Former royal confessor Erik Norman Svendsen dies aged 85

Former royal confessor and Bishop Erik Norman Svendsen has died aged 85 after a short illness, DR reports. He served as bishop of the Diocese of Copenhagen from 1992 to 2009 and as royal confessor, the royal household’s priest, from 2008 to 2018.

Svendsen married the then Crown Prince Frederik and Crown Princess Mary in May 2004. In 2006, he baptised their first child, the current Crown Prince Christian.

He also officiated at Prince Henrik’s funeral in 2018.

The Diocese of Copenhagen said it was a particular joy for Svendsen to be entrusted with the role of royal confessor. Bishop Peter Skov-Jakobsen wrote that there had been no doubt about his discreet pleasure in serving the Queen and the royal family.

King Frederik and Queen Mary have expressed their sorrow over Svendsen’s death and sent their warmest thoughts and condolences to his surviving family, the royal household’s communications department said in an email to Danish news agency Ritzau.

Svendsen is survived by his wife, children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.