Author seeks clarity on Queen Margrethe’s family’s Nazi ties in Denmark

Author and journalist Peter Kramer continues to seek more information regarding Queen Margrethe’s family’s ties to Nazi Germany in the 1930s. This follows Queen Margrethe’s recent interview with Kristeligt Dagblad, where she refuted claims that her parents and grandparents had closer connections to the Nazi elite leading up to World War II than previously understood.

In the interview, the Queen mentioned that her parents met with Hermann Göring and noted that the then Crown Princess Ingrid found him “quite dreadful.” Additionally, she remarked that during an opera festival in Bayreuth, her father, King Frederik IX, was relieved not to encounter Adolf Hitler. The Queen expressed that the sensationalized nature of these discussions is unwarranted.

However, Peter Kramer disputes the notion that he has sensationalized the matter in his book, emphasizing that it presents understated facts about previously unknown events. He acknowledges Queen Margrethe’s recent engagement in the debate but insists that it highlights the necessity for further transparency regarding the royal family’s connections to Germany during the 1930s.

Kramer argues that while the Queen has shared her views post-war, it is crucial to investigate the period from 1930 to 1940, as few had sympathies for the Nazis after World War II. He has sought access to royal archives for additional clarity but reports difficulties in obtaining the requested information.

Despite some experts distancing themselves from the book’s implications, Kramer maintains that his work offers a calm depiction of significant episodes worth discussing, underscoring the complexity of the political landscape in Germany at that time.