Queen Margrethe of Denmark’s niece finalises her divorce
Queen Margrethe of Denmark’s niece Princess Nathalie of Sayn-Wittgenstein-Berleburg has finalised her divorce from her husband Alexander Johannsmann after 12 years of marriage.
The Olympic equestrian, 47, who is not in the line of succession for the Danish throne, already confirmed her separation from her 44-year-old partner – but now it’s been made official, the Royal Court of Denmark confirmed to Billed Bladet.
Nathalie is the third child and youngest daughter of Princess Benedikte of Denmark, who is the younger sister of Queen Margrethe, and Richard, 6th Prince of Sayn-Wittgenstein-Berleburg.
She and her German horse breeder husband share two children together, Konstantin Gustav Heinrich Richard, 12, who is Princess Mary of Denmark’s godson, and Louisa Margareta Benedikte Hanna, seven.
Queen Margrethe of Denmark’s niece Princess Nathalie of Sayn-Wittgenstein-Berleburg has finalised her divorce from her husband Alexander Johannsmann (pictured) after 12 years of marriage
The Olympic equestrian (pictured), 47, who is not in the line of succession for the Danish throne, already confirmed her separation from her 44-year-old partner – but now it’s been made official, the Royal Court of Denmark confirmed to Billed Bladet
Nathalie is the third child and youngest daughter of Princess Benedikte of Denmark, who is the younger sister of Queen Margrethe, and Richard, 6th Prince of Sayn-Wittgenstein-Berleburg. Pictured, Nathalie and Alexander’s family during their wedding day
The parents have already both agreed on having joint custody of their two children, according to Royal Central.
Nathalie, who now coaches other dressage riders, has competed in several Olympics on behalf of Denmark, winning a bronze in 2008, and placing fourth in 2012.
She also owns a stud farm in Germany, and it was through their mutual love of horses that she met her husband, who is also a breeder and competitive show jumper.
In January 2006, Alexander picked up Nathalie’s horse, Fantast, in Berleburg to drive it to Aarhus for a horse show.
‘I was in Berleburg at seven in the morning, and Nathalie was ready with the horse. I thought she was a horse keeper. I had no idea she was a princess,’ Alexander told Billed Bladet in 2010.
Nathalie (pictured in 2008), who now coaches other dressage riders, has competed in several Olympics on behalf of Denmark, winning a bronze in 2008, and placing fourth in 2012
Their May 2010 civil ceremony made headlines in Denmark, coming just two months before the arrival of their first child. Their religious ceremony took place a year later on 18 June 2011.
Nathalie forgot her bouquet at her wedding so ended up waiting outside the church for 10 minutes while someone fetched it for her when she married Alexander in 2010.
She wore an elegant ‘60s style dress by designer Henrik Hviid, featuring lace detailing. She donned the Khedive of Egypt tiara, which was first worn by her great-grandmother, Princess Margaret of Connaught, for her wedding to future King Gustaf VI Adolf of Sweden in 1905.
It has been sported by all of Margaret’s female descendants when tying the knot.
Nathalie and her two older siblings, Prince Gustav and Princess Alexandra, grew up at Berleburg Castle in Germany, the homeland of their father.
This meant they weren’t entitled to the Serene Highness styling of their Danish cousins and aren’t included in the line of succession because Danish law states that any royals must have been raised in Denmark to be included.
