15 April 2024 | News
Benedikte Astrid Ingeborg Ingrid, Princess of Denmark, was born on 29 April 1944 at Amalienborg as the daughter of Frederik IX (d. 1972) and Queen Ingrid, born Princess of Sweden (d. 2000). HRH Princess Benedikte is included in the order of succession to the Throne and may act as regent when HM The King and HRH The Crown Prince are abroad.
Family
Christening and confirmation
The Princess was christened in Holmens Kirke (the naval church) in Copenhagen on 24 May 1944 and was confirmed in Fredensborg Palace Chapel on 1 April 1955.
Wedding
On 3 February 1968, Princess Benedikte married His Highness Prince Richard zu Sayn-Wittgenstein-Berleburg (d. 2017) in Fredensborg Palace Chapel. The Prince was born on 29 October 1934 as the son of Prince Gustav Albrecht zu Sayn-Wittgenstein-Berleburg (1907-1944), and Margareta Fouché, Princess Margareta zu Sayn-Wittgenstein-Berleburg.
Children and grandchildren
Gustav, Prince zu-Sayn-Wittgenstein-Berleburg, born on 12 January 1969, Alexandra, Princess zu Sayn-Wittgenstein-Berleburg, born on 20 November 1970, and Nathalie, Princess zu Sayn-Wittgenstein-Berleburg, born on 2 May 1975.
On 4 June 2022, HH Prince Gustav married Miss Carina Axelsson, who in connection with the marriage became HH Princess Carina. The couple have a son, HH Prince Gustav Albrecht zu Sayn-Wittgenstein-Berleburg, who was born on 26 May 2023.
On 6 June 1998, HH Princess Alexandra married Count Jefferson von Pfeil und Klein-Ellguth (b. 12 July 1967) at Graasten Palace. By marriage, The Princess became Countess von Pfeil und Klein-Ellguth. The couple have a son, Count Friedrich Richard Oscar Jefferson von Pfeil und Klein-Ellguth, who was born on 14 September 1999, and a daughter, Lady Ingrid Alexandra Irma Astrid Benedikte von Pfeil und Klein-Ellguth, born on 16 August 2003. On 18 May 2017, it was announced that Princess Alexandra and Count Jefferson had decided to separate. On 18 May 2019, The Princess was married to count, chamberlain Michael Preben Ahlefeldt-Laurvig-Bille (b. 26 February 1965).
HH Princess Nathalie was civilly married to Mr. Alexander Johannsmann on 27 May 2010, and they had a church wedding on 18 June 2011 in Berleburg. The couple has a son, Konstantin Gustav Heinrich Richard Johannsmann, who was born on 24 July 2010 and a daughter, Louisa Johannsmann, who was born on 28 January 2015. In 2022, it was announced that Princess Nathalie and Mr. Alexander Johannsmann had decided to separate.
Patronages and honorary memberships
Princess Benedikte is patron of many national organisations, institutions, and foundations and is an honorary member of various associations and societies.
Through the years, Princess Benedikte has received visits from children from Greenland in connection with a twinned-cities collaboration with the Municipality of Gentofte. The tradition began when the Princess was patron of the now-defunct Gentofte Greenland Committee.
Photo: Kongehuset ©
