Ex-Minister Esben Lunde to Confirm Princess Athena in 2026

A former Danish minister will lead a royal confirmation ceremony, creating a unique event that blends politics, royalty, and public life in Denmark. Former Climate and Education Minister Esben Lunde Larsen will serve as the officiant for Princess Athena, the daughter of Prince Joachim and Princess Marie. The confirmation is scheduled for May 2026 at Schackenborg Castle. Larsen, now a pastor in the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Denmark, was asked by the royal family to perform the ceremony. He left politics in 2018 and was ordained as a priest in 2023. According to the announcement, the royal family specifically requested him for this role. The event brings together a former controversial politician with the royal family, marking a notable moment in Danish public life. Schackenborg Castle, the ceremony's location, has its own royal connections. This appointment represents a new chapter for Larsen following his transition from politics to the church. The confirmation of Princess Athena is a family event for Prince Joachim and Princess Marie, and the involvement of a former government minister as the officiant adds a distinct layer to the occasion. Planning for the May 2026 ceremony is now underway with Larsen confirmed in his role.