A royal couple has decided to take their son out of his prestigious boarding school after it was hit with bullying allegations.
Crown Prince Frederik and Crown Princess Mary of Denmark have confirmed their 16-year-old son Prince Christian, who is second in line to the throne, will no longer be attending Herlufsholm Boarding School, south of Copenhagen.
They also revealed that their daughter Princess Isabella, 15, would not join the school as planned after the summer holidays.
It comes as the school, described as Denmark's version of Eton, was subject to a TV documentary in the country where former pupils alleged they were subject to bullying and abuse.
After it was broadcast, the school's head teacher was sacked and his successor issued an "unreserved" apology.
Prince Christian, a grandson of Queen Margrethe of Denamrk, is not in any way connected to the allegations but his parents Prince Frederik and Australian-born Princess Mary issued a joint statement on his education.
It read: "The question about our son Christian's and our daughter Isabella's choice of school has been very important for us, and the unfortunate matter has brought many and strong opinions into play in the public.
"That is completely understandable when it deals with the well-being of children and young people. At the same time, it has been important to stand by our basic idea that major decisions must be made on an informed basis. We now have that basis.
"It has been a difficult process for us as a family, but, based on the overall picture and our special position as Crown Prince Couple, we have chosen that Prince Christian will stop at Herlufsholm and that Princess Isabella will not start in 9th class at the school after the summer holiday.
"During the summer, we, together with our children, will make a decision about their future choice of schools. With thoughts about the many students who will continue at Herlufsholm, it is our hope that the school now gets more peace to ensure the necessary changes and succeeds in creating a culture in which all thrive and feel safe."
According to The Times, the royal couple had little choice but to take their son out of the school after Denmark's national schools watchdog found its "rules and traditions had resulted in entrenched hierarchies that privileged some students and ostracised others".
The couple, who have two other children Prince Vincent and Princess Josephine, added in their statement: "The information in the just-released preliminary decision from the National Agency for Education and Quality directs a particularly harsh critique from a state authority against Herlufsholm and places demands on the school at several levels, not least the leadership level."
The school has been given until next month to respond to the report.
