Queen Margrethe of Denmark has defended the 'difficult' decision to strip her grandchildren of their titles, insisting her family are her 'pride and joy.'

The Daily Mail reports a bitter royal row within the Danish Royal Household has unfolded in recent days after Margrethe, 82, announced on Wednesday that she would be removing princely titles from Prince Nikolai, 23, Prince Felix, 20, Prince Henrik, 13, and Princess Athena, 10.

As of January 1 2023, they will become Counts and Countesses, and will be known as Their Excellencies, rather than His or Her Royal Highness. 

The Queen released a statement online, writing the decision was 'a long time coming' and it had been made as 'a Queen, mother and grandmother.'

Read the full report here. 

Photo: SheThePeople