hanoi in 1952. In the period 1952-1957, The Prince Consort studied law and political science at the Sorbonne, Paris while simultaneously studying Chinese and Vietnamese at École Nationale des Langues Orientales. Having studied Oriental languages in Hong Kong in 1957, Prince Henrik subsequently studied in Saigon in 1958.

Relations to the Defence

HRH The Prince Consort performed his military service with the infantry in Algeria in the period 1959-1962. His Royal Highness holds the honorary rank of General and Admiral in the Danish Defence.

Business background

Prince Henrik has a background in the diplomatic service. In 1962, His Royal Highness worked within the Asia Department of the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and from 1963 to 1967 as a Secretary to the French Embassy in London. HRH The Prince Consort operates the wine estate Château de Caïx in Cahors in France. Wine from the estate is exported throughout the world.

Language

The mother tongue of HRH The Prince Consort is French, but The Prince Consort learnt Danish very swiftly after having moved to Denmark. In addition, His Royal Highness speaks English, Chinese and Vietnamese.

Publications and translations

Under the assumed name of H.M. Vejerbjerg, HRH The Prince Consort together with HM The Queen translated Simone de Beauvoir’s "Tous les hommes sont mortels” into Danish in 1981. In 1982, The Prince Consort published ”Chemin faisant" (a volume of French poems). "Destin oblige", the memoirs of His Royal Highness, was published in 1996 followed by His Royal Highness’ favourite recipes, published in the book "Ikke Altid Gåselever" (not always goose liver) (together with Jakob Johannsen) in 1999. In 2000, His Royal Higness published a collection of poems called "Cantabile" and in 2003 "Les escargots de Marie Lanceline". In 2004 HRH The Prince Consort published "Chateau de Caïx" and "Fotos fra Prins Henriks private album". It was also published in french as "Intimité royale". In 2005 The Prince Consort publised a collection of poems in French called "Murmures de vent" and in Danish "Hviskende brise". In 2005 The Prince Consort also published the cookery book " Til glæde for ganen - nye opskrifter til et kongeligt køkken".