What Marge did was ice cold… and I admire her for it. She ripped the band aid off come what may.
I found the responses quite irritating and off putting, such as Athena being bullied at school, considering this change had already been on the table.
But… there are no winners in this. They were flying high on those titles, but they were also flying pretty much under the radar and there was really no need to do it the way it happened, while I do understand where Marge was coming from (Late QE II funeral, struck with covid, prospect of Frederik being …. a weak successor).
She alienated the Schacks and Marie‘s absence from the New Year‘s banquet was quite noticeable. I suspect she (and possibly Joachim) will show up less or be more selective. Marge is now stuck with the Derfs and their kids. I reserve my final judgement until they (kids) start doing royal work but I don‘t have high hopes.
When Marge is gone, and Benedikte is gone, it will be plain Derfs only. Good luck with that.
There won't be any kids doing royal work, except Christian.
The last statement, before she removed the titles, was that Christian and his descendants will be the only ones getting an apanage from the DRF, as he is the heir's heir. The other 3 (Izzy and the twins) will have to find their own jobs. Hence, Yrma's remark that removing their titles will be something that they intend to discuss "when the time comes" when Frederik gets the throne.
And I don't believe for a minute that Fred & Yrma will remove their HRH titles and make them count and countesses XXX. And if they do they'll at all, they will receive a Danish count title for sure. There are several Danish dormant ones to choose from.
Initially, it was agreed upon for the Schack's kiddos to lose their HH titles at age 25 or when they marry. They were never in the public purse, they didn't cost the royal house a penny. So for many Danes, it didn't and doesn't make sense to remove/change the titles to what they are now. A fictitious French one. Per their heritage, it would have been appropriate to give them either the Rosenborg title (which was done previously for any Danish Royal who lost their HRH title) or any other Danish count/countess-dom that would still link them to the Danish Royal Family.
Montepezat is nothing. That title was added to all to appease Henrik Sr.
My gut tells me Yrma (via Fred) was very much involved in this charade and pushed for the title change to be made now, so Fred won't have to deal with it. Yrma is quite smart in a manipulative way. She always detested Joachim, and in connection Marie as well. From day one. It's the same way the twins came about, creating a much-needed distance to the throne for the Schacks. A seventh in line is much further down the road than being 3rd in line to the throne (Joachim, and his family)
