So, CP Mary is appointed a regent w/ the assumption that she will be in Denmark and her husband and mother-in-law is abroad. Therefore, you are saying that Henrik never stayed at home in Denmark when his wife traveled abroad? Toward the end of his life, Henrik was staying in another country in Egypt while his wife was on a state visit in another part of Africa.
In that part his life, Henrik would not have been fit to be regent anyway.
When Queen Margrethe travelled abroad her husband usually was with her so it would not have been practical to appoint him regent as he was not in Denmark either.
I wonder why Henrik was never given regent status? Perhaps the regent status, if it had been granted to Henrik, would have placated his desire to be the 'king consort' of Denmark.
What exactly is the regent's duties? Does a regent sign bills into law, i.e., give royal assent? Meet gov't leaders or diplomats, etc?
Today Crown Princess Mary has been appointed as regent in case her mother-in-law Queen Margrethe is absent/abroad or when her husband, Crown Prince Frederik is also absent/abroad.
See announcement on the Danish Royal Website:
http://kongehuset.dk/nyheder/hkh-kronprinsessen-bliver-rigsforstander Photo: Keld Navntoft, Kongehuset ©
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