Royals

Princess Mary and Prince Frederik’s bold parenting move in the wake of harrowing school bullying claims

They were "deeply shaken" by the claims earlier this year.
Loading the player...

Crown princess Mary and Crown Prince Frederik of Denmark have made major changes to their children’s studies following a divisive bullying scandal at their eldest son’s school.

The royal couple announced on Sunday that Prince Christian and their eldest daughter, Princess Isabella, will be enrolled in new schools following the controversy.

The news comes just weeks after Mary and her husband pulled Christian, 16, out of Herlufsholm Boarding School after allegations of widespread bullying made headlines.

Now they have decided to send him and Isabella, who was due to start at the school in the coming months, elsewhere and will likely follow suit with their two youngest.

Prince Frederik and Princess Mary pose with Prince Christian at Herlufsholm.

(Image: Instagram)

The decision was made after “the Crown Prince’s family’s deliberations during the summer”, according to a statement from the Palace.

When the summer break ends, Christian will begin the new school year at Ordrup Gymnasium (Ordrup High School) in Gentofte, north of Copenhagen.

Meanwhile his sister will begin her senior education at Ingrid Jespersens Gymnasieskole (Ingrid Jespersen’s High School) in Copenhagen.

The siblings were originally meant to complete their senior studies together at Herlufsholm Boarding School, where Christian is a year ahead of his sister.

WATCH: The Crown Prince family share a rare video from COVID-19 isolation

Loading the player...

However claims emerged in May of “systematic bullying” and a “culture of abuse and violence” at the institution, which left Mary and Frederik “deeply shaken.”

“As parents of a child who goes to Herlufsholm, we are deeply shaken by the testimonies that have emerged in the current documentary about the school,” they said in a statement at the time.

“It is heartbreaking to hear about systematic bullying and about the culture of abuse and violence that many have been a part of. That is completely unacceptable.

“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 couple will send Christian and Isabella elsewhere and will likely follow suit with their two youngest.

(Image: Getty)

The bullying allegations were exposed by a Danish TV documentary and led the couple to later announce they were “questioning” their children’s places at Herlufsholm Boarding School.

“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,” the couple said in a joint statement in June.

Now they have confirmed Christian, 16, and Isabella, 15, will continue their education at two new schools, with their younger siblings Prince Vincent and Princess Josephine expected to follow suit in the years to come.

Related stories