The Australian-born royal and her husband, Prince Frederik of Denmark, issued a statement over an ‘unfortunate matter’. The decision to remove their oldest son, Prince Christian, from his boarding school came from Denmark’s Crown Prince Frederik and Australian-born Princess Mary.
The royal couple made the announcement in response to allegations of mistreatment at Herlufsholm School, one of the most exclusive boarding institutions in the nation. The two took action in response to the publication of a preliminary judgment from Denmark’s National Agency for Education and Quality, which gave the institution “particularly harsh critique.”
“As we have previously stated, we are deeply shaken by the reports that have come out about Herlufsholm recently,” Mary and Frederik said in a statement.
“We have also made it clear that, as parents of a child at the school, we expect that the school will do what it must do to rectify the unacceptable conditions.
“The information in the just-released preliminary decision from the National Agency for Education and Quality directs a particularly harsh critique from a state authority against Herlufsholm and places demands on the school at several levels, not least the leadership level.”
His sister Isabella, 15, was also scheduled to attend Herlufsholm boarding school together with Christian, 16, who is second in line for Denmark’s throne.
That won’t take place any more.
“The question about our son Christian’s and our daughter Isabella’s choice of school has been very important for us, and the unfortunate matter has brought many and strong opinions into play in the public,” Mary and Frederik said.
“That is completely understandable when it deals with the well-being of children and young people.
“At the same time, it has been important to stand by our basic idea that major decisions must be made on an informed basis. We now have that basis.
“It has been a difficult process for us as a family, but, based on the overall picture and our special position as Crown Prince Couple, we have chosen that Prince Christian will stop at Herlufsholm and that Princess Isabella will not start in 9th class at the school after the summer holiday.
“During the summer, we, together with our children, will make a decision about their future choice of schools.
“With thoughts about the many students who will continue at Herlufsholm, it is our hope that the school now gets more peace to ensure the necessary changes and succeeds in creating a culture in which all thrive and feel safe,” statement ended.
‘We support his choice of high school’
Christian started his studies at the boarding school 80 kilometers outside of Copenhagen in August 2021.
As per 7news, Prince Christian posed on the grounds with his pleased parents in August when he started school at Herlufsholm.
The Danish royal family has had prior ties to the school, but Prince Christian is the first future monarch to enroll there.
Princess Mary claims that after completing his studies at Tranegårdskolen in Gentofte, where he went from grade one through grade nine, Prince Christian made the decision to attend Herlufsholm on his own.
“We support his choice of high school,” the Australian-born princess told local media in August.
But an explosive documentary, aired in May, revealed claims of “systematic bullying” and a “culture of abuse and violence” at the school.
It was “normal practice for older students to beat the younger ones,” as one former student explained.
Additionally, it was claimed that staff members ignored recurring problems.
The film examined the “violence and violations” that were purported to have occurred at Herlufsholm over the previous 30 years.
On its website, the school has declared the launch of an “independent investigation.”
‘Heartbreaking’
Prince Frederik and Princess Mary issued a statement regarding the “heartbreaking” charges after the documentary’s airing.
“As parents of a child who goes to Herlufsholm, we are deeply shaken by the testimonies that appear in the current documentary about the school,” they said.
“It is heartbreaking to hear about systematic bullying and about the culture of abuse and violence that many have been a part of,” the statement said.
“That is completely unacceptable.”
The couple finished the message with a call to action, demanding changes.
“As parents, we expect the school to effectively ensure a culture where everyone is safe and part of the community, and we will in the coming time follow the changes that are obviously necessary.”
The director of the school was fired as a result of the investigation, and reforms were also anticipated.
The entire directorate quit over the weekend in reaction to a damning report from Denmark’s educational authority that implied that state funding would need to be repaid.
The response to the report must be made by Herlufsholm by August 8.
