Henrik: Prince of Denmark refuses to be buried next to his Queen

Prince Henrik of Denmark has announced he won't be buried next to his wife Queen Margrethe in protest at not being made her royal equal.

His announcement came as the couple's burial arrangements were revealed yesterday - although both Henrik, 83, and Margrethe, 77, are very much alive - leading him to be dubbed "the world's most bitter royal" by People and "Le Petty Prince".

Henrik has often spoken out about being designated "prince consort" when Margrethe ascended the throne in 1972 rather than "king consort".

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"It is no secret that the Prince for many years has been unhappy with his role and the title he has been awarded in the Danish monarchy. This discontent has grown more and more in recent years," Lene Balleby, spokeswoman for the Royal Danish House, told the country's BT tabloid.

"The decision not to be buried beside the Queen is the natural consequence of not having been treated equally to his spouse - by not having the title and role he has desired."

She added that the Queen accepted his decision.

Margrethe will be interred in the Roskilde Cathedral on the island of Zealand when she dies, in a sarcophagus made by Danish artist Bjorn Norgaard, says Sky News. It is not clear where Henrik will be buried, although it is expected to be in Denmark.

Henrik and Margrethe were married in 1967 and have two sons. The Prince renounced his official title when he retired from public life last year and now reportedly spends his time in his native France, although the couple are still married and officially live together.