With a warm embrace, King Frederik welcomed widow Ulla Thornit during the memorial service for former court chief Per Thornit on Thursday afternoon. The event took place at Holmens Church in Copenhagen and gathered many significant figures. Among the attendees were Queen Mary, Prince Joachim, and Princess Mary, all showing their support for the bereaved family.
Per Thornit, who played a central role in the Danish royal family for many years, passed away on July 30 at the age of 82. His close relationship with King Frederik and Prince Joachim was evident as they bid farewell to their former friend and advisor.
In addition to the royal family, several well-known individuals attended the memorial service. Musician Chris Minh Doky and ballet master Nikolaj Hübbe, who is currently on sick leave from the Royal Danish Theatre, were among the attendees. Art historian Bente Scavenius and businessman Fritz Schur also showed their respect.
Per Thornit had a significant influence on the royal family and was often referred to as King Frederik’s ‘reserve father’ (reservefar). Thornit joined Amalienborg Palace in the mid-1980s and closely followed Frederik and Joachim through their youth and into their marriages. He assisted Princesses Alexandra and Mary in finding their place within royal life.
In his book “Under the Beam” (Under bjælken), published in 2017 and written by Jens Andersen, Thornit described King Frederik as a person with an exceptional openness and ability to communicate with everyone, regardless of the circumstances. Thornit’s portrayal further highlighted Frederik’s natural approachability, which made him remarkably popular among the public.
After many years of service, Per Thornit retired in 2010 as the chief of the former Crown Prince couple. Even after his retirement, he remained a part of the royal household as a master of orders until the royal election in January of this year. Bittersweet memories and heartfelt respect marked this final tribute to a man who made an undeniable difference in royal service.