Thanks, Izzie.
Nikolai and Felix gave a
very long interview to Billed Bladet, published this week.
The interviewers being Marianne Singer and Ulrik Ulriksen.
This is the ultra-short version- of part one. Pert two will be published next week.
Nikolai is aware that he is the oldest of QMII's grandchildren and that gives him some experience in relation to his younger cousins and siblings.
They have fond memories from Schackenborg. Felix is still in contact with some of those he went to the local kindergarten with.
Sometimes they attend a hunt at Schackenborg.
They often go there in the spring and when they do, they go cycling. Which includes popping over the border to Germany to do some shopping for sweets. (Something most Jutlanders do from time to time. The border-trade is alive and well.)
When Alexandra's parents lived at Schackenborg they often had breakfast with them. They couldn't speak Danish, so N&F learned English early on.
The divorce between Joachim and Alexandra went pretty smooth for the boys, Felix hardly noticed any difference, being so young.
They regularly see onkel Frederik - and the rest of their family on both sides.
They loved their grandpapa Henrik very much and were often invited to Fredensborg for lunch with him, where they could talk with him about everything.
The have a fantastic relationship with Marie. As well as their younger siblings. They can hardly fathom that Henrik is now 13!
They supported their mother when she divorced Martin Jørgensen, but otherwise don't go into further details about him.
It was of course a shock when Joachim had his stroke, but they were able to get support from primarily their mother but also Marie.
Joachim has changed his habits after his stroke, with more emphasis on exercise. He goes for a long walk every morning.
Both of them don't feel they have had a troubled time as teenagers. They just lived through that time. Nikolai being at Herlufshom for four years and as such being away from home from very early on.
Their royal status hasn't played a role in their friendships.
Nor have they ever felt an urge to rebel. Felix did shave his head after graduating from high school, something his mother wasn't that happy about, but it wasn't to spite her, it was just something he did for fun.
Nikolai and Benedikte moved to Paris in 2021. That his father lived there did play a role. There he had lunch with J&M every Sunday. Otherwise he babysitted for his younger siblings.
Felix has considered moving abroad too, but nowhere particular.
Nikolai and Benedikte met at Herlufsholm where they first became good friends and from that it developed into a relationship.
- More next week.
They strike me a nice well-mannered, bright young men, who don't appear to have any particular issues - and apart from Martin Jørgensen - give the impression of having had a pretty happy upbringing.
- Or they are bright enough to convincingly convey that impression.
They tell a lot, without really revealing that much. If you get my meaning.