Princess Marie marks 50th birthday

Princess Marie of Denmark is marking her 50th birthday today.

The Princess will celebrate privately with her family in Washington, D.C., where her husband currently works for the Danish Embassy.

Marie Agathe Odile Cavallier was born on 6 February 1976 in Paris, France, and was raised in France and Switzerland, where she moved after her parents’ divorce.

Aside from her European studies, she also studied in the United States and later worked for the beauty brand Estée Lauder. The future royal worked in advertising until she married into the Danish Royal Family.

Marie met Prince Joachim of Denmark, the younger son of Queen Margrethe and Prince Henrik, in the early 2000s. Their engagement was announced in October 2007, and they married on 24 May 2008 in Møgeltønder Church. She then gained the title of Her Royal Highness Princess Marie of Denmark.

At the time, Denmark did not allow dual citizenship, so the French-born princess had to renounce her French citizenship before obtaining Danish citizenship. She also converted from Roman Catholicism to the Church of Denmark.

Together, Prince Joachim and Princess Marie have two children, Count Henrik and Countess Athena. Marie is also a stepmother to Joachim’s two children, Counts Nikoali and Felix, from his first marriage to Countess Alexandra.

Princess Marie and her family now reside in Washington, D.C., where Prince Joachim serves as defence industry attaché and the Deputy Defence Attaché.