Princess Marie of Denmark Announces Family's Return to Homeland

After 3 years in the US, the Danish royal family plans to move back to Denmark in 2027.

Published on Feb. 5, 2026

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Princess Marie of Denmark has revealed that she and her family, including her husband Prince Joachim and their children, will be moving back to Denmark from the United States in 2027. The family has been living in Washington, D.C. since 2023, where Prince Joachim works as a defense industry attaché at the Danish embassy. Princess Marie expressed excitement about returning to her work and patronages in Denmark, as well as allowing her children to complete their schooling back home.

Why it matters

The announcement comes after tensions within the Danish royal family in 2022, when Queen Margrethe stripped Prince Joachim's children of their royal titles. This decision was seen as an effort to slim down the monarchy, but it caused a rift between the queen and her son's family. The planned return to Denmark suggests the family is looking to move past this controversy and re-establish their ties to the kingdom.

The details

Princess Marie, who turns 50 this week, said the family plans to return to Denmark in August 2027 so that her son Count Henrik can finish high school first. Her daughter Countess Athena is expected to complete her schooling back in Denmark. The family previously lived in Paris for three years before moving to the US in 2023 for Prince Joachim's diplomatic posting.

  • Princess Marie announced the family's plans in an interview published on February 5, 2026.
  • The family expects to return to Denmark in August 2027.

The players

Princess Marie of Denmark

The wife of Prince Joachim, the younger son of Queen Margrethe II of Denmark. She and her family have been living in the United States since 2023.

Prince Joachim

The younger son of Queen Margrethe II of Denmark, who has been working as a defense industry attaché at the Danish embassy in Washington, D.C. since 2023.

Queen Margrethe II of Denmark

The former Queen of Denmark, who abdicated in favor of her eldest son, King Frederik, in 2024. In 2022, she stripped Prince Joachim's children of their royal titles.

King Frederik of Denmark

The current King of Denmark, who ascended to the throne in 2024 after his mother, Queen Margrethe II, abdicated.

Count Henrik

The son of Prince Joachim and Princess Marie, who will finish high school in the United States before the family returns to Denmark.

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What they’re saying

“I'm looking forward to getting back to my work and my patronages. And getting back to Denmark. And what happens after that, time will tell. We are really looking forward to it. It has been really exciting to be out of the country and be able to support Denmark abroad.”

— Princess Marie of Denmark (BILLED-BLADET)

“The fact that they are here gives me the peace and ballast to be able to give 110 per cent to the effort here. They are really challenged in a great way, and it's something they enjoy. I think that if I look at the very long term, four years in Paris [and then] over here, I think that will be well spent, and I also think that they will thank me for that – one day.”

— Prince Joachim (DK)

What’s next

The family plans to return to Denmark in August 2027 after Count Henrik finishes high school in the United States.

The takeaway

The planned return of Princess Marie and Prince Joachim's family to Denmark suggests an effort to heal the rift within the royal family after the controversial stripping of their children's royal titles. This move could help reestablish the family's ties to the Danish monarchy and allow the children to complete their education back in their home country.