In a new interview, the man who could have been the king of Denmark reveals he never even thinks about how his life could have been so different.
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The now 80-year-old Count Ingolf was born Prince Ingolf of Denmark, and was the eldest son of Prince Knud, brother to the now deceased King Frederick IX, the father of Queen Margrethe.
In an earlier time, Ingolf would have ascended to the throne as head of the Danish monarchy. However, in 1953 an Act of Succession was passed meaning King Frederick’s daughters could succeed him. Instead of Prince Knud becoming king – followed eventually by his son, Ingolf – Margrethe became the country’s first female monarch.
In doing so she paved the way for Crown Princess Mary to eventually become queen, when son Frederik ascends the throne in the future.
“No!” says Count Ingolf when asked if he ever thinks about what it would have been like to be king. “Actually never,” he continues, adding: “It is like it is and it’s not something I dig into or spend time thinking about.”
“One should not dwell on things that cannot be changed,” says the count, who renounced his title as prince in 1968 when he married a non-royal. He married without King Frederick’s permission, assuming he wouldn’t receive it.
His father reportedly tried to convince the king to allow Ingolf to retain his royal title after the marriage, but Frederick refused.
If he was still eligible, the count would be 12th in line to the Danish throne.
Over the years he has continued to carry out official engagements and reportedly still receives a royal allowance. He often attends major royal events such as the 2004 marriage of Prince Frederik and Mary.
But his life has been very different for Ingolf from the lives of his royal relations. He has worked as a farmer and doesn’t live in a palace.
“I ended up in Jutland because it was the only place I could afford at the time. I’d had my eyes on an estate on Funen Island, but it was a bit too expensive, so I had to expand my radius a bit,” he explains.
His first wife, Inge, died in 1996, and the count never imagined he’d find another partner. But when his mother had died the year before, Ingolf met Sussie Hjorhøy, a lawyer helping administrate the family’s inheritance. They married in 1998.
He says of their relationship: “None of us thought that such a thing could happen for us. We were fortunate to meet each other and our marriage has always been lovely. We are very grateful.”
Now 80, and having recently suffered ill-health, Ingolf is determined to continue to enjoy life for as long as possible.
He’s looking forward to Queen Margrethe’s 80th birthday on April 16 and hopes to celebrate with her.
“It’s lovely to attend these parties,” he says.
“With age it gets harder and harder to regain your strength, but I do what I can and with the help from Sussie I will succeed. She takes such good care of me”.
To read more, pick up this week’s issue of New Idea, on sale now.
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