Muhler
Imperial Majesty
- Joined
- Apr 18, 2010
- Messages
- 17,234
- City
- Eastern Jutland
- Country
- Denmark
So, is it reasonable to think that this was the plan all along? That he took the course as a stepping stone to becoming a military attache in Paris?
I find that very reasonable.
You have to be invited to attend this course and to me it seems odd if President Macron suddenly extended an invitation to this course out of the blue.
There must have been a wish for a high ranking Danish officer to attend this course and thereby serve as some kind of in-depth liaison between DK and France.
A wish that was no doubt shared by Denmark, given the long military co-operation between the two countries.
Whether that invitation was general or specifically aimed at Joachim is of course open for debate.
- Personally I find it very plausible that Joachim was the top-contender and that France had been quietly told that DK has a fitting candidate, I.e. Joachim. So that France could extend an invitation at the appropriate moment.
Personally I also believe that Joachim for some time, perhaps since the sale of Schackenborg, has been looking for a permanent job outside the DRF. (*)
Of course it takes time to figure out what to do next. He was after all supposed to be the owner of a manor for life, while doing royal duties inbetween.
Then he has to prove his competence. He worked in a job in the Defense Command. And then a suitable job would have had to be found for him.
So my theory is that the job as a defense attache was found to be perfect for Joachim - and his family.
Okay, the previous defense attache has had to finish his tour of duty (usually three years) and Joachim would need to be up-qualified. So France would quietly have been approached: We have just the right candidate.
Of course France is not interested in an incompetent candidate, so an invitation to attend an advanced staff course was extended.
As mentioned before, normally defense attaches rotate every three years, but since France has invested a course in Joachim and Joachim is fond of France, has small children and is married to a woman with a French background it seems reasonable to expect that Joachim will apply for an extension of that period.
So he may very well serve for six years. And then perhaps take on a position in the NATO HQ or return to DK for a job in say the Defense Academy.
He could also become a liaison officer at the French Defense Command or something similar.
- There are a number of options ensuring that Joachim can remain in France if everything works out satisfactorily for all parties.
Prince Georg, the cousin to Frederik IX, was a defense attache in London for several periods.
So in three, five or six years from now, I find it very likely that it will be announced that Joachim will renounce his apanage and retire as a working member of the DRF.
It may also be announced that Joachim's younger children will renounce their royal titles and become Count of Montpezat. It's up to the monarch to decide whether Athena can have a title as well, but I think that can easily be arranged. Say a non-hereditary title of countess of Schackenborg or Marselisborg. (**)
(*) What we in DK call a "retrætejob" i.e. stepping back job, where you are ensured a nice cozy permanent employment until retirement.
(**) I understand hereditary titles of counts can traditionally only be bestowed through the male line, while females can only have a personal title. Just like Countess Alexandra.
Countess of Marselisborg would be neat, because the manor is the personal property of the DRF (the Monarch) and in that way Isabella and Josephine can have titles as well.
ADDED: The Minister for Defense has said that the Defense Ministry approached Joachim for this job, because he was the best qualified. - Whether Joachim knew he would be approached is of course another question.
The vacant position was also made public. - it has to, even if the right candidate has already been chosen.
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