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ROYAL FAMILY

Danish royal family feels pinch after Prince Henrik bereavement

The cost of Prince Henrik’s funeral meant that the Danish royal family did not cover its expenses in 2018.

Danish royal family feels pinch after Prince Henrik bereavement
Prince Henrik's funeral procession leaves Christiansborg Palace on February 20th, 2018. Photo: Mads Claus Rasmussen / Ritzau Scanpix

The palace’s income from the state of 81.6 million kroner was not enough to cover costs, and the royal family ended up with a loss of 1.6 million kroner for the year, according to the palace accounts, which were published on Thursday.

Prince Henrik’s funeral was cited as a primary reason for the financially precarious year.

The prince, who was the husband of Queen Margrethe, died on February 13th, 2018 aged 83 after several months of poor health.

Meanwhile, the 50th birthday celebrations of Crown Prince Frederik, who reached the milestone on May 26th last year, also represented a significant outlay for the palace.

Costs associated with the state visit of French president Emmanuel Macron were a further factor.

In its published report of the accounts, the palace writes that cuts were made to staff after Prince Henrik died, limiting the financial strain on the royals.

Approximately two third of palace expenses are spent on staff, with much of the remainder going towards maintenance of buildings, equipment, kitchens, laundry, transport and the many medals awarded annually by the Queen.

A total of 91 full and part-time staff were employed by the palace in 2018.

Balance between costs and income is expected to return in 2019, the palace said.

READ ALSO: Queen Margrethe thanks Danish public for support following Prince Henrik's funeral

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ROYAL FAMILY

Danish queen out of hospital after back surgery

Denmark's Queen Margrethe II was discharged from hospital on Thursday after back surgery last week though a full recovery is expected to last months, the Danish Royal House announced.

Danish queen out of hospital after back surgery

The 82-year-old, Europe’s longest reigning monarch, underwent a “major” back operation last Wednesday at Rigshospitalet, the country’s largest
hospital.

“The medical team responsible for the operation and the subsequent hospitalisation is satisfied with the process and with The Queen’s condition,”
the court said in a statement.

The Danish monarch is now staying at her palace in Amalienborg and will undergo “a lengthy physical rehabilitation process, which may extend over the
next few months”, the court warned.

Crown Prince Frederik will “continue as regent for the time being.”

The palace had already announced that a number of events in its official programme would be postponed, cancelled or attended by other members of the
royal family as a result of her operation.

The exact nature of the operation has not been specified. The queen had undergone a lumbar canal operation 20 years ago.

The queen, who was widowed in 2018, is extremely popular in Denmark. More than 80 percent of Danes say they support the monarchy, with thousands turning out to celebrate her 50th anniversary on the throne last year.

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