The Crown Prince of Denmark Frederik and Princess Mary, born in Australia, have decided to remove their eldest son, Prince Christian, from their boarding school after being shaken by a school bullying scandal.
The royal couple announced the move following allegations of abuse at Herlufsholm School, one of the most elitist boarding schools in the country.
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The duo acted after the publication of a preliminary decision by the Danish National Agency for Education and Quality which issued a “particularly harsh criticism” of the school.
“As we said earlier, we are deeply shocked by the reports that have come out recently about Herlufsholm,” Mary and Frederik said in a statement.
Prince Frederik and Princess Mary attend a reception on June 21, 2022 in The Hague. Credit: Patrick van Katwijk / Getty Images
“We have also made it clear that, as parents of a child at school, we expect the school to do what it has to do to correct the unacceptable conditions.
“The information in the recently published preliminary decision of the National Agency for Education and Quality directs a particularly harsh criticism of a state authority against Herlufsholm and puts demands on the school at various levels, especially in the leadership level “.
Prince Frederik and Princess Mary accompany Prince Christian on his first day in Herlufsholm. Credit: Keld Navntoft / Kongehuset
Along with Christian, 16, who ranks second on the throne of Denmark, his sister Isabella, 15, also went to Herlufsholm boarding school.
This will no longer happen.
“The question about the choice of the school of our son Christian and our daughter Isabella has been very important to us, and the unfortunate affair has caused many and strong opinions among the public,” said Mary and Frederik.
“This is completely understandable when it comes to the well-being of children and young people.
“At the same time, it has been important to maintain our basic idea that important decisions must be made in an informed way. We now have that basis.
“It has been a difficult process for us as a family, but based on the big picture and our special position as a couple of Crown Prince, we have chosen that Prince Christian will stop in Herlufsholm and that Princess Elizabeth don’t start 9th grade at school after the summer holidays.
“During the summer, we, together with our children, will make a decision about their future choice of schools.
“With thoughts on the many students who will continue in Herlufsholm, we hope the school will now have more peace to ensure the necessary changes and succeed in creating a culture in which everyone thrives and feels safe,” he concluded. the statement.
Prince Christian started school in August. Credit: Keld Navntoft / Kongehuset
“We support your choice of high school”
Christian began his studies in August 2021 at the boarding school 80 km from Copenhagen.
In August, when Prince Christian began in Herlufsholm, he set out with his proud parents.
Prince Christian is the first future king to attend school, but the Danish royal family does have previous ties to the institution.
Prince Christian is the first future king to attend Herlufsholm. Credit: Keld Navntoft / Kongehuset
According to Princess Mary, Prince Christian chose Herlufsholm himself after finishing his studies at Tranegårdskolen in Gentofte, where he attended the first grade in the ninth.
“We support your choice of high school,” the Australian-born princess told local media in August.
But an explosive documentary, aired in May, revealed claims of “systematic harassment” and a “culture of abuse and violence” at the school.
Princess Elizabeth, Prince Christian, Princess Josephine, Crown Princess Mary, Prince Vincent and Crown Prince Frederik. Credit: Ole Jensen / Getty Images
One alumnus explained how it was “a normal practice for older students to beat younger ones.”
Staff were also reported to have turned a blind eye to ongoing incidents.
The documentary looked at the “violence and rapes” that had allegedly taken place in Herlufsholm over the past 30 years.
The school has announced the launch of an “independent investigation” on its website.
Princess Elizabeth will no longer attend Herlufsholm. Credit: Ole Jensen / Getty Images
‘Tearing’
Following the broadcast of the documentary, Prince Frederik and Princess Mary issued a statement on the “heartbreaking” allegations.
“As parents of a child going to Herlufsholm, we are deeply shocked by the testimonies that appear in the current documentary about the school,” they said.
“It is heartbreaking to hear about systematic harassment and about the culture of abuse and violence of which many have been a part,” the statement says.
“This is completely unacceptable.”
The couple ended the message with a call to action, demanding changes.
Crown Princess Maria of Denmark delivers a speech in September 2021. Credit: Emanuele Cremaschi / Getty Images
“As parents, we hope the school will effectively ensure a culture where everyone is safe and part of the community, and in the near future we will follow the changes that are obviously needed.”
The report led to the dismissal of the school principal and the planned reforms.
Over the weekend, the entire management resigned in response to a critical report from the Danish education authority threatening to demand the return of state funding.
Herlufsholm has until August 8 to respond to the report.
– with the German Press Agency
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