Many people say that Joachim's children have so far done nothing wrong as they are just children/jung adults, so why are they being punished?
Exactly!
So far they haven't done anything wrong, but it's just the matter of time, because after all they are just humans and every human makes mistakes, it's perfectly normal.
But reaction of the media (and big part of the public) to situations like this when they happen isn't normal!
Times have changed drastically and royals are under the microscope 24/7. Every move they make is being watched and criticized. Damn if they do, damn if they don't.
But when "lesser" royals do mistake, the criticism, judgement and scrutiny they are then exposed to is not as harsh as when it's about a "senior" royal with higher rank and title.
So, removing princely title and highness status from Joachim's children now, not in the future, is a good move for both themselves long term and the monarchy.
They are not expelled from the royal family, they are always going to be members of the royal family as they are keeping their places in line of succession. They are always going to be included in all family events. Doors of all family residences will always be open to them. It's not like they've been kicked out in the street and that nobody in the family wants to see or talk to them ever again! And they aren't going to be without any titles: instead of HH prince/princess they are going to be HE count/countess.
Look at the late princess Elisabeth, she had to choose between keeping titles/status or getting married. The Queen doesn't want her grandchildren to ever have to make a similar decision where they cannot choose the path that makes them happy just because it isn't appropriate from the monarchy point of view.
Whether the Queen asked Joachim to talk to his family herself in person (but he or they refused), or she asked Joachim that he talks to his family instead of her, or Joachim himself asked that he will be the one to talk to his family and then tell her their mutual opinion - well, we'll probably never know.
All 3 options are possible.
I personally think that in lack of convincing arguments Joachim and his family decided to delay talking about it with the Queen for as long as possible and hope she would change her mind in time.
Then when the Queen gave them 5 days, they probably thought that she won't go through with it.
And when she did, they were left really shocked as they didn't expect it, so they decided to go to the media in search for sympathy, hoping that the media and the public will force the Queen to give up.
Two mistakes happened here:
1. The Queen should have insisted on first talking it thoroughly with the entire family instead of revealing her intentions to Joachim only and then letting him and his family drag it on and on, and then she should have waited for a bit until the initial shock and resentment calm down and only afterwards go public about it.
2. Joachim and his family obviously enjoy having royal titles and status and all the perks that go with it, but they should have more understanding for the Queen. She is a head of state and they should understand that sometimes (many times) she has to put the state first and that in long term, it will be better for them also if and when they find themselves in a situation that the public and the media won't approve. The public trial will be less harsh on them. So they should have had intensive talks all together with the Queen and not solving the problem via the media.
It sounds as if I don't like him or his family generally, but in fact the Schackenborgs have always been my favorites amongst the Danish royals (especially Marie
, I've been her biggest fan since day 1), just as I've always liked counts Christian and Ingolf and their sister Elisabeth. So I admit that I am quite disappointed with how this situation evolved.
I am certain that Carl Philip and Madeleine felt very very hurt and didn't like the King's decision at all about their children's status, but they obviously understand King's perspective as they acted incredibly mature and dignified.
Something Joachim and his family should have followed.
The best thing to do now is for us all to stop judging them all and let them solve it privately.
but the children of Hereditary Princess Charlotte of Monaco did not add any surnames or titles from their father, the former Count Pierre de Polignac. 
