Denmark's Prince Henrik admitted to hospital during holiday with royal family in France

Less than two weeks after saying he does not want to be buried next to his wife, Prince Henrik of Denmark was admitted to hospital. The 83-year-old husband of Queen Margrethe II was enjoying a summer holiday with the royal family when he was taken to the Rigshospitalet in Copenhagen.

The palace on Monday (14 August) said the prince was admitted to hospital after suffering pain in his right leg, Hello Magazine reported.

"The reason for the hospitalisation is progressive pain following surgery the prince had in mid-July, when the prince's right groin was operated on and balloon angioplasty was performed in his right pelvic artery," the palace said.

Prince Henrik is not expected to undergo any additional surgery, according to the statement. It is unknown when he will be discharged.

The Danish royal's stint in hospital comes amidst some controversial comments he made to Danish newspaper Billed Bladet. Henrik accused his wife of not showing him respect and highlighted his lifelong desire to be made King Consort.

"My wife has decided that she would like to be Queen, and I'm very pleased with that; but as a person, she must know that if a man and a woman are married, then they are equal. My wife hasn't shown me the respect an ordinary wife should show her spouse," he said.

Henrik also added that he did not want to be buried next to his wife at Roskilde Cathedral. "I didn't marry the Queen to get buried at Roskilde," he said. "It's my wife and not me that can do anything about this matter. If she wants me buried with her, she has to make me King Consort."

The palace confirmed that Henrik had requested not to be buried at the cathedral, Hello Magazine reported.

"The Queen has for some time been familiar with the decision of His Royal Highness and acknowledges the decision. The Prince's decision does not change the Queen's funeral plans," the palace said in a statement.