Prince Henrik of Denmark has died at the age of 83.
The Danish royal – who was the husband of Denmark’s Queen Margrethe II – has passed away after having been in hospital for a lung infection, the Danish Royal Family have confirmed in a statement.
They said: "His Royal Highness Prince Henrik died on Tuesday, February 13, at 11.18pm quietly at Fredensborg Palace. The Prince was surrounded by Her Majesty the Queen and their two sons."
Prince Henrik was admitted to hospital on January 28 for the lung infection, which began during a private trip to Egypt, and during which a benign tumour was found.
Shortly before his death, he was transferred from a Copenhagen hospital back to the castle, north of the city, where he had wanted to spend "his final time".
The Prince had retired from royal duties in 2016 before being diagnosed with dementia in September 2017.
He was the subject of controversy after marrying Queen Margrethe II in 1967, as he made no secret of the fact he was unhappy that his title was not changed to King when she ascended to the throne in 1972.
Last year, he claimed he did not wish to be buried beside his wife when she passes away – which is tradition in Denmark – as he insisted she didn’t treat him as an equal during their marriage.
In August, the palace’s communications chief, Lene Balleby said: "It is no secret that the prince for many years has been unhappy with his role and the title he has been awarded in the Danish monarchy. This discontent has grown more and more in recent years.
"For the prince, the decision not to buried beside the queen is the natural consequence of not having been treated equally to his spouse – by not having the title and role he has desired."
Royal couples are traditionally buried together in Roskilde Cathedral, west of Copenhagen, but as of the time of writing, it is unknown where Prince Henrik will be laid to rest.
Prince Henrik of Denmark has died
