Frederik and Mary from Denmark take children from boarding school
Shocking details about the elite boarding school Herlufsholm have been circulating for weeks.
Now the Danish Royals have drawn consequences.
At the end of March, the royal family announced that Princess Isabella would also attend the boarding school Herlufsholm Gymnasium in Naestved from the summer. Her brother Prince Christian has been going to school there for the past year. But now the Danish royals have announced that the 16-year-old will leave school and that his sister will not start school there in the summer as planned.
violence, bullying and sexual abuse
The reason for this decision is the grievances at the Danish boarding school. The broadcaster TV2 had revealed cases of physical violence, bullying and sexual abuse at the school in a documentary released in early May called “Herlufsholms hemmeligheder” (in English: “The Secrets of Herlufsholm”). In it, several former students report hurtful experiences. Older students are said to have attacked the younger ones, especially at night, and beat them up, among other things.
After that, the headmaster of the boarding school was dismissed and comprehensive reforms were announced. This weekend, the entire board finally resigned, as the school announced on broadcaster DR.
The boarding school reacted to a new report by the Danish school supervisory authority, which sharply criticized the body and threatened sanctions. For example, it was suggested that the school should pay back its government grants. The school has until August 8 to respond to the authority’s proposals.
The royal family had previously reacted with open criticism. As Christian’s parents, one was deeply shocked to hear about systematic bullying and a culture of insults and violence at the educational institution, Crown Prince Frederik and Crown Princess Mary announced in May. As parents, they expected the school to create a culture where everyone felt safe and part of the community. Now they are reemphasizing the need for culture change.
It is not known which school Christian and Isabella will go to. Herlufsholm High School is about an hour’s drive from Amalienborg Palace, where the family lives. The 14-year-old is currently attending the Tranegårdskolen near Copenhagen.
