Podcast Summary: Todo Concostrina – Acontece que no es poco | El 'jarrón chino' de la monarquía danesa

Host: Nieves Concostrina (SER Podcast)
Air Date: July 6, 2022

Overview

In this episode, Nieves Concostrina delves into the peculiar and comedic story of the Danish monarchy’s “jarrón chino” – a metaphor for an awkward, out-of-place royal figure – focusing on Prince Henrik (Enrique de Laborde), the late husband of Queen Margrethe II of Denmark. She draws comparisons with other European royal scandals and “misfits,” using her signature irreverent, witty take on history and the peculiarities of royalty. The episode exposes the inner grievances of the Danish consort and how his stubbornness left a lasting mark on royal burial traditions (and expenses).

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The ‘Jarrón Chino’ of Royalty: Concept and Comparisons

• Nieves starts by defining “jarrón chino” as a valuable object that nobody knows what to do with—“los pongos” or awkwardly placed things that only cause trouble within royal families.
• She references recent news about Spanish and British royals, linking the term to figures like Juan Carlos and members of the Windsor and Savoy families.

“Son cosas molestas, son los pongos. ¿Dónde pongo esto? ¿Dónde pongo lo otro?” (Nieves, 02:28)

2. Introducing the Danish Royal Family & Prince Henrik

• Prince Henrik (Enrique de Laborde de Monpezat), a Frenchman who married Margrethe II, often felt marginalized in the Danish monarchy.
• Denmark, unlike many monarchies, had a reigning queen but refused to make her husband “King Consort,” relegating him to the title of Prince Consort—a significant point of contention.

“Dinamarca no tiene reyes de Dinamarca. Digo reyes varones, machos. Tenía y tiene. Reina de Dinamarca, reina titular. Margarita II es reina. Su marido era príncipe, pero no era príncipe titular, sino príncipe consorte, que es todavía menos que príncipe titular.” (Nieves, 06:56)

3. Henrik’s Grievances and Outbursts

• Frustrated at always being “second,” Henrik repeatedly demanded to be treated as King Consort—a demand denied traditionally across Europe.
• He publicly resented being outranked by his own son (the crown prince) in protocol.
• Throughout his life, he complained about almost everything: Danish food, the language, and palace life.

“Soy un perro al que le tiran un terrón de azúcar de vez en cuando.” (Príncipe Enrique, citado por Nieves, 10:36)

4. Scandals and Royal Drama

• Recalls infamous incidents:
  • In 2015, Henrik skipped his wife’s 75th birthday celebration, feigning illness while actually partying with friends in Venice and posting about it on social media (11:00).
  • He openly refused to be buried next to Margrethe in the royal tomb unless named King Consort, escalating his decades-long protest.

“El príncipe Enrique se negó a asistir al cumpleaños de mujer. Llamó a unos colegas y se fueron todos de copas a Venecia, en palacio, diciendo que el príncipe consorte tenía gripe. Y el príncipe en Venecia, subiendo fotos...” (Nieves, 10:59)

5. Deathbed Defiance: Funeral and Sarcophagus Scandal (11:49–13:52)

• Upon his death in 2018, his wishes were honored:
  • No state funeral.
  • His ashes were scattered in two places: half in the Baltic Sea, half in the gardens of Fredensborg Palace.
  • He was not interred next to Margrethe, breaking centuries of tradition.
• Ironically, a lavish double sarcophagus (valued at 3 million euros) intended for the royal couple remains half-empty.

“La reina Margarita había encargado ya un sarcófago doble lujosísimo para los dos... 3 milloncejos de euros para que se quede medio vacío.” (Nieves, 13:29)

6. Symbolism and Extravagance

• The double tomb, made from glass, granite, basalt, and marble from Denmark, the Faroe Islands, and Greenland, was designed to symbolize unity and transparency.
• Nieves delivers biting commentary about the costliness and symbolism of royal privilege.

“El sarcófago ha costado tres millones de euros el recipiente. Tres millones de euros.” (Nieves, 12:25)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Royal Blunders:
  “Todas las monarquías tienen varios... Son los que llaman la atención y con ello hacen peligrar la buena vida de todos los demás. En esto se llevan la palma los Borbones españoles, de largo.” (Nieves, 05:27)

• On Henrik’s Personality:
  “No estaba senil, lo que tenía era un cabreo del siete.” (Nieves, 10:20)

• On the Sarcophagus:
  “La base sobre la que se apoya el sarcófago, impresionante, está hecha con arenisca de Francia, que era el país natal de Enrique... Todo muy simbólico.” (Nieves, 13:03)

Segment Timestamps

• 00:52 — Introducción al tema del día: realeza y jarrones chinos (Nieves & Carlas)
• 01:49 — Inspiración y comparaciones con otras casas reales europeas
• 06:22 — Inicio de la historia de la monarquía danesa y el príncipe Enrique
• 07:41 — Enrique expresa su frustración públicamente
• 10:36 — Frase célebre: “Soy un perro al que le tiran un terrón de azúcar...”
• 11:00 — Desplante en el cumpleaños y escándalo en Venecia
• 11:49 — Última voluntad de Enrique: nada de funeral de Estado ni tumba compartida
• 12:25–13:50 — El sarcófago, los gastos, el simbolismo y cómo quedó medio vacío
• 13:52 — Destino final de las cenizas de Enrique

Tone and Style

Nieves maneuvers between sharp irony and playful sarcasm, making historical “royal drama” both accessible and entertaining. Her language is informal, peppered with colloquialisms and a Spanish-style irreverence toward royal tradition.

In Summary

Nieves Concostrina turns the odd and almost comedic saga of Denmark’s angry prince consort into a lesson on royal ego, privilege, and the absurdities of hereditary power. The episode stands out for its blend of historical fact, spicy anecdotes, and critical humor—anchored by the unforgettable image of a €3-million glass sarcophagus left half empty out of royal spite.