The Danish royal house’s alleged Nazi sympathies are the subject of the book “Scratches in the paint – the royal house’s connections to Hitler’s Germany”, penned by Peter Kramer.
The book received mixed reviews when it came out in September, and the historian Steen Andersen, who is a senior researcher at the Danish National Archives, referred to it as “dirty literature”.
In an interview with the newspaper Kristeligt Dagblad, Queen Margrethe comments on the book. She calls the claim of Nazi sympathies exaggerated.
Terrible
Queen Margrete confirms that in 1937 the parents attended an exhibition organized by the German Hunters’ Association, which was then led by Adolf Hitler’s right-hand man, Field Marshal Hermann Göring.
– My parents attended a theater performance and a dinner with Göring. There were pictures of it in the magazines. My mother thought that Göring was quite terrifying. Yes, she really thought he was horrible. She didn’t appreciate him in the slightest, she says in the interview.
Wagner follower
Queen Margrethe further confirms that her father was on a private visit to the German city of Bayreuth several times in the years 1935 to 1939, as a result of his interest in the composer Richard Wagner.
Hitler was also a great fan of Wagner and a frequent guest in Bayreuth, but according to Queen Margrethe, King Frederik IX did not meet him there. And the Danish king was happy about that, she says.
In January, Queen Margrethe left the throne to her son Frederik.
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**Interview with Queen Margrethe on Allegations of Nazi Sympathies**
**Interviewer:** Your Majesty, thank you for joining us today. In light of the recent book “Scratches in the Paint,” which claims your family had ties to Nazi Germany, how do you respond to the allegations of your parents being Nazi sympathizers?
**Queen Margrethe:** Thank you for having me. I must say that these claims are exaggerated. While my parents did attend an exhibition organized by Hermann Göring and had a dinner with him, my mother found him quite terrifying and did not admire him at all.
**Interviewer:** Some critics have labeled this assertion as “dirty literature.” In your view, why do you think these claims about your family’s past are gaining traction?
**Queen Margrethe:** History can often be sensationalized. We must remember that attending social events does not equate to political endorsement. My father’s interests, particularly regarding Richard Wagner, should not be misinterpreted as a political alignment.
**Interviewer:** You mentioned that your father visited Bayreuth due to his admiration for Wagner, a composer closely associated with Hitler. Do you think there is an inherent conflict between appreciating art and the actions of the individuals who favored it?
**Queen Margrethe:** Absolutely. Art should be viewed independently of the politics surrounding its creators. My father appreciated Wagner’s music without endorsing the political ideologies of the time.
**Interviewer:** Given these revelations, how do you think the Danish public perceives the royal family’s history during such a significant period? Do you believe that understanding your family’s past affects the monarchy’s relationship with the people today?
**Queen Margrethe:** I think it’s important for the public to understand that history is complex. The actions or preferences of past royals should not overshadow the values we stand for today. Open discourse can lead to a deeper understanding of history.
**Interviewer:** As you reflect on these allegations, what message would you like to convey to those who might question the integrity of the Danish royal family in the eyes of history?
**Queen Margrethe:** I urge everyone to approach history with nuance and context. Simplifying it into labels such as ‘sympathizers’ does a disservice to the complexities of human relationships and society’s evolution.
**Interviewer:** Thank you, Your Majesty, for sharing your insights with us.
**Question for Readers:** Considering Queen Margrethe’s perspective, do you believe it is fair to label historical figures based on their social associations during contentious times, or should we strive for a more nuanced understanding of their actions?
