The French-born prince, husband of Denmark’s Queen Margrethe, died on Tuesday evening.
ADVERTISEMENTDenmark's Prince Henrik — who had been suffering from dementia — has died aged 83, it’s been announced.
The Royal House said the French-born prince, husband of the Queen of Denmark, passed away on Tuesday night at Fredensborg Castle.
Its statement read: “His Royal Highness Prince Henrik died peacefully in his sleep Tuesday 13 February at 11.18pm, at Fredensborg Palace.
“Her Majesty the Queen and the two sons were at his side.”
Henrik had been hospitalised after falling ill during a private trip to Egypt. He was diagnosed with a benign tumour two weeks ago.
He sparked controversy last year when he announced he did not wish to be buried next to the Queen, breaking 459 years of tradition. He’d claimed he was unhappy she had never acknowledged him as her equal.
Shortly after, the palace announced that Prince Henrik was suffering from dementia.
After a 2009 Danish referendum supported gender equality in royal succession, Henrik said: "I hope that men will be as equal as girls," spurring further debate and briefly finding support in parliament in favour of allowing Prince Henrik the title of king.
But no legislation was ever passed.
Both loved and criticised by the Danes for his aristocratic manner, best exemplified by his colorful clothes and thick French accent, in recent years Henrik found support particularly amongst the Danish youth for breaking with the Danish norms of cultural uniformity.
In 2016, the Prince renounced his title of Prince Consort and retired from his official duties. Thereafter he spent much of his time at his private vineyard in Château de Cayx, France, although he remained married to the Queen and was officially still living with her.
Known for his love of wine and food, the Prince was also a passionate artist, producing several poems, sculptures and cooking books.
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