Count Christian af Rosenborg (1942-2013

Celebrating the birth of newborn Prince Christian, 1942  (Marlene A. Eilers Koenig collection)
 

Count Christian Frederik Franz Knud Harald Carl Oluf Gustav Georg Erik af Rosenborg,  youngest child of the late Hereditary Prince Knud and Hereditary Princess Caroline Mathilde of Denmark, died on May 21, 2013 at the Gentofe Hospital in Copenhagen.  He was 70 years old.

He was born at Sorgenfri Palace on October 22, 1942 as His Highness Prince Christian of Denmark.   At the time of his birth, he was fourth in line to the Danish throne after Crown Prince Frederik,  Prince Knud and his elder son, Prince Ingolf.   The Danish succession law was changed in 1953 to allow the inclusion of female heirs.   This law would have a great affect on the lives of Prince Knud and his family.

After the law was changed,  King Frederi IX's three daughters, Margrethe, Benedikte and Anne Marie moved ahead of Knud and his two sons and daughter.  Christian position fell from third to sixth position.

In 1971, he chose to forfeit his dynastic rights when he married without the consent of the King.   Prince Christian was given the title of Count af Rosenborg.  His elder brother, Prince Ingolf, also renounced his rights when he married three years earlier.

Count Christian's bride, was a Danish commoner, Anne-Dorthe Maltoft-Nielsen.  The couple were married on February 27, 1971.
King Frederik did give his private consent to the marriage.

Count Christian is survived by his widow, Countess Anne-Dorthe, three daughters, Countess Josephine, Countess Camilla, and Countess Feodora,  seven grandchildren, and his older sister, HH Princess Elisabeth and older brother, Count Ingolf.

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