Henrik's happy birthday

Henrik, Prince Consort of Denmark went back to his roots on June 11th 2014 to mark his 80th birthday.  The little boy born in Talence, France in 1934 returned there exactly eight decades on with his family around him.  But while plenty of other 80th birthdays went unreported yesterday, this one drew plenty of attention.  Because the man returning to his boyhood home was bringing a royal family with him for the occasion.  Eighty years after the birth of Henri de Laborde de Monpezat, he came back as Prince Henrik of Denmark - consort to the oldest monarchy in the world.

Prince Henrik of Denmark with his family on his 80th birthday, June 11th 2014

At his side was his wife of 47 years, Queen Margrethe II of Denmark, as well as two future kings of the country he now calls home - Crown Prince Frederik and Prince Christian.  But while there have been many official celebrations for the Prince Consort's birthday in Denmark, this was a family affair with his other son, Joachim, and his other seven grandchildren running around in casual clothes while his two daughters-in-law, Mary and Marie, looked on.

Henrik of Denmark and his queen, Margrethe, with some of their grandchildren and their daughter-in-law, Crown Princess Mary

The prince's day was spent privately at the Chateau de Cayx with celebrations well away from the cameras, after the photo call had taken place.

The best present of all - Henrik surrounded by his family on his big birthday

Henrik and Margrethe were one of the first royal couples in Europe to declare publicly how they had married for love - setting a pattern for modern monarchical marriages that has seen the family tree of Europe's monarchies change forever.  And on his 80th birthday, the devotion between queen and consort was still clear to see.  Behind the celebrations and the history, a couple in love remained the foundation stone of Denmark's 21st century royals.

Henrik and Margrethe of Denmark